In March 2025, new building fire safety regulations came into effect in the UK, including a transition to European fire testing standards. These are prompting specifiers, designers and developers to reassess how building safety resilience is achieved, including the essential operational systems that rely on electrical infrastructure.
Cables play a pivotal role in these systems, powering emergency lighting, alarms, communications, smoke ventilation and sprinkler controls. This is why Wrexham Mineral Cables (WMC) is encouraging the construction sector to take a closer look at the fire resistance properties of cables and their ability to maintain full operational performance during even the most intense fire conditions.
What has changed in 2025?
A key development is the move from the legacy British Standard BS 476 to the European BS EN 13501 classification framework, which introduces a more comprehensive approach to assessing fire performance. This standard assesses materials based on:
- Reaction to Fire – Including ignition, flame spread, heat release and smoke production.
- Fire Resistance – The duration for which a product can maintain its integrity and function during fire exposure.
- Euroclass Ratings – A system ranking materials from A1 (non-combustible) to F (easily combustible), offering more nuanced insight into fire behaviour.
For electric cables specifically, BS EN 13501-6 provides a detailed classification for how cables need to perform under fire conditions to align with broader building safety legislation.
Mineral Insulated Copper Clad (MICC) Cables: A Proven Solution
MICC fire survival cables are designed to maintain functionality during high-temperature fire events. MICC cables consist entirely of inorganic materials - copper and magnesium oxide - making them inherently non-combustible and highly robust.
In contrast to polymeric “soft skin” fire-resistant cables, MICC solutions:
- Withstand temperatures exceeding 1000°C
- Do not emit smoke, flame, or toxic gases
- Maintain circuit integrity under prolonged fire exposure
- Are resistant to water ingress and mechanical damage
This makes them particularly suited to complex or high-occupancy environments such as care homes, healthcare facilities, residential towers, public buildings, and transport infrastructure where continuity of safety systems is critical.
Responding to Updated Compliance Standards
The adoption of BS EN 13501-6 is an opportunity for the industry to align product performance with increasing expectations of building safety. However, classification alone does not guarantee long-term reliability in real-world scenarios.
WMC supports a performance-led approach that prioritises compliance alongside operational continuity. While some cable types may meet minimum fire resistance standards under test conditions, they may not retain full functionality during a true fire event. This distinction is essential when specifying products for life safety systems.
WMC is advocating for clearer differentiation between fire-resistant and fire survival cables, particularly when it comes to safeguarding critical systems that must remain operational for the full duration of an incident.
Building Safer, Smarter Infrastructure
The introduction of BS EN 13501 represents a positive step forward for UK building safety. It reinforces the need for accurate specification and performance verification across all materials used in construction, including cabling.
Specifying MICC fire survival cables is a proactive measure that supports regulatory compliance, enhances building resilience, and upholds life-saving systems in critical environments.
- Download our white paper “Expecting the Unexpected” to learn more about specifying MICC fire survival cables and preparing for the future of fire safety legislation.