construction product regulation (cpr)

Construction Product Regulation (CPR) has been around for many years with respect to products in use within the building and construction industry.

definitions

• "construction product" means any product or kit which is produced and placed on the market for incorporation in a permanent manner in the construction works or parts thereof and the performance of which has an effect on the performance of the construction works with respect to the basic requirements for construction works
• "kit" means a construction product placed on the market by a single manufacturer as a set of at least two separate components that need to be put together to be incorporated in the construction works
• "construction works" means buildings and civil engineering works;

For cables, the CPR regulation was introduced on 1st July 2016 with a one-year transition period, during which cables not CPR classified could be placed on the market and installed. Since 1st July 2017, no non-CPR classified product may be placed on the market, although those which are already on the market may still be installed.

old standards

EN60332-3-x –Test for vertical flame spread only of vertically-mounted bunched wires or cables, not hierarchical, not specific enough.

CPR tests and enforces a hierarchical system that identifies superior performing products for increasingly sensitive applications.

new standards

Euro Classification ACA, B1CA, B2CA, CCA, DCA and ECA

uk direction

A significant number of legislative papers and documents are now clearly stipulating the need for CPR to be rigidly applied with respect to fire rating, flame propagation, escape routes, smoke production, etc, as follows:

BS 7671:2015 Requirements for Electrical Installations - IET Wiring Regulations

• The 17th edition revision 3 details the requirements for an improved fire rating on all cables within a fire escape route.
• Section 422.2.1 states (for example) that wiring systems shall be non-flame propagating and for cable to be compliant it has to meet the relevant part of the BS EN 60332-3 series.
• Wiring within escape routes shall have a limited rate of smoke production. Cables meeting a minimum of 60% light transmittance in accordance with BS EN 61034-2 shall be selected.

BS 8492:2016+A1:2017 Telecommunications equipment and telecommunication cabling Code of practice for the fire performance and protection has been revised in line with CPR.

• Section 6.2.2 states (for example) that existing standards and specifications for cabling do not have direct equivalence with the reaction to fire requirements of EuroClasses Dca, Cca, B2ca, or B1ca.

BS 6701:2016+A1:2017 Telecommunications equipment and telecommunications cabling. Specification for installation, operation and maintenance. Published as Amendment 1 to BS6701 30/11/2017.

• Section 5.1.3.1 states (for example) that installation cables shall, as a minimum, meet the requirements of EuroClass Cca-s1b,d2,a2, in accordance with BS EN 13501-6.

All other areas within buildings and other structures that telecommunication cables are installed shall, as a minimum, either meet the requirements of EuroClass Eca, in accordance with BS EN 13501-6, or meet the recommended requirements of BS EN 60332-1-2.