Fire 2 Hour Fire Cable | Shielded PVC Cables

Summary: Fire 2 Hour Fire Cable | Shielded PVC Cables

Fire 2 Hour Fire Cable | Shielded PVC Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire® low-voltage fire alarm cable designed for demanding commercial and industrial environments. Our shielded, 2-hour fire-resistive constructions support critical life-safety circuits while helping contractors meet code and performance requirements across plenum and non-plenum spaces. As a U.S. manufacturer in Bolingbrook, IL, we focus on reliable products and practical solutions—so you can specify with confidence and install with fewer jobsite issues.

Why choose Windy City Wire for your next fire alarm project

• Code-focused performance: Shielded low-voltage fire alarm cable that meets UL 1424 listings (FPL, FPLR, or FPLP as noted per construction) and supports 2-hour fire-resistive pathways when installed per the applicable FHIT system (e.g., ANSI/UL 2196 FHIT System 28B).
• Cleaner pulls, fewer rework cycles: SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied during manufacturing to reduce pulling friction by up to 70% for consistent, efficient installation through conduit and long runs.
• Noise mitigation built in: Shielded designs (including aluminum/aramid composite shield on select items) help reduce EMI/RFI on sensitive SLC, NAC, voice evacuation, and control circuits.
• Standardized identification: Red jacket and black/red conductor color code help teams maintain consistency across jobs and simplify field identification.
• Right sizes and lengths: Available in multiple gauges (14, 16, 18 AWG) and in 1,000 FT and 5,000 FT lengths to align with estimating, staging, and installation plans.
• Made in the USA: SmartWire cable is manufactured in the United States and supported by a B2B team that understands commercial fire alarm applications.

Where these fire alarm cables perform

• Commercial fire alarm and life-safety systems, including initiating circuits, notification appliance circuits (NAC), addressable SLC loops, and fire control interfaces.
• Plenum air-handling spaces (FPLP), vertical risers (FPLR), and general-purpose areas (FPL) as specified per construction and local code.
• Facilities requiring shielded low-voltage cable to minimize interference: healthcare, education, high-rise, industrial plants, and large campuses.

Category highlights

• Shielding: Shielded constructions for enhanced signal integrity; select non-plenum designs utilize an aluminum/aramid shield.
• Available gauges: 14 AWG, 16 AWG, 18 AWG.
• Standard conductor color code: Black/Red. Jacket color: Red.
• Lengths: 1,000 FT and 5,000 FT options.
• Low-voltage: All constructions are 300V fire alarm cable per UL 1424 category as noted.

Available constructions

• 14 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum (FPLP) 300V: 2-hour fire-resistive, shielded plenum cable for environmental air spaces in commercial life-safety systems. Aluminum/aramid shielding improves noise rejection for reliable signaling.
• 14 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Non-Plenum (FPL/CL3R) LSZH 300V: Riser/general-purpose shielded fire alarm cable with low-smoke zero halogen insulation for added occupant safety. Designed for 2-hour fire-resistive pathways when installed per the applicable FHIT system.
• 16 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum (FPLP) 300V: Shielded plenum cable for 2-hour fire-resistive system installations in air-handling spaces. Well-suited for initiating, notification, and control circuits in commercial fire alarm systems.
• 16 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Riser (FPLR) LSZH 300V: Shielded 2-hour fire alarm cable listed to UL 1424 FPLR for vertical shafts and risers. LSZH insulation and composite shielding help reduce smoke and electromagnetic interference.
• 18 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper Plenum (FPLP) 300V: Compact, shielded plenum cable for addressable loops and control circuits in air plenums. Supports 2-hour fire-resistive system requirements when installed per the FHIT system.
• 18 AWG 2 Conductor Bare Copper General Purpose (FPL) LSZH 300V: Shielded 2-hour fire alarm cable for corridors and open areas outside risers and plenums. UL 1424 FPL listing and LSZH construction support safety and compliance objectives.

