SIST EN 50289-4-12:2005

Communication cables - Specifications for test methods -- Part 4-12: Environmental test methods - Vertical flame spread test on bunched small communication cables

This part 4-12 of EN 50289 concerns small communication cables with a diameter equal or less than 14 mm, mounted on a test scale in bundles in order to obtain a total normal volume of non-metallic material equal to 0,5 l/m of test sample.
The application time is 20 min.
The tests proposed are for communication cables that require the testing of cables for low density installation.
The tests must be stipulated in the cable specifications, where the requirements must also be given.

Kommunikationskabel - Spezifikationen für Prüfverfahren -- Teil 4-12: Umweltprüfverfahren - Prüfung der vertikalen Ausbreitung von Flammen auf dünne Kommunikationskabelbündel

Câbles de communication - Spécifications des méthodes d'essai -- Partie 4-12: Méthodes d'essais d'environnement - Essai de propagation verticale de la flamme pour petits câbles de communication en faisceaux

Komunikacijski kabli – Specifikacije za preskušalne metode – 4-12. del: Okoljske preskušalne metode – Preskus snopov malih komunikacijskih kablov z navpičnim razpršenim plamenom

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2005
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: iTEL - Communication cables
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Feb-2005
• Due Date: 01-Feb-2005
• Completion Date: 01-Feb-2005
• Ref Project: EN 50289-4-12:2004 - Communication cables - Specifications for test methods - Part 4-12: Environmental test methods - Vertical flame spread test on bunched small communication cables

Overview

SIST EN 50289-4-12:2005 is a European standard detailing the vertical flame spread test on bunched small communication cables. Published by CLC (CENELEC), this standard focuses on environmental test methods for small communication cables with diameters up to 14 mm. It specifies procedures to evaluate how flames spread vertically when applied to bundles of these cables, simulating conditions relevant to low-density cable installations.

This test method is critical for ensuring the fire safety of communication cables used in telecommunications, data centers, and building infrastructures. The standard provides a comprehensive methodology to assess fire resistance, improve cable design for fire safety, and comply with regulatory requirements.

Key Topics

• Scope & Applicability
  The standard applies to small communication cables (diameter ≤ 14 mm), bundled to achieve a total normal volume of non-metallic material around 0.5 liters per meter of test sample. The flame is applied for 20 minutes to assess flame spread in low-density installations.

• Test Setup
  Bundles of cable sections are arranged with approximately 30 mm diameter bundles and 15 mm spacing, twisted with a lay length roughly 15 times the bundle diameter. A propane ribbon burner is used as the ignition source, consistent with EN 50266-1 specifications.

• Material Volume Calculation
  Precise measurement of the density and volume of non-metallic cable components is essential for determining the number of cable sections per bundle. This ensures accurate replication of installation densities in the test.

• Test Procedure
  Samples are conditioned at 20 ± 10 °C for at least 16 hours, tested over a 20-minute flame application period, and monitored up to one hour for continued combustion or incandescence.

• Evaluation Criteria
  Flame spread distance is measured to two decimal places from the burner base to the charred zone's limit, identified by a change from elastic to brittle surface behavior. Performance limits default to a maximum allowable burnt length of 2.50 m unless otherwise stated by specific cable standards.

• Cross-Checking & Reporting
  If test results conflict, two repeat tests are conducted to verify compliance. Test reports must include detailed cable descriptions, test conditions, volume measurements, flame application duration, and extent of damage.

Applications

SIST EN 50289-4-12:2005 is essential for manufacturers, testing laboratories, and certification bodies that:

• Design and certify small communication cables for fire resistance in building installations
• Assess flame propagation risks in network infrastructure, including telephone, data, and control cables
• Ensure compliance with fire safety regulations and building codes requiring controlled flame spread behavior
• Enhance fire safety measures in low-density cable installations, improving occupant safety and property protection
• Support quality assurance and validation processes for cable performance under environmental fire conditions

This standard underpins safer cable deployment in commercial, industrial, and residential settings where controlling flame propagation is crucial.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to communication cable testing and fire safety evaluation, EN 50289-4-12 should be used alongside:

• EN 50266-1 – Common test methods for cables under fire conditions: Vertical flame spread of vertically-mounted bunched wires or cables (specifies test apparatus and ignition source)
• EN 60695-4 – Fire hazard testing terminology and definitions used in fire tests
• EN 60811-1-3 – Test methods for insulating and sheathing materials of cables, including density and shrinkage, relevant for volume calculations in EN 50289-4-12 test samples

Compliance with these related standards ensures a harmonized and rigorous framework for communication cable fire performance assessment.

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Keywords: EN 50289-4-12, vertical flame spread test, communication cables, environmental test methods, low-density installation cables, cable fire safety, CENELEC standards, small communication cables, non-metallic material volume, propane ribbon burner test, cable flame propagation test, fire resistance testing, cable bundle testing.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI SIST EN 50289-4-12:2005

STANDARD
februar 2005
Komunikacijski kabli – Specifikacije za preskušalne metode – 4-12. del:
Okoljske preskušalne metode – Preskus snopov malih komunikacijskih
kablov z navpičnim razpršenim plamenom
Communication cables - Specifications for test methods - Part 4-12: Environmental
test methods - Vertical flame spread test on bunched small communication cables
ICS 33.120.10 Referenčna številka
©  Standard je založil in izdal Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje ali kopiranje celote ali delov tega dokumenta ni dovoljeno

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50289-4-12
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM June 2004
ICS 13.220.40; 33.120.10
English version
Communication cables –
Specifications for test methods
Part 4-12: Environmental test methods –
Vertical flame spread test on bunched small communication cables

Câbles de communication –  Kommunikationskabel –
Spécifications des méthodes d'essai Spezifikationen für Prüfverfahren
Partie 4-12: Méthodes d'essais Teil 4-12: Umweltprüfverfahren –
d'environnement – Prüfung der vertikalen Ausbreitung von
Essai de propagation verticale Flammen auf dünne
de la flamme pour petits câbles Kommunikationskabelbündel
de communication en faisceaux
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2004-02-01. CENELEC members are bound to
comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and
notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2004 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.

Ref. No. EN 50289-4-12:2004 E
Foreword
This European Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee CENELEC TC 46X, Communication
cables.
The text of the draft was submitted to the Unique Acceptance Procedure and was approved by
CENELEC as EN 50289-4-12 on 2004-02-01.

The following dates were fixed:

– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2005-02-01

– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2007-02-01
____________
- 3 - EN 50289-4-12:2004
Contents
1 Scope. 4

2 Normative references. 4

3 Definitions. 4

4 Test apparatus. 4

5 Test procedure. 5

6 Evaluation of the test results . 6

7 Performance requirements. 6

8 Procedure for cross-checking . 6

9 Test report. 7

1 Scope
This part 4-12 of EN 50289 concerns small communication cables with a diameter equal or less than
14 mm, mounted on a test scale in bundles in order to obtain a total normal volume of non-metallic
material equal to 0,5 l/m of test sample.

The application time is 20 min.

The tests proposed are for communication cables that require the testing of cables for low density
installation.
The tests must be stipulated in the cable specifications, where the requirements must also be given.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 50266-1 Common test methods for cables under fire conditions - Test for vertical flame
spread of vertically-mounted bunched wires or cables
Part 1: Apparatus
EN 60695-4 Fire hazard testing -- Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests (IEC 60695-4)

EN 60811-1-3 Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables – Common test
methods
Part 1-3: General application - Methods for determining the density - Water
absorption tests - Shrinkage test (IEC 60811-1-3)

3 Definitions
For the purpose of the present EN
...