Fire Shielded | Plenum Cables

Summary: Fire Shielded | Plenum Cables

Fire Shielded | Plenum Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures low-voltage SmartWire® fire alarm cable that is purpose-built for commercial and industrial life safety systems. Our shielded plenum fire alarm cable (FPLP (UL)) supports reliable signal integrity in the most demanding plenum air spaces, helping contractors, integrators and facility teams meet code requirements and jobsite timelines with confidence. By combining consistent electrical performance with practical installation features, our products and solutions help reduce total project hours and rework while supporting clean, organized installs.

Why choose Windy City Wire for shielded plenum fire alarm cable

• Code-driven performance: FPLP (UL) plenum-rated constructions for use in environmental air spaces and life safety control circuits.
• Noise mitigation: O/A foil shield and drain provide effective protection against EMI/RFI in electrically noisy commercial environments (mechanical rooms, VFDs, elevators).
• Installation efficiency: SmartWire Glide Technology® is our name for the jacket lubrication applied during manufacturing; this Glide lubrication reduces pull friction by up to 70% to speed pulls and help protect cable during installation.
• Run management: FastFIND Footage Markers on the cable jacket make footage calculations fast and help crews track remaining cable, improve material planning, and reduce waste across projects.
• Consistency for B2B projects: U.S.-manufactured SmartWire supports standardized installations across multiple sites and contractors.
• Identification and standardization: Conductor color codes and optional jacket/stripe color customization help teams quickly identify circuits and maintain enterprise standards.

Applications

• Fire alarm control and initiating device circuits
• Notification appliance circuits
• Supervisory, monitoring, and control circuits for life safety systems
• Interfaces with smoke control, dampers, elevators, fire pump controllers, and other auxiliary equipment

At-a-glance options

• Shielding: Shielded (O/A foil with drain)
• Available AWGs: 14, 16, 18
• Conductor color codes: Black/Red (2C), Black/Red/Brown/Blue (4C)

Available constructions

1. 14 AWG 2 Conductor Solid Bare Copper Plenum 300V (FPLP (UL)): Shielded with O/A foil for noise reduction; suited for longer runs and circuits requiring lower voltage drop.
2. 16 AWG 2 Conductor Solid Bare Copper Plenum 300V (FPLP (UL)): Shielded with O/A foil; a common choice for addressable loops and control signaling in plenum spaces.
3. 16 AWG 2 Conductor Stranded Bare Copper Plenum 300V (FPLP (UL)): Shielded with O/A foil; added flexibility for tight pathways, device terminations, and frequent panel or cabinet routing.
4. 16 AWG 4 Conductor Solid Bare Copper Plenum 300V (FPLP (UL)): Shielded with O/A foil; consolidates multiple circuits or zones to streamline pulls and reduce pathway congestion.
5. 18 AWG 2 Conductor Solid Bare Copper Plenum 300V (FPLP (UL)): Shielded with O/A foil; a workhorse option for many initiating device and control circuits.
6. 18 AWG 4 Conductor Solid Bare Copper Plenum 300V (FPLP (UL)): Shielded with O/A foil; supports multi-device drops or combined functions while maintaining plenum compliance.

Conductor identification

• 2C: Black/Red
• 4C: Black/Red/Brown/Blue

How Windy City Wire adds value to your next project

• Built for B2B life safety work: Our shielded plenum fire alarm cable is engineered for commercial job sites where code compliance, documentation, and repeatable performance matter.
• Speed and accuracy on site: FastFIND Footage Markers help crews plan point‑to‑point runs, verify remaining footage quickly, and reduce leftover cable by enabling effective use of partial boxes on service calls.
• Reduced pulling effort: SmartWire Glide lubrication lowers friction up to 70%, improving pull consistency through long, complex pathways and helping protect cable in high-density conduit.
• Standardize across locations: SmartWire jacket and stripe color customization helps organizations create a recognizable, on-site standard that simplifies troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Partner reliability: As a U.S. manufacturer focused on low-voltage products and solutions, we support procurement teams and installers with consistent lead times and dependable quality control.

When you need shielded plenum fire alarm cable that delivers clean signals, plenum compliance, and practical installation advantages, SmartWire from Windy City Wire is a strong fit for commercial fire alarm systems. Explore our shielded plenum FPLP (UL) options in 14 AWG, 16 AWG, and 18 AWG to match the run length, voltage drop, and circuit requirements of your next build.

