EN 50289-4-11:2002

Communication cables - Specifications for test methods - Part 4-11: Environmental test methods - A horizontal integrated fire test method

This Part 4-11 of EN 50289 specifies a horizontal integrated fire test method for determining flame-propagation distance, optical smoke density, total heat release, heat release rate, time to ignition and flaming droplets/particles for communication cables. The cables are tested in a representative installed condition.

Kommunikationskabel - Spezifikationen für Prüfverfahren - Teil 4-11: Umweltprüfverfahren - Horizontale Brandprüfung

Câbles de communication - Spécifications des méthodes d'essai - Partie 4-11: Méthodes d'essais d'environnement - Méthode intégrée d'essai horizontal au feu

Communication cables - Specifications for test methods - Part 4-11: Environmental test methods - A horizontal integrated fire test method

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 19-Mar-2002
• Withdrawal Date: 31-Jul-2004
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 46X - Communication cables
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 46 - IEC_TC_46
• Parallel Committee: IEC/TC 46 - IEC_TC_46
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 26-May-2021
• Completion Date: 20-Feb-2026
• Mandate: M/212 - ICT - metallic and optical cables and cabling systems
• Ref Project: SIST EN 50289-4-11:2002 - Communication cables - Specifications for test methods -- Part 4-11: Environmental test methods - A horizontal integrated fire test method

Relations

• Referred By: EN 50290-4-1:2014 - Communication cables - Part 4-1: General considerations for the use of cables - Environmental conditions and safety aspects
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026

Overview

EN 50289-4-11:2002 (CLC) defines a horizontal integrated fire test method for communication cables. The standard specifies how to test cables in a representative installed condition to determine critical fire performance characteristics including flame-propagation distance, optical smoke density, total heat release, heat release rate, time to ignition and flaming droplets/particles. It is intended for laboratory evaluation of cable behaviour under horizontal fire exposure.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope of measurements: flame travel distance, optical smoke density (OD), smoke release rate, peak and total heat release, heat release rate curve, time-to-ignition and flaming droplets/particles.
• Representative installed condition: cables are mounted and tested in configurations that mimic real installations (ladder trays, mounting details described).
• Test environment: the fire-test room must allow free inflow of air and be maintained at 23 °C ± 3 °C, 50 % ± 5 % relative humidity and a controlled slight overpressure (0 to 12 Pa above ambient).
• Test apparatus (specified components): air-inlet chamber and shutter, horizontal fire-test chamber with observation windows and refractory lining, dual-port gas burner, removable insulated top cover, exhaust transition and ducting, exhaust blower/damper, smoke measurement and gas-sampling systems, heat release rate measurement system.
• Apparatus details and tolerances: the standard provides dimensional and positioning tolerances for burner placement, air inlet, turbulence baffles and observation windows, as well as material and thermal properties for the removable top cover.
• Procedures and quality control: specimen preparation and conditioning, calibration and maintenance of equipment (airflow, smoke and gas analysers, heat-release measurement), data acquisition, calculation methods and reporting requirements are included.

Applications and who uses it

EN 50289-4-11 is used by:

• Cable manufacturers for product development and comparative fire-performance testing.
• Independent test laboratories conducting standardized fire tests for certification and compliance.
• Specifiers, system integrators and installers who need data on flame spread, smoke production and heat release to select appropriate communication cabling for buildings and installations.
• Fire safety engineers and authorities assessing cable fire behaviour during risk analysis, code compliance and failure-mode studies.

Practical uses include type approval, material selection, product benchmarking, and supporting compliance with building and fire safety regulations where cable fire performance is a factor.

Related standards

• EN 60695-4 (fire hazard testing terminology) is normative to EN 50289-4-11.
• EN 50289 is a multi-part series; other parts cover additional test methods and cable categories (refer to the EN 50289 family for related procedures).

