18/2 Shielded NYC Approved FPLP Fire Alarm Cable | 150°C LL39

18 AWG 2-Conductor Shielded FPLP (Fire Power-Limited Plenum) Fire Alarm Cable is a precision-engineered, New York City (NYC) Certified, plenum-rated signaling circuit designed for critical high-rise life-safety systems. Specifically formulated to operate flawlessly under intense environmental conditions with a specialized continuous maximum thermal rating of 150°C (LL39 specification), this cable features two solid bare copper conductors, premium high-temperature fluoropolymer insulation, a 100% coverage overall aluminum-mylar foil shield with a stranded tinned copper drain wire, and a low-smoke, flame-retardant fluoropolymer outer jacket.

This specialized light-to-medium gauge 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 is optimized for addressable multiplex data loops, smart signaling line circuits (SLC), and high-density smoke detector zones where space optimization in crowded conduits or pathways is required. It can be installed directly in environmental air plenums, air-handling ducts, drop ceilings, and open architectural vertical shafts without requiring protective metallic conduit, ensuring clean, uncorrupted data and power paths for advanced fire management panels.

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: 5.0 AMPS (Per Conductor) This represents the maximum safe continuous current limit for an 18 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°C Continuous Thermal Performance: Features an advanced 150°C high-temperature capability, providing an extra safety margin over standard 75°C or 90°C fire cables during structural heat spikes or machinery compartment proximity.

• 100% Overall Foil Shield Coverage: Wrapped in a heavy-duty aluminum-mylar shielding tape that eliminates Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). This ensures clean, uncorrupted data transmission on addressable fire loops sharing crowded plenum pathways.

• Integral Stranded Drain Wire: Equipped with a flexible, tinned copper drain wire in continuous contact with the aluminum shield layer, allowing for rapid field grounding and termination at the control panel chassis.

• 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

• Addressable Multiplex Signaling Loops: Connecting smart sensors, smoke detectors, manual pull stations, and addressable control modules back to the main command panel.

• Microprocessor-Controlled SLC Data Tracks: Ideal for modern intelligent analog addressable fire alarm systems where data packet integrity is paramount.

• Low-Power Notification Appliance Circuits (NAC): Powering auxiliary relays, local area strobes, annunciators, and compact sync modules.

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

• High-Rise Life-Safety Infrastructure: Deploying critical safety paths in skyscrapers, commercial complexes, healthcare facilities, and crowded transit hubs subject to strict local municipality codes.

Cable Layer Architecture (From Core to Jacket)

1. Conductors: 2 Independent 18 AWG solid bare copper lines.

2. Conductor Insulation: High-temperature Fluoropolymer (FEP), color-coded for quick identification.

3. Core Wrap: Clean assembly binding to optimize flexibility.

4. Electrostatic Shield: 100% Coverage Aluminum-Mylar Foil tape wrapped helper side down.

5. Drain Wire: Stranded tinned copper grounding helper running parallel to the core.

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

Circuit Identification: Standard 2-Conductor Layout

• Conductor 1: Black Insulation (Signal Negative / Common)

• Conductor 2: Red Insulation (Signal Positive / Main Zone Feed)

Technical Specifications

• Conductor Size: 18 AWG

• Number of Conductors: 2

• Conductor Type: Solid Bare Copper

• Insulation Material: High-Temperature Fluoropolymer (FEP)

• Shielding Type: Aluminum-Mylar Foil (100% Coverage)

• Drain Wire: Stranded Tinned Copper

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

• Voltage Rating: 300 Volts RMS Maximum

• Maximum Temperature Rating: 150°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: When installing 18/2 Shielded FPLP fire alarm loops, the metallic foil shield must be grounded at one end only—ideally at the main Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) terminal enclosure. Grounding the shield or drain wire at multiple junctions across field boxes can create dangerous ground loops. These loops introduce electrical noise and signal distortion that can corrupt microprocessor data on addressable circuits, leading to false alarms or system trouble faults.

CABLE TYPE: 18 AWG / 2-Conductor Solid Shielded Plenum-Rated Type FPLP 150°C Life-Safety Cable (Black/Red 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.