Date: July 10, 2025
Source: Wire & Cable Journal, published by Shanghai Electric Power Research Institute
Summary:
A groundbreaking study by Gao Jiefei, published in Wire & Cable, provides a detailed comparison of
flame retardant, fire-resistant, and combustion performance standards for building cables. The
research highlights critical differences in key performance indicators across major standards-GB/T
19666-2019, GB 31247-2014, and GA 306.1-2007-and offers tailored optimization strategies
for cable selection in diverse architectural environments.
Key Findings:
Standard Variations:
GB/T 19666-2019 focuses on unified production requirements, specifying combustion
temperatures of 750–830°C and flame spread limits of ≤2.5m.
GB 31247-2014, a partially mandatory standard, prioritizes fire safety, classifying cables into A
(950°C, 180min), B1, B2, and B3 tiers with stricter flame spread (≤1m for A-grade) and toxicity
thresholds.
GA 306.1-2007 supplements with environmental safety metrics like smoke toxicity and corrosion
resistance, often overlooked in other standards.
Performance Gaps:
Traditional cables (e.g., WDZB-YJV) may meet basic flame retardancy (B-grade) but fail B1-level
combustion benchmarks, such as total heat release (THR ≤10 MJ/m²).
Integrated solutions (e.g., dual-labeled WDZB-YJV/B1(d0,t0,a1)) with nano-additives can bridge
gaps, reducing THR by 50% while maintaining low smoke and toxicity.
Application-Specific Recommendations:
High-Rise Buildings: Prioritize GB 31247's A/B1-grade cables for extended fire resistance.
Public Spaces (e.g., metros, theaters): Emphasize GA 306.1's low-smoke, halogen-free cables (t0
toxicity, d0 dripping) to mitigate secondary hazards.
Complex Layouts (e.g., vertical shafts): Combine GB/T 19666's flame-spread limits with enhanced
drip resistance.
Case Study:
The analysis of Xiongan New Area's mixed-use complex (14,000m²) revealed that conventional
cables fell short of B1 standards. By adopting modified B1(d0,t0,a1) cables, the project achieved
compliance with both flame retardancy (≤10 MJ/m² THR) and environmental safety (CO ≤10mg/g,
HCN ≤80mg/g), enhancing evacuation and firefighting efficacy.
Future Directions:
Standard Harmonization: Merge flame retardant and combustion metrics to streamline testing
and design.
Cost-Effective Eco-Materials: Develop affordable, high-performance cables for mass adoption.
Software Integration: Update engineering tools (e.g., Glodon, Swire) to include combustion
performance data, preventing budget discrepancies.
Conclusion:
This study underscores the need for holistic cable selection, balancing fire resistance with
environmental safety. By aligning standards and leveraging material innovations, stakeholders can
significantly reduce fire risks while optimizing costs-a blueprint for global building safety
advancements.