Keywords: EN 50289-4-11, communication cables, horizontal integrated fire test, flame propagation, optical smoke density, heat release rate, time to ignition, cable fire testing.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Communication cables - Specifications for test methods - Part 4-11: Environmental test methods - A horizontal integrated fire test methodKommunikationskabel - Spezifikationen für Prüfverfahren -- Teil 4-11: Umweltprüfverfahren - Horizontale BrandprüfungCâbles de communication - Spécifications des méthodes d'essai -- Partie 4-11: Méthodes d'essais d'environnement - Méthode intégrée d'essai horizontal au feuCommunication cables - Specifications for test methods -- Part 4-11: Environmental test methods - A horizontal integrated fire test method33.120.10Koaksialni kabli. ValovodiCoaxial cables. Waveguides13.220.40Sposobnost vžiga in obnašanje materialov in proizvodov pri gorenjuIgnitability and burning behaviour of materials and productsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 50289-4-11:2002SIST EN 50289-4-11:2002en01-september-2002SIST EN 50289-4-11:2002SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDEN 50289-4-11NORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMMarch 2002CENELECEuropean Committee for Electrotechnical StandardizationComité Européen de Normalisation ElectrotechniqueEuropäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische NormungCentral Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels© 2002 CENELEC -All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.Ref. No. EN 50289-4-11:2002 EICS 13.220.40; 33.120.10English versionCommunication cables –Specifications for test methodsPart 4-11: Environmental test methods –A horizontal integrated fire test methodCâbles de communication –Spécifications des méthodes d'essaiPartie 4-11: Méthodes d'essaisd'environnement –Méthode intégrée d'essaihorizontal au feuKommunikationskabel –Spezifikationen für PrüfverfahrenTeil 4-11: Umweltprüfverfahren -Horizontale BrandprüfungThis European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2001-11-01. CENELEC members are bound tocomply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration.Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained onapplication to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any otherlanguage made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language andnotified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands,Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.SIST EN 50289-4-11:2002

- 3 -EN 50289-4-11:2002ContentsPage1Scope.52Normative references.53Definitions, symbols and abbreviations.54Test environment.55Test apparatus.55.1Air-inlet chamber.65.2Air-inlet shutter.65.3Fire-test chamber.75.4Gas burner.75.5Removable top cover.95.6Exhaust transition.105.7Exhaust duct.105.8Exhaust duct velocity measurement system.105.9Smoke measurement system.115.10Smoke release rate measurement system.125.11Exhaust duct damper.125.12Exhaust blower.125.13Fire-test chamber airflow system.125.14Ladder cable tray.135.15Fire-test chamber temperature measurement instruments.145.16Data acquisition equipment.145.17Heat release rate measurement system.156Test specimens.157Calibration and maintenance of test equipment.167.1Maintenance.167.2Frequency of calibration.167.3Airflow.167.3.1Air leakage test.167.3.2Supplemental air leakage test.167.3.3Velocity traverse test.167.4Smoke measurement system calibration test.177.5Fuel.177.6Reinforced inorganic cement board test.187.6.1Temperature preheat.187.6.2Temperature history test.187.7Standard insulated conductor test.197.8Procedures for calibration of heat release rate measurement equipment.207.8.1Analyser calibration.207.8.2Delay time.207.8.3Calibration test.20SIST EN 50289-4-11:2002

- 5 -EN 50289-4-11:20021ScopeThis Part 4-11 of EN 50289 specifies a horizontal integrated fire test method for determiningflame-propagation distance, optical smoke density, total heat release, heat release rate, time toignition and flaming droplets/particles for communication cables.The cables are tested in a representative installed condition.2Normative referencesThis standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the citedpublications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisionsof these publications apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it byamendment or revision. For undated references, the latest edition of the cited publicationapplies, together with any amendments.EN 60695-4Fire hazard testing - Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests (IEC 60695-4)3 DefinitionsFor the purposes of this European Standard, the definitions of EN 60695-4 and the followingapply:3.1flame travel distancedistance that the flame travels beyond the extent of the gas burner flame3.2optical density of smoke (OD)smoke obscuration described in terms of logarithmic ratio of initial light intensity toinstantaneous light intensity3.3time-to-ignitionfirst occurrence of initiation of combustion4Test environmentThe fire-test room in which the test chamber and smoke measurement system are located shallhave provision for a free inflow of air to maintain the room at controlled pressure of 0 Pa to12 Pa of water column greater than ambient barometric pressure and at a temperature of 23 °C± 3 °C and relative humidity of 50 % ± 5 % throughout each test run. The fire-test room andsmoke measurement area shall have controllable lighting.5Test apparatusThe fire-test apparatus shall consist of the following:a) air-inlet chamber;b) air-inlet shutter;SIST EN 50289-4-11:2002

- 7 -EN 50289-4-11:20025.3Fire-test chamberThe fire-test chamber shall consist of a horizontal duct of the shapes and sizes shown inFigure 2 and Figure 3. The sides and base of the duct shall be lined with insulating masonry,consisting of refractory fire brick, as illustrated in Figure 3. One side shall be provided with arow of two panes of 6 mm thick high temperature glass pressure tight observation windows,with the inside pane mounted flush with the inner wall (see Figure 3).The exposed window area shall be 70 mm ± 6,4 mm x 280 mm ± 38 mm). The windows shallbe located so that the gas burner and the length of the specimens being tested, from the pointat which the test fire ends, can be observed from outside the fire-test chamber.The top cover support ledges shall be fabricated of a structural material capable of withstandingabuse of continuous testing. The ledges shall be level with respect to length and width of thechamber and with respect to each other.To provide air turbulence for combustion, turbulence baffles shall be provided by positioning six229 mm x 114 mm x 64 mm thick refractory fire bricks (long dimension vertical and 114 mmdimension parallel to the wall) along the side walls of the chamber at distances of2,13 m ± 152 mm, 3,66 m ± 152 mm, and 6,10 m ± 152 mm, on the window side (do notobstruct the windows) and 1,37 m ± 152 mm, 2,90 m ± 152 mm, and 4,88 m ± 152 mm on theopposite side, as measured from the center line of the gas burner to the center line of the firebricks.5.4Gas burnerOne end of the test chamber, designated as the air-inlet end in Figure 2, shall be provided witha dual port gas burner, delivering flames upward, to engulf the test specimens. As shown inFigure 3, the burner shall be positioned transversely to each side of the center line of thefurnace so that the flame is evenly distributed over the width of the specimens. The burner shallbe spaced 292 mm ± 6 mm from the air-inlet end of the test chamber, and 191 mm ± 6 mmbelow the removable top cover (see Figure 2 and Figure 3). The burner shall be located1 320 mm ± 51 mm downstream of the air-inlet shutter, as measured from the burner centerline to the outside surface of the shutter. Gas to the burner shall be provided through a singleinlet pipe, distributed to each port burner through a tee-section. The outlet shall be a nominal19 mm elbow. The plane of the ports shall be parallel to the chamber floor, such that the gas isdirected upward toward the specimen. Each port shall be positioned with its center line102 mm ± 6 mm on each side of the center line of the fire-test chamber so that the burnerflame is evenly distributed (see Figure 3). The gas burner should be ignited remotely using anelectronic ignition system. The controls used to maintain a constant flow of methane gas to theburners shall consist of the following:a) a pressure regulator;b) a gas meter calibrated to read in increments of not more than 2,8 l;c) a gauge to indicate gas pressure in Pa (or inches of water);d) a quick-acting gas shutoff valve;e) a gas metering valve;f) an orifice plate in combination with a manometer to assist in maintaining uniform gas-flowconditions.Alternative control equipment, if shown to be equivalent, shall be permitted.SIST EN 50289-4-11:2002

- 9 -EN 50289-4-11:2002NOTETolerances are contained in applicable subclauses.Figure 3 - Cross-section of the fire test chamber (section B-B, Figure 2)5.5Removable top coverThe removable top cover shall consist of a metal and mineral insulation composite unit whoseinsulation consists of nominal 51 mm ± 6 mm thick mineral composition material. The top unit isshown in Figure 3 and shall completely cover the fire-test chamber. The metal and mineralcomposite material shall have physical characteristics as follows:a) maximum effective use temperature of not less than 650 °C;b) bulk density of 335 kg/m3 ± 20 kg/m3 ;c) thermal conductivity of 0,072 W/(m.K) to 0,102 W/(m.K) at 150 °C to 370 °C;d) KpC product of 1 x 104 (W2.s)/(m2.K2) to 4 x 104 (W2.s)/(m2.K2).KpC is equal to the thermal conductivity times the density times the specific heat.The entire top-panel unit shall be protected with flat sections of high-density (nominally1 760 kg/m3 6 mm thick) mineral-fibre/cement board maintained in an unwarped and uncrackedcondition through continued replacement. While in place, the top panel shall rest on a nominal3 mm thick woven fibreglass belting, positioned on the top cover support ledges. The top panelshall be completely sealed against the leakage of air into the fire-test chamber during the test.A water-filled trough, as shown in Figure 3 has been found suitable for this purpose.SIST EN 50289-4-11:2002

of water column.The temperature of the exhaust gas is measured upstream 152 mm from the probe and at thecenter line of the duct, with a 0,32 mm diameter (28 AWG) Type K thermocouple having anInconel sheath.SIST EN 50289-4-11:2002

