Design & Support
Fire rating compliance
Guidance on UK/EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) cable classes and US NEC / UL fire ratings such as CM, CMR and CMP — so installers and specifiers can select the right Hyperspan construction for the project.
Hyperspan and fire performance
Hyperspan copper cables supplied for the UK market are CPR compliant under EN 50575, with the applicable Euroclass shown against each product construction. Always match the CPR class on the reel/label/Declaration of Performance to the building specification and local regulations.
For North American deployments, Hyperspan also supports US fire-rated constructions (including CMP where listed) so projects can align with NEC requirements for plenum, riser and general-purpose pathways.
Fire rating is product-specific. Check the individual SKU, datasheet and Declaration of Performance (DoP) before specifying or installing.
United Kingdom & Europe
CPR compliance (EN 50575)
Under the Construction Products Regulation, power, control and communication cables permanently installed in buildings must be classified for reaction to fire. CPR classes help designers choose cable that meets the fire strategy for the building.
What it covers
Reaction-to-fire performance of cables used in construction works.
How it is shown
Euroclass on the product (e.g. B2ca, Dca, Eca) plus DoP / CE marking.
Why it matters
Building regulations and project specs increasingly mandate a minimum CPR class.
CPR Euroclasses for cables
Classes run from Aca (highest performance) to Fca (lowest / no determined performance). Hyperspan UK constructions are offered across the practical CPR grades used on real projects — including B2ca, Cca, Dca, Eca and Fca options depending on product family.
| Class | Meaning (simplified) | Typical use context |
|---|---|---|
| Aca | Highest performance — contributes virtually nothing to fire | Specialist / critical applications only |
| B1ca | Very limited contribution to fire | High-risk / high-occupancy routes where a stringent class is specified |
| B2ca | Limited contribution to fire | Common high-spec commercial and public building requirements in the UK/EU |
| Cca | Acceptable contribution to fire under defined conditions | Many commercial building specifications |
| Dca | Moderate contribution to fire | General building installations where Dca is accepted |
| Eca | Acceptable reaction to fire for basic requirements | Lower-demand applications / baseline CPR compliance |
| Fca | No determined performance / lowest CPR class | Often used for external or non-building routes where CPR class Fca applies |
Additional CPR classifications
Alongside the main Euroclass, cables may carry extra classifications for smoke, flaming droplets and acidity. A full example might look like B2ca-s1a,d1,a1.
s1 / s1a / s1b / s2 / s3
Smoke production
Indicates how much smoke is produced. Lower smoke classes (s1 / s1a / s1b) are typically preferred in escape routes and occupied spaces.
d0 / d1 / d2
Flaming droplets / particles
Measures flaming droplets that can spread fire. d0 means no flaming droplets — often required in stricter specifications.
a1 / a2 / a3
Acidity / corrosivity
Indicates acidity of combustion gases, important for protecting people and sensitive equipment.
Selecting the right CPR grade
- Check the project specification, fire strategy and any consultant-led minimum class.
- Confirm the cable route (escape corridor, riser, general office, external, etc.).
- Select the Hyperspan SKU whose labelled CPR class meets or exceeds the requirement.
- Retain the Declaration of Performance and delivery paperwork for handover packs.
United States & Canada (typical)
US fire ratings — CM, CMR & CMP
In North America, communications cable fire performance is commonly classified under the National Electrical Code (NEC) and tested to UL standards. The pathway type — plenum, riser or general purpose — usually drives the rating you need.
CMP
Plenum
Highest common copper communications cable fire rating for US installations. Intended for plenum spaces used for environmental air (for example above suspended ceilings used as air returns), where low smoke and flame spread are critical.
CMR
Riser
Rated for vertical runs between floors in a shaft or riser. Designed to limit flame propagation between storeys. Not a substitute for CMP where plenum rating is required.
CM / CMG
General purpose
General-purpose communications cable for ordinary use within a single floor, outside plenum and riser spaces (subject to local code).
CMX
Limited use / outdoor-related
Limited-use communications cable. Often associated with dwelling / limited applications and some outdoor or restricted-use scenarios — always confirm against NEC and local AHJ requirements.
| If the cable is installed… | Typical minimum rating |
|---|---|
| In a plenum / air-handling space | CMP |
| Vertically between floors in a riser | CMR (or CMP) |
| General purpose within a floor | CM / CMG (or higher) |
Higher-rated cable can generally be substituted downward where code allows (for example CMP may be used in place of CMR/CM), but lower-rated cable must not be used where a higher rating is required. Always confirm with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and the project specification.
Practical guidance
CPR vs US ratings — quick comparison
UK / EU — CPR
- Driven by Construction Products Regulation and EN 50575
- Euroclasses Aca → Fca, plus smoke / droplet / acidity suffixes
- Evidence via CE marking and Declaration of Performance
- Choose class to satisfy the building / consultant specification
US — NEC / UL
- Driven by NEC pathway rules and UL fire-test listings
- Common copper marks: CMP, CMR, CM/CMG, CMX
- Pathway type (plenum / riser / general) is the key decision
- Confirm listing marks on the cable jacket and project docs
Need help selecting a compliant construction?
Share the country/region, pathway type, required CPR class or US rating, and application (for example XR extended reach, Cat6 Core, internal/external) and we’ll point you to the correct Hyperspan SKU.
This page is general guidance for installers and specifiers. It does not replace local building regulations, NEC requirements, project fire strategies or manufacturer Declarations of Performance.