In summary, for a fire performance cable to meet either of the two burn test classes of cable (this also includes water and mechanical shock applied during the test of one sample) called for by BS5839-1:2002 and therefore to be suitable for use on the installation of fire systems.

'Standard' cable - BS5839-1:2002 26.2d must meet the requirements of

 

BS EN50200: 2000 PH30

BS8438-1: 2003

BS7629-1: 1994

BS6384-1: 1997 Clause 11 CWZ

 

'Enhanced' cable - BS5839-1:2002 26.2e must meet the requirements of

 

BS EN50200: 2000 PH120

BS8438-2: 2003

BS7629-1: 1994

BS6384-1: 1997 Clause 11 CWZ

In addition both classes of fire cable must meet the standards applicable for low smoke and zero halogen.

History of current standard

When BS5839-1:2002 was published in November 2002 the section on “Cables, wiring and other interconnections” was heavily revised from the previous 1988 edition. The previous edition BS5839:1988 had used BS7629-1 and BS6387 Cat. CWZ  “Specification for performance requirements for cables required to maintain circuit integrity under fire conditions” as a series of tests to demonstrate the suitability of fire resistant cables.

The 2002 edition states that “…it is now considered that the temperatures, durations and methodology of the tests require revision for cables of fire alarm systems complying with this part of BS5839” with reference to  BS EN50200: 2000 for the test procedure, category  PH 30 for "Standard Fire Performance Cables" and PH120 for "Enhanced Fire Performance Cables". When the new BS5839:2002 standard was adopted in July 2002 the new fire performance test, EN50200 had still not been ratified to include the test for Fire and simultaneous fire, water and mechanical shock test but is now fully ratified and is used with reference to the introduction of BS8434: 2003.

In August 2003, BS8434:2003 was released as a guide for the  “Method of test for resistance to fire of unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits” but with modifications and additional requirements, this standard is to be used in conjunction with EN50200:2000 as it detail how to test with fire and fire, water and mechanical shock and this standard is now fully ratified for use with BS5839-1 2002.

The new amendments appear in BS5839-1:2002 Clause 26.2 "d" and "e". Clause "d" is for "Standard" Fire performance cables and clause "e" is for "Enhanced" Fire Performance Cables.

BS5839-1:2002, Section 26.2, Clause d "Standard Grade Fire Performance Cable.
In summary, cables complying with BS5839-1:2002 "standard" grade should at least comply with BS7629, BS6387 Category CWZ and PH30 of EN50200.

BS6387 CWZ provides tests to:

Category C.
 Exposed to Fire @ 950 Deg. C. for 3 Hours

Category W.
 Exposed to Fire @ 650 Deg C. for 15 Minutes, Then
 Exposed to Fire @ 650 Deg C. with water for 15 Minutes

Category Z.
  Exposed to Fire @ 650 Deg C. for 15 Minutes, Then
  Exposed to Fire @ 650 Deg C. with Mechanical Shock  for 15 Minutes.

EN50200 PH 30 (with reference to BS8434)
 Exposed to flame  / heat at 830 Degree's C. for 15 minutes, and then
 Exposed to flame / heat at 830 Degree's C  for 15 minutes simultaneous exposure to water and shock.

EN50200 PH 120 (with reference to BS8434)
 Exposed to flame  / heat at 930 Degree's C. for 60 minutes, and then
 Exposed to flame / heat at 930 Degree's C  for 60 minutes with simultaneous exposure to water and shock.

BS5839-1:2002, Section 26.2, Clause E "Enhanced" Grade Fire Performance Cable.
In summary, cables complying with BS5839-1:2002 "standard" standard grade should at least comply with BS7629, BS6738 Category CWZ and PH120 of EN50200 (Improved)

Update: 20/1/08
BS8434:2003 is expected to be withdrawn when EN50200 is fully detailed and adopted.