- 11 -EN 50289-4-11:2002NOTETolerances are contained in applicable subclauses.Figure 4 - Schematic of the exhaust transition5.9Smoke measurement systemA 12-V sealed-beam, clear lens, auto spot lamp shall be mounted on a horizontal section of theexhaust duct (see Figure 5). The lamp shall be located at a point that is preceded by a straightrun of round pipe at least 4,9 m and not greater than 5,5 m, from the vent end of the exhausttransition section. The light beam shall be directed upward along the vertical axis of the exhaustduct. A photoelectric cell having an output directly proportional to the amount of light receivedshall be mounted over the light source, with an overall light-to-cell path distance of910 mm ± 50 mm. The light source and photoelectric cell shall be located such that they areopen to the environment of the test room. The cylindrical light beam shall pass through76 mm ± 3 mm diameter openings at the top and bottom of the 406 mm inside diameter duct,with the resultant light beam centered on the photoelectric cell. The cell shall be connected torecording devices that indicate the attenuation of incident light due to particulate matter, anddue to other effluents, in the passing smoke. Detailed engineering drawings are located inannex C.SIST EN 50289-4-11:2002

- 13 -EN 50289-4-11:2002Movement of air throughout the exhaust duct shall be by induced draft. The draft-inducingsystem shall have a total draft capacity of at least 37 Pa of water column with the specimens inplace, with the shutter at the air-inlet end open to its normal position, and with the exhaustdamper in the wide-open position (see section C-C of Figure 6). A draft-gauge manometer toindicate static pressure shall be inserted through the top at the mid width of the tunnel,25 mm ± 13 mm below the ceiling, and 380 mm ± 13 mm downstream of the air intake shutteras shown in section A-A of Figure 2.5.14Ladder cable trayThe ladder-type cable tray used to support the open-cable test specimens or the cables-in-traytest specimens is shown in Figure 7. The tray shall be fabricated from cold-rolled steel of350 MPa minimum tensile strength. The solid bar stock side rails shall be38 mm ± 3 mm x 10 mm ± 3 mm, as shown in Figure 7. The C-shaped channel rungs shall be13 mm ± 3 mm x 25 mm ± 3 mm x 3 mm ± 1 mm structural channels, as shown in section A-Ain Figure 7. Each rung shall be 286 mm ± 3 mm long. The rungs shall be welded to the siderails 299 mm ± 3 mm on centers along the tray length. The tray shall consist of one or moresections having a total assembled length of 7,3 m ± 51mm and shall be supported with a totalof 16 supports spaced along the length of the tray. The tray supports, as shown in Figure 7,shall be fabricated from bar steel.NOTETolerances are contained in applicable subclauses.Figure 6 - Location of exhaust transition, exhaust duct, smoke measurement systemand damperSIST EN 50289-4-11:2002

- 15 -EN 50289-4-11:20025.17Heat release rate measurement systemThe heat release rate equipment consists of the airflow measurement system described in 5.8,and gas analysis and sampling equipment described herein.The gas analysis and sampling equipment shall consist of the following:a) stainless steel gas sampling tube, located in the exhaust duct to obtain a continuouslyflowing sample, for determining the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas as a functionof time;b) particulate filters to remove particulate smoke;c) ice bath, drierite, and silica gel to remove moisture from the gas sample;d) ascarite to remove carbon dioxide;e) pump and flow control devices;f) oxygen analyser.The filters and water trap shall be placed in line ahead of the analyser to remove particulate andwater. The oxygen analyser shall be capable of measuring the oxygen concentration in therange from 0 % to 21 % with a full-scale accuracy of ± 0,25 %. The signal from the oxygenanalyser shall be within 10 % of its final value within 30 s after a step change is introduced inthe composition of the gas stream flowing past the inlet to the gas sampling tube. A typicalarrangement of the heat release rate gas sampling equipment is shown in Figure 8.6Test specimensTest specimens shall consist of 7,32 m ± 152 mm lengths of cables installed in a single layeracross the bottom of the cable tray as shown in Figure 3.Figure 8 - Schematic of gas sampling systemSIST EN 50289-4-11:2002
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