How Windy City Wire adds value

• Products and solutions built for contractors: From spec through punch list, our goal is to help crews finish faster with consistent, code-appropriate cable that pulls smoothly and installs cleanly.
• Specification support: Product documentation, submittals, and guidance to match the right FPL/FPLR/FPLP construction to your building type and pathway requirements.
• Customization options: SmartWire offers broad choices in jacket and stripe colors to standardize your organization’s installations and streamline identification across projects.
• Consistent quality: U.S.-manufactured SmartWire and process controls deliver dependable performance across large commercial rollouts and industrial facilities.

Plan your next project with confidence

Partner with Windy City Wire for shielded, low-voltage 2-hour fire alarm cable that aligns with UL 1424, supports UL 2196 system compliance, and helps reduce installation friction in the field. Contact our team for product selection, quotes, and submittals tailored to your commercial or industrial fire alarm application.

Note: Certifications and ratings vary by construction. Always install per local codes and the specific FHIT system requirements to achieve a 2-hour fire-resistive rating.

Solutions: Fire 2 Hour Fire Cable | Shielded PVC Cables

Fire 2‑Hour Fire Cable | Shielded PVC Cables

Windy City Wire supplies shielded, two‑conductor, 2‑hour fire resistive alarm cable designed for demanding commercial and industrial life safety applications. Built for B2B needs—contractors, integrators, engineers, and facility teams—these cables help maintain circuit integrity during a fire, support clear signal transmission, and align with common code and specification requirements. Options include plenum (FPLP) and non‑plenum (FPLR/FPL) constructions, with a consistent red jacket and black/red conductor color code for straightforward identification in the field.

Where this cable is used in fire alarm systems and life safety integrations

• Fire alarm systems: conventional, addressable, and networked/voice evacuation (mass notification/ECS)
• Initiating and signaling circuits: SLC, NAC, IDC, control relays, supervisory and monitoring circuits
• Integrated life safety functions: elevator recall/shunt trip, smoke control and stairwell pressurization, door holders and magnetic releases, fire/smoke dampers, fire pump monitoring, firefighter telephones, area of refuge/area of rescue assistance
• Suppression and detection interfaces: clean agent release, pre‑action valves, kitchen hood suppression interlocks, duct/aspirating/specialty detection, CO detection tie‑ins
• Cross‑system links: access control fail‑safe unlocking, BMS notifications, generator/alarm supervisory contacts, paging/voice evacuation paths where permitted by code

Why 2‑hour fire rated cable matters

• Pathway survivability: 2‑hour fire resistive cable helps maintain critical alarm, control, and voice evacuation functions during a fire, supporting pathway survivability objectives described in NFPA 72 for designated circuits and areas.
• UL compliance: Select constructions are evaluated to ANSI/UL 2196 within an FHIT system and listed to UL 1424 (FPL/FPLR/FPLP), providing a clear basis for specification and acceptance by Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).
• Signal integrity under stress: Shielded designs help mitigate electromagnetic interference from elevators, generators, VFDs, and building power, reducing nuisance alarms and communication errors when reliability matters most.

Construction and options in this category

• Conductors: Bare copper, 2‑conductor, black/red color code for quick device and polarity identification
• Shielding: Aluminum/aramid or equivalent shielding across the lineup for noise reduction and improved system stability
• Jacket and insulation: Red PVC jackets with plenum (FPLP) and non‑plenum (FPLR/FPL) options; select non‑plenum constructions utilize low smoke zero halogen insulation
• Available gauges: 14 AWG, 16 AWG, and 18 AWG to balance voltage drop and run length across SLC, NAC, and control circuits
• Lengths: Available in 1000 FT and 5000 FT put‑ups to match project scale and reduce changeovers on large installations

Selecting the right cable for your environment

• Plenum areas (FPLP): For ducts and environmental air spaces, use plenum rated shielded fire alarm cable.
• Riser and general spaces (FPLR/FPL): Choose non‑plenum shielded options for vertical shafts and general‑purpose runs where allowed by the local code.
• Gauge choice (14/16/18 AWG): Match conductor size to circuit current and distance to manage voltage drop and meet device specifications.
• UL 2196 installation details: For 2‑hour fire resistive applications, follow the specific FHIT system instructions (components, supports, methods) required by the listing and your AHJ.

