CAN/ULC 139:2025

Scope 1.1 The intent of this Standard is to evaluate the integrity of power, control, instrumentation, and data/communications cables (such as copper, coaxial, or optical fiber) for their ability to maintain circuit integrity when subjected to standard fire test exposure and associated hose stream test. 1.2 The power, control, instrumentation, and data/communications cables covered by this Standard are intended to comply with the following requirements: a) In Canada: 1) CSA C22.1, Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), and the National Building Code of Canada; b) In the United States: 1) NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®), and/or the International Fire Code, and/or NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, and/or NFPA 130, the Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems, and/or NFPA 502, the Standard for Road Tunnels, Bridges, and Other Limited Access Highways, and/or NFPA 1225, the Standard for Emergency Services Communications. NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code®, and NEC® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. 1.3 Cables are subjected to the fire exposure in accordance with ULC S101, Standard Methods of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials and UL 263, Standard for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. Following the fire test, the assembly shall be subjected to a hose stream test. 1.4 During the fire test, cables other than optical-fiber cables are continuously energized at their maximum rated voltage or maximum utilization voltage and evaluated for circuit integrity. Insulation resistance measurements are also taken to quantify leakage current. 1.5 In addition, during the fire tests, the data/communications cables are evaluated to determine their ability to support the transmission of data or communication signals per manufacturer’s performance specifications. 1.6 The fire exposure and hose stream tests are not intended to be representative of all fire conditions and impact conditions, respectively. It is likely that conditions will vary with changes in the amount, nature, distribution of fire loading, ventilation, compartment size and configuration, and heat conducting and dissipating characteristics of the compartment in which the cables are installed. These requirements provide a relative measure of fire performance of comparable assemblies under these specified fire exposure conditions. It is possible that any variation from the construction or operating condition tested, such as size, method of assembly and materials, will substantially change the performance characteristics of the cables. 1.7 The standardized fire and hose stream exposures for comparing the performance of cables represents one factor in determining the acceptability of cables for use in specific applications. 1.8 The construction and operation of the furnace and the general test conditions are intended to be in accordance with the requirements in ULC S101, Standard Methods of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials and UL 263, Standard for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials.