American Fire Wire, a Reno, Nevada-based manufacturer, has released its 50-Ohm, two-hour fire rated coaxial cable for Distributed Antenna System (DAS) installations. Public Safety DAS systems enable wireless connectivity within their radius and, without the proper components, can fail to withstand emergency scenarios such as floods, fires and earthquakes, minimizing communications first-response teams can conduct when on site.
The new AFW-2HFR-3 cable has been tested to the industry standard used to certify 3M's endothermic wrap which has already been widely adopted for use. The ASTM E119 standard requires cables to continually operate for two hours when exposed to fire at 1850 degrees. It meets the requirements of NFPA 72, NFPA 1221, and IFC Section 510, fire codes set forth for Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Systems (ERRCS) which must be followed in all new buildings and all new building renovations. The cable uses braided technology and offers an improved bending radius, lending greater flexibility during installation. It is available for purchase cut to exact lengths, thus reducing waste of specialty coax.
American Fire Wire's newest addition to their family of American-made coaxial cable and connectors offers those buildings installing or retrofitting their DAS systems a less expensive method for fireproofing the cable. When paired with the right system of antennas and amplifiers, the cable successfully transports the wireless signal inside of a building and meets survivability codes put forth by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and the International Fire Code (IFC).
According to Will Rogers, President of American Fire Wire, building retrofits can be done at a fraction of the cost and the new cable will save owners and installers up to $400 per foot over traditional methods like costly wraps, two-hour pathways, concrete slabs and building soffits.
Founded in 2016, American Fire Wire was formed by visionaries holding a combined 60 years of experience in the wireless industry. American Fire Wire is designed to match the bravery and integrity of first responders and to ensure the Distributed Antenna Systems maintain connectivity during a fire.
