AEI Cables: technical knowledge is critical to meeting new compliance
Posted by: electime 13th January 2026
Choosing the correct cabling for safety under the new regulatory regime is critical for safety in the construction industry supply chain, says industry leader AEI Cables.
As the new Building Safety Regulator starts to make enforcement for non-compliance, AEI Cables is meeting requests from customers to ensure they stay within the legal framework of the new Building Safety Act and its requirements.
Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, said: “This is a difficult time for the construction supply industry and those addressing the new legislation including electrical cabling requirements.
“We believe in using the correct and most relevant cabling to meet specific needs for all reasons of safety. We are happy to answer queries with our technical help as it may save a lot of time and effort and help our customers and others keep within the legal limits of the act.”
The company is highlighting the need for Category 3 fire performance cables where relevant at the upper end of compliance which are designed to withstand heat and flames for up to 120 minutes, helping to protect equipment and providing enhanced emergency power to assist firefighters.
These cables support critical safety circuits in tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls and stadia.
The systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. These cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire.
Category 1 fire performance cables guarantee 30 minutes of defence against flames, making them ideal for emergency lighting, while Category 2 cables give 60 minutes of fire protection and are commonly used for alarm systems.
AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control. The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world. For more information see the AEI Cables website, tel 0191 410 3111 or email sales@aeicables.co.uk.
