Cabe and Wire Storage

[Seanster25]

Need help with commodity classification of the following materials used for wire and cable
on large wooden or plastic spools.

Cross-Linked Polyethylene - XLPE,
Ethylene-Propylene Rubber - EPR,
Polyvinyl Chloride - PVC,
Polyethylene - PE,

NFPA does assist with the PVC type but nothing for any other. I was thinking that as the jacketed cable and wire is exposed,
I need to consider the commodity an exposed Group A Plastic.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Sean

 

[cdafd]

Click through this on plastic

http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ifc/2012/icod_ifc_2012_32_par012.htm

 

[skdesigner]

NFPA 13-2010 5.6.4.1 lists all of them except PEX, specifically. Given that it is a form of polyethylene, a conservative assumption might be made for Group A plastics as well. Not an FPE, just wanted to point out that NFPA 13 does indeed assist with them.

 

[Seanster25]

Thanks for the comments.

My approach would be to classify it as a Gr. A Plastic I just wanted to see if anyone has dealt with this product in the past.

It looks like many have been treating wire and cable as if it is all PVC and that is incorrect as many of the compounds used nowadays are of other plastics besides PVC which is a Gr. C plastic material.

You know how it is - "how come this has never been a problem before?" That's the classic line from a client.

 

[cdafd]

Ethylene-Propylene Rubber - EPR, :::



3203.7.1 Group A plastics.
Group A plastics are plastic materials having a heat of combustion that is much higher than that of ordinary combustibles, and a burning rate higher than that of Group B plastics. Examples of Group A plastics include, but are not limited to, the following:

EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber)


Polyethylene - PE,:::

Polyethylene

http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ifc/2012/icod_ifc_2012_32_par013.htm

 

[stookeyfpe]

I suggest you go to NFPA 13 (2010 or 2013 edition) Table A.5.6.3.2 for the wire/conductors on wood or steel spools (Class II commodity), Table A.5.6.3.4 for PVC cable on plastic spools (Class IV commodity), and idle plastic spools (Table A.5.6.4.1), which are classified as Unexposed, Uncartoned Group A plastics.

The selected polymers are all classified as Group A plastics. When these polymers are manufactured for electrical cable service, they are required by the NEC to be listed, and the various UL listings generally evaluate the cable for flammability. In many cases the cable manufacturer will add certain chemicals which increases the insulating material ignition resistance and slow its burning rate. You would need to talk to the cable manufacturer about this, but this has been my experience.

 

[Seanster25]

That's a great comment Stookey.

I am meeting with the client and ask about the listings. Thanks.