Fire rating 5.3 explained simply

The fire rating describes a material’s fire and smoke behaviour. It consists of a flammability grade and a smoke grade.

Rating 5.3 stands for flame-retardant materials with low smoke formation. According to the VKF assignment, it corresponds to reaction-to-fire group RF2 with a low contribution to fire.

For fire-protection-relevant electrical installations, materials must be selected to suit the installation location and application. The applicable requirements are particularly important where cables are routed on or inside combustible building components.

The existing plica page refers to NIN 7.12.5.2.1.2. The current standard, valid product evidence and project-specific requirements are decisive for the actual planning.

Photovoltaic DC main cables must be installed as fixed wiring. The insulation materials used must meet increased insulation requirements, for example by using halogen-free materials. PVC insulation is not suitable for this purpose.

Where the possible short-circuit current does not exceed, or only slightly exceeds, the operating current, the NIN rule reproduced on the existing page does not require additional short-circuit protection measures.

Important for combustible building components

Where these cables run over combustible building components or are installed inside them, they must be routed in flame-retardant conduits or trunking classified RF2 or BKZ 5.2, or in non-combustible solutions classified RF1 or BKZ 6q or BKZ 6. Cables with a metallic sheath or concentric conductor may also be used. PVC insulation is unsuitable.

This short plica video explains why fire rating 5.3 is important for plastic conduits used in fire-protection-relevant electrical installations.

Tested plica products with fire rating 5.3

The plica label makes appropriately tested plastic conduits easier to identify. Suitable products and versions are displayed below this content section.