What type of cabling meets fire safety standards for air handling spaces?

Plenum-rated cabling is specifically designed to comply with stringent fire safety standards for use in air handling spaces. These spaces are typically utilized for the circulation of air in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Because plenum spaces can facilitate the spread of fire and smoke throughout a building more rapidly, it's crucial to use cabling that reduces this risk.

Plenum-rated cabling is constructed with a special type of insulation that has a lower flame spread rating and emits less smoke when burned compared to non-plenum-rated options. This makes it a safer choice for installation in spaces where it might be exposed to airflow and where fire safety is a paramount concern. The materials used in plenum-rated cabling help ensure that even if a fire were to start, the cabling would contribute less to the fire and subsequent smoke production.

While other types of cabling, such as general, non-plenum, and outdoor cabling, may be suitable for different applications, they do not meet the specific fire safety requirements necessary for installation in air handling spaces. General cabling and non-plenum cabling typically do not have the enhanced thermal and flame-resistant characteristics of plenum-rated cabling, making them less safe in environments where fire risk is