Introduction
Since July 2017, all power, control and communication cables permanently installed in buildings must comply with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). This includes classification under BS EN 13501-6, which assesses cables for their reaction to fire. This guide is your reference for navigating Euroclass ratings, selecting compliant products, and understanding where each cable type fits into UK practice.
BS EN 13501-6 vs BS EN 13501-1
| Standard | Applies To | Example Notation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
BS EN 13501-6 |
Cables (CPR test method) |
Cca–s1a,d1,a1 |
Required for all fixed cables |
|
BS EN 13501-1 |
Walls, floors, general products |
B–s2,d2 |
Not used for cables |
Although both use similar notation (B, C, D, etc.), they involve different test methods. For example, B2ca for cables is not the same as B for wall linings, but both imply strong fire performance.
Euroclass Ratings for Cables (BS EN 13501-6)
| Class | Description | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
|
Aca |
Non-combustible (mineral-only) |
Rare: nuclear, tunnels |
|
B2ca |
Very limited flame spread |
Hospitals, escape routes, schools |
|
Cca |
Limited flame spread |
Offices, commercial, high-occupancy |
|
Dca |
Acceptable flame spread |
Residential and standard installations |
|
Eca |
Passes basic flame test |
Light-duty, non-critical use |
|
Fca |
Not tested |
Not CPR compliant |
Modifiers:
- s1a / s1 / s2 / s3: Smoke production (s1a = lowest smoke)
- d0 / d1 / d2: Flaming droplets (d0 = none)
- a1 / a2 / a3: Acidity (a1 = lowest corrosivity)
Minimum Euroclass Recommendations (UK context)
| Building Type / Use | Recommended Class |
|---|---|
|
Escape routes, public buildings |
B2ca or Cca |
|
Offices, schools, hotels |
Cca or better |
|
Residential dwellings |
Dca minimum |
|
Temporary installs |
CPR not mandatory |
Common Cable Types and Ratings (with UK product examples)
| Cable Type | Common Class | Notes & Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
|
Cca–s1a,d1,a1 |
Used in trunking, conduit, panel wiring |
|
|
Cca–s1a,d1,a1 |
For mains distribution and external use |
|
|
Cca–s1b,d1,a1 |
Enhanced fire survival for life safety systems |
|
|
B2ca–s1a,d1,a1 |
For smoke control, sprinklers, emergency fans |
|
|
Dca–s2,d2,a3 |
For domestic power circuits (now Dca minimum) |
|
|
Cca–s1,d1,a1 |
For general lighting and power |
General Guidance
- CPR Class should be printed on the sheath
E.g. “BASEC Approved, CPR: Cca-s1a,d1,a1” - LS0H cables feel softer than PVC — more prone to nicking on sharp edges
- If in doubt — use Cca or better in public areas or risers
- Fca = fail → Do not install
Main image downloaded from: https://cpr.europacable.eu/ Accessed: 2025-06-04
