Fire Characteristics of Plastics in Telecommunication

Traditionally fire safety has been achieved and controlled by setting detailed requirements for components in a system. Today the key term is "performancebased", i.e. one is aiming at setting requirements which guarantee sufficient performance of the whole system allowing flexibility in the use of the components. This paper makes a brief review of key parameters characterising the fire behaviour of materials and products made thereof. The problems of setting performance-based requirements appropriate to telecommunication applications of plastics are also discussed.