High‑temperature and code‑driven alternatives across our portfolio

• 2‑hour fire rated cable: This category delivers fire‑resistive performance for mission‑critical circuits requiring survivability.
• Armored fire alarm cable: When mechanical protection, crush resistance, or exposed‑run durability is required, armored fire alarm cable can help meet project or AHJ needs without additional conduit in some scenarios.
• NYC approved fire cable: For projects in New York City, we offer NYC approved fire cable options to address local requirements—consult your AHJ and project specifications.

Industries and facilities that rely on shielded 2‑hour fire alarm cable

• Healthcare and hospitals, laboratories, and life sciences
• High‑rise and mixed‑use commercial buildings, corporate campuses
• Data centers and critical facilities
• Airports, transportation hubs, and transit infrastructure
• Education, stadiums/arenas, museums, and public venues
• Industrial manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing
• Hospitality, multifamily, and senior living
• Government, defense, and public safety facilities

Benefits for contractors, integrators, and building owners

• Reliability and continuity: Maintains alarm and control functionality for critical life safety circuits during a fire event.
• Cleaner installs and fewer callbacks: Shielding helps reduce EMI‑related issues around high‑energy equipment.
• Spec‑friendly options: FPLP, FPLR, and FPL listings, with 14/16/18 AWG choices, streamline design and submittals.
• Project efficiency: 1000 FT and 5000 FT lengths support both standard and large‑scale projects.

Key technical notes

• Listings include UL 1424 (FPL, FPLR, FPLP) and, on select constructions, ANSI/UL 2196 FHIT fire resistive system compliance.
• Use in accordance with NFPA 70/72, local amendments, and the AHJ. Always follow the specific FHIT system installation instructions when 2‑hour survivability is required.

Whether you are wiring SLC/NAC loops in a high‑rise, integrating smoke control and elevator recall in a hospital, or delivering voice evacuation in an airport terminal, Windy City Wire’s shielded, 2‑hour fire rated cable lineup provides a dependable pathway for life safety signals—plenum and non‑plenum—backed by the ratings and performance your specifications demand.

Frequently Asked Questions: Fire 2 Hour Fire Cable | Shielded PVC Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire Fire 2 Hour Fire Cable | Shielded PVC cables?

  Available in 14 AWG, 16 AWG, and 18 AWG.

• What other colors are these SmartWire Fire 2 Hour Fire Cable | Shielded PVC cables available in?

  This cable is supplied with a Black/Red conductor color code. SmartWire® can also be produced with custom jacket and stripe colors to standardize your installations—contact Windy City Wire for customization options.

• Are these SmartWire Fire 2 Hour Fire Cable | Shielded PVC cables made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  It uses bare copper conductors; solid construction is standard for these 2-conductor fire alarm cables. If your specification requires stranded conductors, contact us to review available options.

• What lengths are these SmartWire Fire 2 Hour Fire Cable | Shielded PVC cables sold in?

  At Windy City Wire, we manufacture and stock SmartWire low-voltage Fire wire in a 1,000 ft length as our standard. This cable is also available in a 5,000 ft length.

• How is your SmartWire low-voltage Fire cables sold on spools or in boxes?

  Our SmartWire Fire wire is packaged and sold in our patented RackPack carton for efficient, professional deployment on commercial and industrial jobs. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

• What is the main difference between Plenum vs Non-Plenum low-voltage Fire wire?

  Plenum (FPLP) cable is listed for use in environmental air-handling spaces and meets the most stringent flame and smoke requirements. Non-Plenum options include Riser (FPLR) for vertical shafts between floors and General Purpose (FPL) for other non-plenum spaces. Always select the listing required by your local code and building application.

• What is the difference between 2-Hour Fire Rated wire and NYC Approved Fire wire?

  2-Hour Fire Rated wire is tested and listed to maintain circuit integrity under fire conditions for up to two hours when installed per its UL 2196 (FHIT) system—commonly required for survivability circuits (e.g., emergency voice/alarm communication). NYC Approved Fire wire refers to cables that meet New York City–specific rules and approvals for fire alarm installations; these are jurisdictional compliance requirements and do not necessarily imply a 2-hour circuit-integrity rating. Some NYC projects may require both. For NYC requirements, see: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/rules/1_RCNY_4000-06_090208.pdf

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