N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 760.179: Section 760.179

Section 760.179 – Revise Section 760.179(B) to read as follows:

(B) Conductor Size. The size of conductors in single or multi-conductor cables shall not be smaller than 18 AWG.

Section 760.179 – Revise Section 760.179(D) to read as follows:

(D) Type FPLP. Type FPLP power-limited fire alarm plenum cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in ducts, plenums, and other space used for environmental air and shall also be listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low smoke–producing characteristics. Type FPLP power-limited fire alarm cable shall be listed with the following additional requirements:

(1) Type FPLP only; minimum insulation thickness 15 mils; minimum temperature 150 C.

(2) Red colored jacket overall; minimum thickness 25 mils.

(3) Cable shall bear additional description “ALSO CLASSIFIED FOR USE AS FIRE ALARM CABLE IN NEW YORK CITY,” and shall be legible without removing jacket.

Informational Note: 1 method of defining a cable that is low-smoke producing cable and fire-resistant cable is that the cable exhibits a maximum peak optical density of 0.50 or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a maximum flame spread distance of 5 ft (1.52 m) or less when tested in accordance with NFPA 262-2019, Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces.

Section 760.179 – Revise Section 760.179(E) to read as follows:

(E) DELETED.

Section 760.179(F) – Revise Section 760.179(F) to read as follows:

(F) DELETED.

Section 760.179 – Revise Section 760.179(G) to read as follows:

(G) Fire Alarm Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable or Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables that are used for survivability of critical circuits under fire conditions shall meet either 760.179(G)(1) or (G)(2).

Informational Note No. 1: Fire alarm circuit integrity (CI) cable and electrical circuit protective systems may be used for fire alarm circuits to comply with the survivability requirements of NFPA 72-2019, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 12.4.3 and 12.4.4, that the circuit maintain its electrical function during fire conditions for a defined period of time.

Informational Note No. 2: 1 method of defining circuit integrity (CI) cable or an electrical circuit protective system is by establishing a minimum 2-hour fire-resistive rating for the cable when tested in accordance with ANSI/UL 2196-2017, Standard for Fire Test for Circuit Integrity of Fire-Resistive Power, Instrumentation, Control and Data Cables

Informational Note No. 3: UL guide information for electrical circuit protective systems (FHIT) contains information on proper installation requirements for maintaining the fire rating.

(1) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cables. Circuit integrity (CI) cables specified in 760.179(D) and used for survivability of critical circuits shall have an additional classification using the suffix “CI.” Circuit integrity (CI) cables shall only be permitted to be installed in a raceway where specifically listed and marked as part of an electrical circuit protective system as covered in 760.179(G)(2).

(2) Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables specified in 760.179(D) and (G)(1), which are part of an electrical circuit protective system, shall be identified with the protective system number and hourly rating printed on the outer jacket of the cable and installed in accordance with the listing of the protective system.

Section 760.179 – Revise Section 760.179(H) to read as follows:

(H) DELETED.

Section 760.179 – Revise Section 760.179(I) to read as follows:

(I) Cable Marking. The cable shall be marked in accordance with subsection 760.179(D)(3) and its rating marked as “NYC Certified Fire Alarm Cable”. Cables that are listed for circuit integrity shall be identified with the suffix CI as defined in 760.179(G).

Informational Note: Voltage ratings on cables may be misinterpreted to suggest that the cables may be suitable for Class 1, electric light, and power applications.

Exception: Voltage markings shall be permitted where the cable has multiple listings and voltage marking is required for 1 or more of the listings.

Section 760.179 – Revise Section 760.179(J) to read as follows:

(J) Insulated Continuous Line-Type Fire Detectors. Insulated continuous line-type fire detectors shall be rated in accordance with 760.179(C), listed as being resistant to the spread of fire in accordance with 760.179(D), marked in accordance with 760.179(I), and the jacket compound shall have a high degree of abrasion resistance.