16/4 Unshielded NYC Approved FPLP Fire Alarm Cable | 150°C LL39

16 AWG 4-Conductor Unshielded FPLP (Fire Power-Limited Plenum) Fire Alarm Cable is a mid-gauge, New York City (NYC) Certified, plenum-rated signaling circuit engineered for critical high-rise life-safety networks. Designed to operate reliably under extreme structural environments with a specialized continuous maximum thermal rating of 150 degrees C (LL39 specification), this cable features four solid bare copper conductors, premium high-temperature fluoropolymer insulation, and a low-smoke, flame-retardant fluoropolymer outer jacket.

This 16 AWG profile is explicitly certified and approved for use within New York City's demanding high-rise building codes (NEC Article 760 and Local Law 39 parameters). It balances robust current-carrying capacity with excellent installation flexibility, making it an industry-preferred size for multi-zone notification appliance loops (NAC), speaker/strobe combinations, and power-critical signaling lines where electrostatic noise protection is not required. Because it is unshielded, it offers a reduced outer diameter and faster stripping times, allowing it to be routed efficiently through crowded environmental air plenums, air-handling ducts, drop ceilings, and open architectural vertical shafts without requiring protective metallic conduit.

CABLE AMPACITY & SIGNALING DATA

Because fire alarm systems operate under specialized power-limited and life-safety signaling profiles, standard high-current electrical ampacity charts do not apply directly to standard branch operations.

• Maximum Signaling Current Capacity: 5.5 AMPS (Per Conductor) This represents the maximum safe continuous current limit for a 16 AWG multi-conductor fire alarm configuration under standard ambient facility conditions.

• National Electrical Code Restrictions: FPLP fire alarm loops must be supplied by a power-limited fire alarm (PLFA) transformer or signaling panel circuit breaker. Overcurrent protection is capped natively by the fire alarm control panel (FACP), typically restricted to a class-limited 3.0 Amp to 4.0 Amp maximum output per notification loop to protect structural integrity during prolonged emergency alerts.

Key Features

• NYC Local Law 39 (LL39) Certified: Formulated to meet the strict physical and thermal test standards required for high-rise commercial structures within New York City jurisdiction, ensuring structural stability and electrical integrity under extreme environmental heat.

• 150 degrees C Continuous Thermal Performance: Features an advanced 150 degrees C high-temperature capability, providing an extra safety margin over standard 75 degrees C or 90 degrees C fire cables during structural heat spikes or machinery compartment proximity.

• Unshielded Optimization: Eliminates the overall foil shield and drain wire to reduce the cable's outer diameter and weight, allowing for easier pulling through crowded raceways and quicker terminations at field junction boxes.

• Plenum Rated (FPLP) Architectural Freedom: Outer low-smoke jacket is fully compliant with NFPA 262 and UL 910 flame propagation tests, allowing code-compliant installation in drop ceilings and open-air plenum return spaces without the need for structural steel conduit.

• High-Purity Solid Bare Copper: Manufactured with premium solid copper conductors to deliver optimal electrical continuity, low line resistance, and clean signal transmission.

Common Applications

• Multi-Zone Notification Appliance Circuits (NAC): Powering arrays of synchronized horns, mid-range strobes, and facility emergency exit beacons.

• Voice Evacuation & Emergency Audio Systems: Routing high-fidelity, low-attenuation voice audio lines and emergency speaker grids across multiple building zones where external electromagnetic interference is not a factor.

• Dual-Circuit Emergency Control Feeds: Simultaneously routing primary power and signal returns for detectors, manual pull stations, and control modules back to the main command panel.

• HVAC Smoke Control Interlocks: Interfacing fire control logic directly with automated plenum smoke dampers, fresh-air intake shutters, and ventilation override switches.

Cable Layer Architecture (From Core to Jacket)

1. Conductors: 4 Independent 16 AWG solid bare copper lines.

2. Conductor Insulation: High-temperature Fluoropolymer (FEP), color-coded using the specific NYC 2-pair pairing arrangement matrix (Black, Red, Yellow, Green).

3. Core Wrap: Clean assembly binding to optimize flexibility and facilitate jacket stripping.

4. Outer Jacket: Heavy-duty, low-smoke, flame-retardant Red Fluoropolymer skin featuring continuous surface-stamped NYC Certification and LL39 labeling text.

Circuit Identification: NYC Approved Color Layout

• Conductor 1: Black Insulation (Pair 1 - Signal Negative)

• Conductor 2: Red Insulation (Pair 1 - Signal Positive)

• Conductor 3: Yellow Insulation (Pair 2 - Auxiliary/Audio Positive)

• Conductor 4: Green Insulation (Pair 2 - Auxiliary/Audio Negative)

Technical Specifications

• Conductor Size: 16 AWG

• Number of Conductors: 4

• Conductor Type: Solid Bare Copper

• Insulation Material: High-Temperature Fluoropolymer (FEP)

• Shielding Type: Unshielded

• Jacket Material: Low-Smoke, Flame-Retardant Fluoropolymer - Red

• Voltage Rating: 300 Volts RMS Maximum

• Maximum Temperature Rating: 150 degrees C Continuous Operating (LL39)

• Flame Test Ratings: NFPA 262, UL 910 Plenum Flame Test

• Compliance Standards: NEC Article 760 (Type FPLP), NYC Local Law 39 (LL39 Approval), UL Listed, RoHS Compliant

Technical Note: Unshielded fire alarm cable is highly efficient for high-current notification circuits (horns and strobes) and speaker lines. However, for microprocessor-controlled addressable signaling line circuits (SLC data loops) or data communication tracks sharing pathways with high-voltage power lines, a shielded cable variant should be evaluated to mitigate potential electromagnetic cross-talk.

CABLE TYPE: 16 AWG / 4-Conductor Solid Unshielded Plenum-Rated Type FPLP 150 degrees C Life-Safety Cable (Black/Red/Yellow/Green Configuration)

DISCLAIMER: The technical information provided is for general reference only. Fire alarm systems and life-safety signaling circuits must strictly adhere to NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code), the National Electrical Code (NEC), local New York City Building Department amendments, and specific manufacturer guidelines. Always cross-reference the official product submittal data sheet from the chosen manufacturer prior to finalizing life-safety circuit layouts, system voltage drop calculations, or pulling structural cable lengths.

General Shipping Information

In-stock orders placed before 3pm EST typically ship within 1-2 business days. Our business days are Monday through Friday; we do not process orders on Saturday, Sunday, or major US Holidays.

You will receive an e-mail with a tracking number within 1-2 business days from the time its shipped. You will also be able to view your order status and tracking numbers in your account order history.

Expedited Shipping

Expedited shipments are delivered Monday-Friday except on US Holidays. The order must be placed before 12pm CST to ship same day ( Mon-Fri Only).

Returns

You have 30 days from the day you receive the item to contact us for a return. Returns are subject to a 30% Restocking Fee.

Please contact us at help@wireamerica.com to request a return authorization. Have your order number or name the order was placed with ready and we will email you an RMA (return) number and instructions for return. Currently, we do not offer exchanges. A new order must be placed if you need a different item. If you provide the new order number at the time of your return request, the restocking fee may be lowered.

Orders on any items with a material value of $50 or less are non-returnable.