Fire-Rated Cables E30 / E60 / E90 Explained
When fire-rated cables are legally required, which classification to use, approved cable types, and how to install them correctly to maintain certification.
What are fire-rated cables?
Fire-rated (also called "circuit integrity" or "fire survival") cables maintain electrical functionality during a fire for a specified duration. The classification indicates how long the cable continues to operate when exposed to fire conditions defined by EN 50200 / IEC 60331:
E30
30 minutes fire resistance
E60
60 minutes fire resistance
E90
90 minutes fire resistance
The test conditions follow EN 50200: the cable is subjected to flame at 750°C while carrying electrical load. The cable must continue to function (no insulation breakdown, no short circuit) for the rated duration. Some cables are additionally rated for water spray resistance (PH classification).
Which circuits require fire-rated cables?
European building codes (national variants of EN 1838, EN 50172, EN 62386) mandate fire-rated cables for:
Emergency escape lighting
E60 minimum (E90 recommended)EN 50172 / EN 1838. Must operate until evacuation complete.
Fire alarm system wiring
E30 minimum, E60 for large buildingsEN 54-14. Fire detection and alarm cables.
Smoke extraction fans (HVAC)
E90Smoke control fans must operate for full evacuation period.
Firefighter lifts
E90EN 81-72. Lifts for fire service use.
Voice alarm systems (VA)
E30 minimumEN 60849 / EN 54-16. Public address in fire emergency.
Sprinkler system control
E30Control wiring to sprinkler deluge valves.
Emergency power supply (EPS)
E60Cables feeding emergency lighting switchboards.
⚠️ Check your national standard
Requirements vary by country. German BauO, French Code du Travail, Polish PN-EN and others may specify different minimum ratings. Always verify with the local fire authority (AHJ) and building inspector.
Approved fire-rated cable types
JE-H(St)H Bd
E30 to E90 depending on productHalogen-free, fire-resistant telecom/data cable
Fire alarm systems, voice alarm, PA systems. Halogen-free — preferred in occupied buildings and public spaces.
FE180 / E90 cable
E90 (FE180 = 180°C for 90 min)Mica-glass tape insulated, PVC or LSZH jacketed
Smoke extraction motors, emergency power supplies, firefighter lifts. For highest fire survival requirements.
NYM-O (halogen-free equivalent)
Not fire-rated for circuit integrity, but low smoke emissionNHXMH-O — halogen-free NYM-type
General wiring in escape routes where smoke reduction is required but full circuit integrity is not.
LSOH / LSZH cables
Smoke class B1s or B2s — NOT E30/E60/E90Low Smoke Zero Halogen
Reduces toxic smoke in fire but does NOT maintain electrical function during fire. Do not confuse LSZH with fire-rated.
Critical installation rules
Fire-rated cable certification only holds if the complete installation system is tested and certified together. The cable alone is not enough:
- !Use fire-rated cable fixings and clips — standard plastic cable clips melt in fire and allow the cable to fall, breaking the circuit. Use steel clips or approved fire-rated plastic.
- !Conduit and trunking used with fire-rated cables must also be fire-rated (e.g. Thermaflex FRE90 conduit, Veritas fire-rated trunking).
- !Fire-rated cable should not pass through fire barriers without approved fire-stopping (intumescent collars, mortar pads). Every penetration must be sealed.
- !Do not mix fire-rated and standard cable on the same tray without segregation — if the standard cable burns and falls, it can drag the fire-rated cable.
- !The system certificate (cable + fixings + conduit + fire stopping) must be documented in the project file — inspectors require the complete system approval, not just the cable datasheet.
- !Minimum bend radius during installation must be respected — creasing the mica insulation layer can cause failure during the fire test.
LSZH vs fire-rated — the common confusion
✓ Fire-rated cable (E30/E60/E90)
- Maintains electrical function during fire
- Required for emergency systems
- IEC 60331 / EN 50200 tested
- May still emit smoke and toxic gases
✓ LSZH / LSOH cable
- Reduces smoke and toxic gas emission
- Required in escape routes and public areas
- EN 60332-3 / IEC 60754 tested
- Does NOT maintain function during fire
Some cables are both LSZH AND fire-rated — e.g. JE-H(St)H is halogen-free and fire-rated. This is the correct choice for escape route emergency lighting where both properties are required.
Emergency lighting panel with fire-rated infrastructure?
We design, supply and certify panels for emergency lighting, fire alarm and smoke extraction — including all fire-rated cable and conduit.
Request a project consultation →