Flame-retardant cables pose serious fire hazard, melting and dripping intensify blaze
Fire-retardant cables can catch fire easily when exposed to heat, leading to intense fires with melting and dripping. Researchers found that these cables can ignite at 70°C and spread flames upwards rapidly as the temperature increases. Once the cable surface reaches 240°C, it can ignite on its own. High heat and smoldering can cause auto-ignition at 500°C. The fire hazard increases with cracks, dripping, and pool fires forming. A new diagram was created to show the cable fire risk based on surface temperature and heat flux. This study helps understand how fire-resistant cables behave in real fires and can help improve cable design for safety.