Evolving fire retardant material issues: a cable manufacturer's perspective

A study designed and coordinated by AT&T Bell Laboratories was conducted to investigate the combustion properties of a wide range of highly flame retardant cable materials. A total of 39 commercial and developmental materials were tested. There were 24 materials classified as nonhalogen and 15 materials containing halogens beyond contamination levels. The cone calorimeter and a combustion gas exposure system were used to examine combustion parameters such as heat release and smoke release while also exploring the corrosivity of combustion gases.