Abandoned cables – a hidden danger

"These cables have the potential to both fuel and spread a very large, very hot fire in concealed spaces in the event of a building fire.


Over the years, many types of cable made from a variety of materials have been installed in the concealed spaces of commercial and public buildings. Some of these materials were engineered to resist high heat, flame spread and smoke generation, while others were not. So in addition to fueling and spreading a fire, abandoned cables often generate large amounts of smoke, making the fire extremely difficult to find and fight.
The fire spread problem is further exacerbated when fire-stopped penetrations are disrupted and not adequately replace or protected when new cabling is installed in the same pathways as the old.


What is Abandoned Cable?
In general, abandoned cable is cable that is no longer used for voice and data communication and other low-voltage signaling circuits in buildings. The 2002 NEC Article 800 Communications Circuits defines abandoned cable as:


Installed communications cable that is not terminated at both ends at a connector or other equipment and not identified for future use with a tag.


New Codes and Standards
Recognizing the serious potential hazard from abandoned cable prompted the ENC and NFPA to write codes and standards requiring its removal.


The accessible portion of abandoned communications cables shall not be permitted to remain.


Code Compliance
The NEC is the most widely recognized and adopted model from which most states and local jurisdictions develop their codes. The specific requirements for the jurisdiction in which the building is located must be followed.


The question is who is ultimately responsible for code compliance.
It's important to note that in the event of a fire, both the building owner and tenants are likely to bear some responsibility.


Enforcement
The permitting process triggers inspections. Typically, electrical inspectors are responsible for inspecting the removal of abandoned cable and enforcing the code. Due to the potential fire hazard from accumulation of abandoned cable, fire and life safety inspectors, such as fire marshals, may also be involved in inspections and enforcement.


Removal of Abandoned Cable
The NEC does not address the issue of when abandoned cable must be removed. Most end-users initiate removal projects when new cabling systems are added, or when a major renovation is being done. Timing is up to local jurisdiction.


Another issue not addressed by the NEC is how removed abandoned cable should be disposed. Local code and statutory requirements may come into play. Some states do not allow disposal of these cables in landfills.
While the copper in cables if often recovered and recycled, the major problem is the large amount of plastic material used for insulate and jacketing.


The Future of Cable
Several leading cable manufactures have begun to address the cable fuel load problem using innovative fluoropolymer materials create limited combustible cabling. Limited combustible cables meet all primary NFPA fuel load, flame spread and smoke generation requirements for materials exposed to the airflow. They are also more easily recycled. As cable is removed, there are now new recycling options to capture the plastic waste streams and reuse them in new cable constructions." for more information see www.houstonrealtyadvisors.net or www.houstonrealtyadvisor.com