Electronic product compliance
CPR cable testing supports quality, regulatory and product compliance teams when cables are placed on the EU market for permanent installation in construction works such as buildings, roads and bridges. The scope includes electrical power cables, control cables and data communication cables, including optical fibre cables, that form part of the fixed installation in buildings.
Under the Construction Products Regulation, cables used in construction works must demonstrate defined reaction-to-fire performance and be CE-marked before they can be legally placed on the EU market. Cables are classified according to CPR reaction-to-fire classes ranging from Aca to Fca, including additional parameters related to smoke production and acidity where applicable.
Testing measures characteristics such as flame spread, heat release, smoke production and acidity of combustion gases. The results may be used as evidence within the CPR conformity assessment framework, including type testing and Factory Production Control (FPC) and provide documented reaction-to-fire performance for technical documentation, Declarations of Performance and CE marking procedures.
Manufacturers are responsible for completing the conformity assessment procedure before affixing the CE mark. Importers placing cables on the market under their own name are subject to the same obligations. The service is part of our expertise in electronic product compliance and also includes, for example, testing LAN cables.
Challenges
Fire, smoke and acidity test results are difficult to align
Reaction-to-fire classification is based on several interrelated tests. When results across flame spread, heat release, smoke and acidity are inconsistent or incomplete, the combined test evidence cannot be used to establish a valid CPR classification.
Cable design changes invalidate previous test results
Changes in materials, insulation compounds or cable construction may fall outside the configuration covered by existing CPR test evidence. This requires new testing before the reaction-to-fire classification can be documented.
Missing documentation blocks CPR conformity procedures
Without traceable test reports, the reaction-to-fire classification cannot be documented and the Declaration of Performance cannot be issued.
Discuss reaction-to-fire testing for power, control and communication cables under the CPR. Contact our specialists regarding testing and assessment of cables.
Standards
Benefits
Documented reaction-to-fire performance for cable classification
Testing provides measured fire performance data used to determine CPR reaction-to-fire classes Aca to Fca in accordance with EN 13501-6.
Consistent evidence across required CPR fire tests
Fire, smoke, and acidity characteristics are determined using defined test methods in the CPR classification framework.
Traceable documentation for CPR technical files
Test reports provide structured documentation describing cable reaction-to-fire behaviour for inclusion in technical files and Declarations of Performance.
Service scope
CPR cable testing is performed within the framework of the Construction Products Regulation (EU 305/2011). The regulation applies to cables intended for permanent installation in construction works that require reaction-to-fire performance to be documented.
The scope includes electrical power cables, control cables, data communication cables, and optical fibre cables that form part of fixed building installations.
Reach out to Lars Lindskov Pedersen for more information.
