The test method described in these requirements is intended to evaluate the fire resistive performance of electrical cables as measured by functionality during a period of fire exposure, and following exposure to a hose stream.

To maintain the functionality of electrical cables during a fire exposure the cables are tested using a fire resistive barrier. The fire resistive barrier is the cable jacketing if the jacketing is designed to provide fire resistance. If the cable jacketing is not designed to provide fire resistance, the electrical cables are either placed within a fire resistive barrier or installed within an hourly rated fire resistive assembly (see ). Fire resistive cables intended to be installed with a non-fire resistive barrier (such as conduit) are tested with the non-fire resistive barrier included as part of the test specimen. Otherwise fire resistive cables incorporating a fire resistive jacket are tested without any barrier.

To demonstrate each cable’s ability to function during the test, voltage and current are applied to the cable during the fire exposure portion of the test, and the electrical and visual performance of the cable is monitored. The cable is not energized during the hose spray, but it is visually inspected and electrically tested after the hose spray.