FP200 cable is the most widely used fire-resistant cable in UK electrical installations. This guide covers its construction, fire survival performance, where fire-resistant cable is required by regulations, installation methods, testing procedures, and how it compares to MICC and other fire performance cables.
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FP200 is a trade name (manufactured by Prysmian, formerly BICC) that has become the generic term for fire performance cables in the UK electrical industry. The cable is designed to maintain circuit integrity during a fire — it continues to carry current and supply connected equipment even while exposed to extreme temperatures and direct flame.
The cable is used for circuits where maintaining power during a fire is essential for life safety: fire detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting, smoke ventilation, voice alarm systems, and other safety-critical circuits. Without fire-resistant cabling, these circuits would fail within minutes of a fire starting, precisely when they are most needed.
FP200 cable has become the standard specification for fire-resistant wiring in the majority of UK commercial, industrial, and residential installations. It offers a practical balance between fire performance (meeting all required standards), ease of installation (standard stripping and termination methods), and cost (significantly cheaper than MICC mineral insulated cable).
Other manufacturers produce equivalent fire performance cables under different trade names — Firetuf (AEI Cables), Firesafe (Draka/Prysmian), Firecel (Cleveland Cable), and others. These cables are manufactured to the same standards and provide equivalent fire performance. The term "FP200" is used generically throughout this guide, but the information applies to all BS EN 50200 PH120-rated fire performance cables.
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FP200 cable uses a multi-layer construction specifically engineered to survive fire conditions. Understanding the construction helps explain both its fire performance and its handling characteristics.
The cable is typically available in 2-core (for standard fire alarm and emergency lighting circuits) and 3-core plus earth configurations. Enhanced versions with additional mechanical protection (steel wire armour) are available for installations requiring both fire performance and mechanical protection — designated FP200 Gold with armour.
Several British Standards and Building Regulations require fire-resistant cabling for specific safety-critical circuits. Understanding which circuits require fire-resistant cable is essential for correct specification.
BS 5839-1 requires that cables forming part of a fire alarm system maintain circuit integrity during fire. For Category L (life protection) and Category P (property protection) systems in commercial and industrial buildings, fire-resistant cable is required for the mains supply to the fire alarm panel, for circuits connecting the panel to sounders and call points in different fire compartments, and for interconnecting cables between panels in networked systems. For domestic fire alarm systems to BS 5839-6, fire-resistant cable is required for Grade A (commercial-style) systems but not for Grade D (mains-powered smoke alarms with integral battery backup).
BS 5266-1 requires fire-resistant cabling for centrally supplied emergency lighting systems. In these systems, a central battery unit or generator supplies multiple emergency luminaires via a distribution network. The supply cables must survive the fire to ensure the luminaires continue to operate during evacuation. Self-contained emergency luminaires (with individual batteries) do not require fire-resistant supply cables because they switch to battery power when the mains fails.
Power supplies to smoke ventilation fans, damper actuators, and control panels must use fire-resistant cable. Smoke ventilation systems are critical to evacuation safety — they keep escape routes clear of smoke so occupants can see and breathe during evacuation. The cables must survive the fire for the system to function.
Where voice alarm systems are integrated with the fire alarm for managed evacuation (common in large commercial buildings, shopping centres, and public venues), the cabling must be fire-resistant to maintain the ability to give evacuation instructions throughout the building during a fire.
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One of the main advantages of FP200 cable over MICC is its ease of installation. FP200 can be handled, stripped, and terminated using standard cable preparation tools and methods. However, there are specific considerations that differ from standard PVC cables.
FP200 cable is typically installed on the surface using conduit or trunking in commercial installations, or clipped direct to structural surfaces. When installed in conduit or trunking, ensure the containment system itself is fire-rated if the cable route passes through fire compartments, or install appropriate fire stops at each compartment boundary.
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Start free trialFire-resistant cables are classified according to their fire survival performance. The key standards for fire performance cable in the UK are:
This standard tests the cable's ability to maintain circuit integrity (continue carrying current) while exposed to fire. The cable is mounted in a test furnace and exposed to a temperature of at least 830 degrees Celsius with direct flame impingement, while an electrical load is applied. The cable must continue to function for the required duration. The classifications are PH30 (30 minutes), PH60 (60 minutes), PH90 (90 minutes), and PH120 (120 minutes). FP200 cable meets the PH120 classification — 120 minutes at 830 degrees Celsius.
This UK standard adds a water spray element to the fire test, simulating the effect of sprinkler activation or fire hose operation during a fire. The cable must survive both fire and water simultaneously. This is a more demanding test than BS EN 50200 alone and is increasingly specified for high-risk installations. FP200 cable meeting BS 8434-2 Category 2 provides 120 minutes survival with water spray.
This standard tests whether a cable propagates flame — that is, whether the cable itself burns and spreads fire along its length. All fire-resistant cables must pass this test. FP200 cable passes BS EN 60332-1 (single cable test) and BS EN 60332-3 (bunched cable test), confirming it will not spread fire along cable routes.
This standard measures the smoke density produced when the cable burns. LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) sheaths produce minimal smoke, maintaining visibility in escape routes. FP200 cable meets BS EN 61034, producing significantly less smoke than PVC-sheathed alternatives. This is a critical property for cables installed in enclosed spaces, corridors, and stairwells.
When specifying fire-resistant cable, always check the specific fire performance requirement of the application standard. BS 5839-1 for fire alarm systems and BS 5266-1 for emergency lighting both specify minimum fire resistance durations and test standards that the cable must meet.
Testing FP200 cable installations follows the standard BS 7671 testing sequence. Unlike MICC cable, FP200 does not have moisture sensitivity issues, so insulation resistance testing is generally straightforward.
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Try it free for 7 daysWhile FP200 (Prysmian) is the most recognised fire performance cable brand in the UK, several other manufacturers produce equivalent cables that meet the same standards. Understanding the alternatives helps when sourcing materials and comparing quotes.
AEI Cables' fire-resistant range. Similar construction to FP200 with silicone rubber insulation and LSZH sheath. Meets PH120 classification. Available in 2-core and 3-core configurations. Competitively priced against FP200.
Cleveland Cable's fire performance cable range. PH120-rated with LSZH sheath. Available with optional SWA for installations requiring both fire resistance and mechanical protection.
MICC cable provides significantly higher fire performance than FP200 (surviving over 1,000 degrees Celsius vs approximately 830 degrees Celsius), but is more expensive, harder to install, and requires specialised termination. MICC is specified for the most demanding applications — large commercial buildings, hospitals, high-rise residential — where absolute maximum fire performance is required.
When substituting one fire-resistant cable brand for another, always verify that the replacement meets the same fire performance classification (PH120, BS 8434-2 Category 2, etc.) required by the specification. Different brands may have different construction details, and the fire performance must be verified from the manufacturer's test certificates, not assumed from the cable appearance.
Cable sizing for fire-resistant cables follows the same BS 7671 process but uses the current-carrying capacity values specific to the cable type from the manufacturer's data sheets, as FP200 may not appear directly in the standard Appendix 4 tables.Verified reviews from the UK App Store.
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