ARTICLE 728

Fire-Resistive Cable Systems

1. Scope. This article covers the installation of fire- resistive cables, fire-resistive conductors, and other system components used for survivability of critical circuits to ensure continued operation during a specified time under fire condi‐ tions as required in this Code.
2. Definition.Fire-Resistive Cable System. A cable and components used to ensure survivability of critical circuits for a specified time under fire conditions.
3. Other Articles. Wherever the requirements of other articles of this Code and Article 728 differ, the requirements of Article 728 shall apply.
4. General. Fire-resistive cables, fire-resistive conductors, and components shall be tested and listed as a complete system, shall be designated for use in a specific fire-rated system, and shall not be interchangeable between systems.Informational Note No. 1: One method of defining the fire rating is by testing the system in accordance with UL 2196-2012, Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Cables.Informational Note No. 2: Fire-resistive cable systems are consid‐ ered part of an electrical circuit protective system.
5. Installations. Fire-resistive cable systems installed outside the fire-rated rooms that they serve, such as the electri‐ cal room or the fire pump room, shall comply with the require‐ ments of 728.5(A) through (H) and all other installation instructions provided in the listing.

1. Mounting. The fire-resistive cable system shall be secured to the building structure in accordance with the listing and the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
2. Supports. The fire-resistive system shall be supported in accordance with the listing and the manufacturer’s installation instructions.Informational Note: The supports are critical for survivability of the system. Each system has its specific support requirements.
3. Raceways and Couplings. Where the fire-resistive system is listed to be installed in a raceway, the raceways enclosing the system, any couplings, and connectors shall be listed as part of the fire-rated system.The raceway fill for each system shall comply with the listing requirements for the system and shall not be greater than the fill permitted in Table 1, Chapter 9.
   Informational Note: Raceway fill may not be the same for alllisted fire-resistive systems.
4. Cable Trays. Cable trays used as part of a fire-resistive system shall be listed as part of the fire-resistive system.
5. Boxes. Boxes or enclosures used as part of a fire-resistive system shall be listed as part of the fire-resistive system and shall be secured to the building structure independently of the race‐ ways or cables listed in the system.
6. Pulling Lubricants. Fire-resistive cable systems installed in a raceway shall only use pulling lubricants listed as part of the fire-resistive cable system.
7. Vertical Supports. Cables and conductors installed in vertical raceways shall be supported in accordance with the list‐ ing of the fire-resistive cable system.
8. Splices. Only splices that are part of the listing for the fire-resistive cable system shall be used. Splices shall have manufacturer’s installation instructions.

728.60 Grounding. Fire-resistive systems installed in a raceway requiring an equipment grounding conductor shall use the same fire-rated cable described in the system, unless alternative equipment grounding conductors are listed with the system. Any alternative equipment grounding conductor shall be marked with the system number. The system shall specify a permissible equipment grounding conductor. If not specified, the equipment grounding conductor shall be the same as the fire-rated cable described in the system.

728.120 Marking. In addition to the marking required in 310.120, system cables and conductors shall be surface marked with the suffix “FRR” (fire-resistive rating), along with the circuit integrity duration in hours, and with the system identi‐ fier.