IS 12459:1988 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for fire safety in cable runs. This standard provides guidelines for ensuring fire safety in electrical cable runs within buildings and industrial installations. It covers aspects like segregation of cables, use of fire stops and seals in openings, ventilation of cable galleries, and requirements for fire detection and extinguishing systems. The objective is to prevent the spread of fire along cable routes and maintain circuit integrity during a fire.
Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Cable Runs
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
| Parameter | IS Value | International | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum vertical clearance between power cable trays | 300 mm | 300 mm (12 in.) | FM Global Data Sheet 5-31 |
| Minimum horizontal clearance between power cable trays | 225 mm | 25 mm (1 in.) between tray flanges | FM Global Data Sheet 5-31 |
| Recommended maximum cable tray width | Should not normally exceed 600 mm | No specific limit, but standard trays are available up to 900 mm (36 in.). Focus is on cable fill percentage. | NFPA 70 / NEMA VE 1 |
| Segregation of power and control cables in same tray/raceway | Permitted if separated by a continuous metallic partition. | Permitted if separated by a fixed barrier of a material compatible with the raceway. | NFPA 70 [725.136(I)] |
| Requirement for sealing penetrations | Openings shall be sealed to prevent fire propagation. | Openings shall be firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire-resistance rating of the barrier. | IEC 60364-5-52 [527.2] |
| Fire detection in important cable galleries | Recommended to be provided with an automatic fire detection system. | Cable rooms and galleries which are not permanently supervised shall be monitored by an automatic fire detection system. | IEC 61936-1 [10.4.1] |