725.179(F) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable or Electrical Circuit Protective System.
Code Change Summary: Revised code language clarifies how circuit integrity cables and electrical circuit protective systems must be installed.
Circuit integrity cables are used to maintain the integrity of a critical circuit during a fire. Certain circuits in a building are crucial for ensuring that fire alarm and sprinkler systems remain operational during a fire.
Previous code language was general to the survivability of certain critical circuits but made no mention of which conditions the circuits had to survive through. The new code language makes it clear that these circuits need to perform under fire conditions.
The new rules also clarify that these listed cables can only be installed in a raceway if the cables were intended to be as part of the cable listing process. One cannot automatically assume that placing a circuit integrity cable in a raceway will provide even better protection. Installing a cable in a raceway that was never originally tested in one changes the way the cable will perform during a fire. If the cable was never intended to be installed in a raceway, then it must remain without one in order to ensure that the cable performs in the same way as during the initial testing and listing process.
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on the “free access” tab and select the applicable year of NFPA 70 (National Electrical code).
2011 Code Language:
725.179(F) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable or Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables used for survivability of critical circuits shall be listed as circuit integrity (CI) cable. Cables specified in 725.154(A), (B), (D)(1), and (E), and used for circuit integrity, shall have the additional classification using the suffix “-CI”. Cables that are part of a listed electrical circuit protective system shall be considered to meet the requirements of survivability.
2014 Code Language:
725.179(F) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable or Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables that are used for survivability of critical circuits under fire conditions shall meet either 725.179(F)(1) or (F)(2) as follows:
(1) Circuit Integrity (CI) Cables. Circuit Integrity (CI) cables, specified in 725.154(A), and (B), and used for survivability of critical circuits, shall have the additional classification using the suffix “CI.” Circuit integrity (CI) cables shall only be permitted to be installed in a raceway where specifically listed and marked as part of an electrical circuit protective system as covered in 725.179(F)(2).
(2) Electrical Circuit Protective System. Cables specified in 725.154(A), and (B) that are part of an electrical circuit protective system shall be identified with the protective system number and hourly rating printed on the outer jacket of the cable and installed in accordance with the listing of the protective system.