In fire incidents, not only flames but also smoke threatens lives

In buildings with high human occupancy, from homes and hospitals to schools and shopping centers, fire safety is no longer evaluated solely through extinguishing systems or emergency exits. Experts highlight that the dense smoke and gases generated during a fire directly affect evacuation processes. As a result, cables one of the invisible yet critical components of a building are receiving increasing attention. 

Cables used in electrical installations do more than transmit power. In the event of a fire, they can influence flame propagation, smoke generation and the impact of emitted gases. For this reason, not only project developers, contractors and investors, but also end users are increasingly questioning the safety standards of the materials used in buildings. 

A new era for cables with CPR 

The European Union Construction Products Regulation (CPR) enables the classification of the fire performance of power, control and communication cables permanently installed in buildings according to defined criteria. As a result, cables are evaluated not only by their electrical properties, but also by factors such as flame spread, smoke production and gas emissions. 

According to experts, the key question today is no longer only “Which cable is being used?” but also “How does the selected cable perform in the event of a fire?” These criteria are increasingly being included in project specifications, particularly for buildings with high occupancy levels. 

Why is visibility during a fire so important? 

One of the main causes of fatalities in fire incidents is the difficulty of evacuation due to dense smoke. Therefore, high-performance cables that generate less smoke and help limit the spread of fire are increasingly preferred in many projects. 

Experts also emphasize that when choosing a place to live, people should consider not only the location or architectural design of a building, but also the standards of the construction materials used within it. 

Safe construction starts with the right questions 

Through the technical content and application guides it has developed on CPR standards, Türk Prysmian Kablo supports industry stakeholders in making more informed decisions. The company emphasizes that fire safety begins not only with product selection, but also with questioning and understanding the right standards.