1 Technical Specifications
General & Electrical
| Product Name | BS 6387 CWZ Fire Resistant Cable — SWA Armoured, LSZH |
| Standards | BS 6387 CWZ, BS 7846 F2, BS 8434-2, BS EN 50200, IEC 60331 |
| Voltage Rating | 0.6/1 kV (600/1000V) |
| Test Voltage | 4 kV AC, 50 Hz |
| Max. DC Resistance (1.5mm²) | ≤ 12.1 Ω/km at 20°C |
| Max. DC Resistance (10mm²) | ≤ 1.83 Ω/km at 20°C |
Construction & Conductor
| Construction Code | CU / MGT / XLPE / LSZH / SWA / LSZH |
| Fire Barrier | Mica/Glass Fire Barrier Tape (MGT) — withstands 950°C flame |
| Conductor Material | Plain annealed stranded copper (Class 2) |
| Conductor Sizes — Single-Core | 16mm² to 400mm² (power circuits, high-current feeds) |
| Conductor Sizes — Multi-Core | 1.5mm² to 95mm² (2/3/4/5 cores, alarm & control circuits) |
| Insulation Material | XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) — enhanced fire performance |
| Inner Bedding | LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) compound |
| Armour | Galvanised Steel Wire Armour (SWA) — rodent-proof, impact resistant |
| Outer Sheath | LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) — black |
| Halogen-Free | Yes — per IEC 60754-1 / -2 |
| Low Smoke | Yes — per IEC 61034-2 |
Fire Performance
| Fire Resistance | BS 6387 CWZ (950°C / 180 min + water spray + mechanical shock) |
| Flame Propagation | IEC 60332-1-2 & IEC 60332-3-24 (Cat. A) |
| Smoke Emission | IEC 61034-2 (low smoke) |
| Acid Gas Emission | IEC 60754-1 / -2 (halogen-free, ≤ 0.5%) |
| System-Level Testing | BS 8434-2 (fire + shock + water for BS 8519 life safety applications) |
Temperature & Mechanical
| Operating Temperature (Fixed) | -20°C to +90°C |
| Short Circuit Temperature | +250°C (peak ≤ 5 seconds) |
| Min. Bend Radius (Fixed) | 6× overall diameter |
| Min. Bend Radius (Flexing) | 8× overall diameter |
Packaging & Logistics
| Packaging | Wooden drum / steel drum / coil per length |
| Standard Length | 100m / 500m / 1000m per drum (customizable) |
| MOQ | 500 meters (sample order negotiable) |
| Lead Time | 10-20 working days |
2 Product Overview
The BS 6387 CWZ Fire Resistant Cable is a high-performance power cable designed to maintain circuit integrity under the most extreme fire conditions. Rated CWZ per BS 6387, it withstands a 950°C flame for 180 minutes while simultaneously resisting water spray (W) and mechanical shock (Z) — the most demanding fire resistance classification in the standard.
The cable features a mica/glass fire barrier tape (MGT) wrapped around the copper conductor, which maintains electrical insulation even when the XLPE insulation layer is consumed by fire. The SWA (steel wire armour) provides mechanical protection against impact during and after a fire, while the LSZH outer sheath ensures minimal smoke and toxic gas emission in fire scenarios — critical for evacuation safety in enclosed spaces.
This cable meets the stringent requirements of UK and Middle Eastern fire safety regulations, including BS 5839-1 (fire detection and alarm systems), BS 5266-1 (emergency lighting), and BS 8519 (life safety and fire fighting applications). It is the preferred choice for specifiers who require tested and verified fire performance data.
Manufactured to rigorous quality standards under the management of SORIVO, each production batch undergoes comprehensive fire testing per BS 6387 CWZ protocol, ensuring consistent and verifiable performance. For detailed company information, please visit sorivocable.com/about-us/.
3 Key Features
BS 6387 CWZ Fire Rating
Maintains circuit integrity at 950°C for 180 minutes with simultaneous water spray (W) and mechanical shock (Z) — the highest BS 6387 classification.
Mica/Glass Fire Barrier Tape
MGT fire barrier wrapped directly over the conductor provides electrical insulation even when XLPE insulation is fully consumed by fire.
SWA Mechanical Protection
Galvanised steel wire armour provides robust protection against mechanical impact, rodent damage, and cable tension during and after fire events.
LSZH Outer Sheath
Low Smoke Zero Halogen jacket minimizes toxic gas emission and smoke density in fire scenarios, supporting safe evacuation per BS 5839-1 requirements.
UK & Middle East Compliant
Meets BS 5839-1, BS 5266-1, and BS 8519 standards — widely accepted by UK and Middle Eastern specifiers, consultants, and approval authorities.
Multi-Core Configurations
Available in 2-core, 3-core, 4-core, and 5-core configurations. Multi-core: 1.5mm² to 95mm² (alarm, control & small power). Single-core: 16mm² to 400mm² (high-current power circuits).
Rugged Temperature Range
Rated for -20°C to +90°C fixed installation with 250°C short-circuit rating, suitable for demanding industrial and infrastructure environments.
Enhanced Circuit Integrity
Third-party tested to maintain power and signal transmission throughout the fire duration, ensuring critical life safety systems remain operational when needed most.
4 Applications
This fire-resistant cable is designed for critical life safety and fire fighting circuits:
Life Safety Systems
Critical Power & Infrastructure
5 FAQ
What does BS 6387 CWZ mean?
C = Circuit integrity maintained at 950°C flame for 180 minutes. W = Withstands water spray at 650°C for 15 minutes during fire exposure. Z = Withstands mechanical shock/vibration during fire exposure. CWZ is the most demanding classification in the BS 6387 standard, suitable for the highest-risk fire safety applications.
What is the difference between BS 6387 CWZ, BS 7846 F2, and BS 8434-2?
BS 6387 defines the test method for individual fire, water, and shock conditions at 950°C. BS 7846 F2 is a cable construction standard that references BS 6387 CWZ and covers SWA armoured, LSZH cables. Critically, cables meeting BS 7846 F2 are also typically tested to BS 8434-2, which combines fire exposure with simultaneous mechanical shock and water spray in a single system-level test — this is the benchmark required for BS 8519 life safety and fire fighting applications. In short: BS 6387 CWZ tests individual elements; BS 7846 F2 + BS 8434-2 validates the complete system under realistic fire conditions.
Is this cable suitable for direct burial?
Yes. The SWA (steel wire armour) provides excellent mechanical protection for direct burial installations. The LSZH outer sheath offers additional corrosion resistance in underground environments. However, specific chemical resistance should be verified for contaminated soil conditions. Contact SORIVO for application-specific advice.
Is third-party test certification available?
Yes. The cable can be supplied with third-party test reports from LPCB, BASEC, or other accredited laboratories confirming compliance with BS 6387 CWZ. Certification documentation is available upon request for project submittals and approval authority review.
What core configurations are available?
The cable is available in single-core, 2-core, 3-core, 4-core, and 5-core configurations. Multi-core cables (2–5 cores) range from 1.5mm² to 95mm² and are ideal for fire alarm, emergency lighting, and control circuits. Single-core cables range from 16mm² to 400mm² and are used for higher-current power circuits and main feeder runs. Contact SORIVO to confirm the maximum size available for your specific core configuration.