nVent Electric plc released its results from an independent ISO 9001 certified laboratory test that compared the performance of certain UL 2196 Listed fire-rated wiring cables during fire conditions. The test measured whether the cables would release toxic or combustible gases while or after burning. The current UL 2196 standard requires that fire-rated wire cable systems retain electrical continuity following a two-hour fire exposure and subsequent hose stream test, but it does not address the presence of toxic and/or combustible gas created during a fire. The testing conducted by the third party laboratory found that some UL 2196 approved cables produce toxic smoke and combustible gases (also referred to as “off-gassing”) under fire conditions. These off-gases can then ignite and/or combust with forces similar to those of natural gas. The composition of the materials used in fire-rated cables affects performance during a fire. In the testing performed by the third-party lab, those cables that use organic materials in their insulation began to off-gas as the temperature increased. However, nVent PYROTENAX System 1850 fire-rated wiring cables, which are mineral insulated (MI) cables and constructed with inorganic insulation materials, including magnesium oxide, produce virtually no off-gases when heated. In addition to being an environmentally-friendly option, these cables’ insulation does not burn, produce smoke or contribute toxic and/or combustible gases to ongoing fire emergencies. While testing for smoke and gas generation, combustibility and flammability, the third-party laboratory also observed the tested cables’ electrical integrity – the ability of the cables to maintain their mechanical strength. MI cables maintained almost all of their strength, while non-MI cables that were tested showed significant degradation at the conclusion of the experiment.