fire alarm containment colour

Question

I was wondering if there is any regulation saying to use only RED conduit, trunking, boxes etc for fire alarm wiring ? 
 It relates to the installation of alarm system in prefabricated switchgear enclosures to be precise. 
 We normally use galvanised containment but this time our customer would like to have PVC containment instead. 
 Is white containment will be also fine in this case?

mapj1 · Accepted Answer

There is no regulatory need for the wiring to be red, though by convention it usually is, and it certainly should be something unique so as to be not easily confused with the normal wiring. 
 I am not aware of anything about containment, but the same principles about avoiding mistaken identity should apply - after all you did not paint the galvanized metal red I assume, but equally it was not shared with or looking like something else ! 
 More generally PVC is not great in a fire, and burns quite hot and gives off nasty vapours and leaves a conductive char - while permitted, its not a great choice for containing alarm cables. 
 There are white plastics that look like but are not actually PVC, though some are a bit less forgiving of the drill bit, and need a change of technique. 
 Mike. 
 PS 
 While not in the UK I have seen colour spots and bands used at the ends of containment to ident things where there is scope for ambiguity and opening the wrong one. - there is no such obligation here, but labels or some scheme like that can be helpful.

fire alarm containment colour

Community Rules & Guidelines