Ducab, a leading manufacturer of cables and cabling products based in the UAE, has announced the opening of a hitech fire testing laboratory specifically built for the Ducab FlamBICC range of fire performance cables, according to BS EN/IEC standard and Ducab NuBICC nuclear cables tested in accordance with IEEE International standards.

The new fire test facility is equipped with the latest laboratory, operated by highly qualified and trained manpower and offers various fire and smoke tests in accordance with BS8519 Code of Practice, said a statement from Ducab, which is owned equally by Investment Corporation Dubai (ICD) and Abu
Dhabi’s Senaat.

IEEE 1202 is specifically used for testing Ducab’s NuBICC range of nuclear grade cables, making it the only facility to conduct this test in the region. The BS EN 50399 test is a new requirement to meet CPR (Construction Product Regulation) for assessment of the ‘reaction to fire’ performance of cable which will be mandatory across Europe by July 1, 2017.

According to Civil Defence authorities and Ducab, major loss of property and life can be avoided by eliminating substandard and non-certified cables, which produce poisonous gases with black smoke obscuring visibility in the event of a fire. The Dubai firm said it is committed to working closely with the construction industry to ensure cables and accessories are certified to meet strict international codes of practice and pride itself on achieving independent UAE Civil Defence, Hong Kong Fire Authority and other international approvals.

Mohammed A Al Mutawa, the chief commercial officer, said: “Ducab will adhere to all new certification standards as laid down by the UAE and international authorities, and we are confident of meeting the new standards in the UAE as well.”