Note on terminology

• SmartWire is the brand name of Windy City Wire’s low-voltage cable, manufactured in the United States.
• FastFIND Footage Markers are sequential footage markers on the cable jacket for easy measurements and waste reduction.
• SmartWire Glide Technology refers to the lubrication applied to the jacket during manufacturing; it is not a technology feature of the cable itself.

Solutions: Fire Shielded | Plenum Cables

Fire Shielded | Plenum Cables for Commercial Life Safety Systems

Windy City Wire provides shielded, plenum-rated fire alarm cable engineered for commercial and industrial environments where code compliance, signal integrity, and long-term reliability are essential. These FPLP (UL) cables use bare copper conductors and an overall foil shield to help reduce noise, maintain clear communications, and meet requirements for installation in air-handling spaces. With multiple gauges and conductor counts, our low-voltage fire alarm wire supports both conventional and addressable fire alarm systems as well as integrated life safety applications.

Where Fire Shielded Plenum Cables Are Used

• Fire Alarm Systems
  • Conventional (zoned) and addressable SLC loops requiring stable data transmission and reduced EMI/RFI
  • Notification Appliance Circuits (NAC) powering strobes, horns, and speakers
  • Voice evacuation and mass notification audio circuits (25V/70V) where shielding helps preserve audio clarity
  • Initiating device circuits: smoke detectors, heat detectors, pull stations, waterflow/tamper switches
  • Control and supervisory circuits: elevator recall, damper control, smoke control, and fan shutdown
  • Releasing circuits for clean agent and pre-action/suppression systems
• Fire Integrations and Building Systems
  • Integration to BMS/EMS for alarm, trouble, and supervisory signals
  • Interfaces with access control, door holders, and lockdown systems
  • Emergency communication systems, firefighter telephone, and paging interfaces
  • Generator/ATS status, UPS monitoring, and other auxiliary control signals
  • CCTV and security system tie-ins where shielded fire alarm cable is specified for shared pathways
• Industries and Facilities
  • Healthcare and life sciences: hospitals, clinics, labs
  • Education: K–12, higher education, campus environments
  • Commercial office, mixed-use, and high-rise residential common areas
  • Industrial and manufacturing, warehouses, logistics centers
  • Hospitality, entertainment, arenas, and public assembly spaces
  • Data centers, critical facilities, utilities, and transportation hubs
  • Retail, distribution, and multi-site portfolios

Why Plenum-Rated, Shielded Fire Alarm Cable

• Code-driven safety in air spaces: FPLP (UL) cable is designed for plenum air-handling spaces and meets the flame and smoke requirements for these areas.
• EMI/RFI mitigation: An overall foil shield helps protect low-voltage fire alarm signals from interference in electrically noisy environments.
• Signal integrity: Better data performance for addressable loops and clearer audio for voice evacuation and mass notification systems.
• Durability and consistency: Bare copper conductors support solid terminations at panels, modules, and devices across large commercial installations.
• Compliance focus: Built to applicable standards for fire alarm cable, including UL FPLP and NEC Article 760; RoHS compliant constructions support environmental requirements.

Available Constructions and Typical Uses

• Multiple gauges: 14 AWG, 16 AWG, and 18 AWG options to balance voltage drop, run length, and device load.
  • 18 AWG: Common for SLC/initiating device circuits and low-current control.
  • 16 AWG and 14 AWG: Often preferred for NAC, speaker circuits, and longer runs to manage voltage drop and maintain audio performance.
• Conductor counts: 2-conductor for point-to-point or loop runs; 4-conductor for speaker A/B, dual circuits, or combined control/supervisory where permitted.
• Shielding: Overall aluminum foil shield supports noise-sensitive circuits and is frequently recommended or required by fire alarm manufacturers.
• Color coding: Conductor color options include Black/Red (2C) and Black/Red/Brown/Blue (4C) to streamline identification and terminations in the field.

When to Specify Specialized Fire Cabling

• 2-hour fire rated cable: For pathway survivability (e.g., firefighter communications, emergency voice/alarm systems, and critical control circuits) where code or the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requires a 2-hour rating. This cable helps maintain circuit functionality during fire conditions.
• Armored fire alarm cable: Adds mechanical protection against physical damage and may reduce the need for conduit in some applications (per code and AHJ). Useful in industrial environments, exposed runs, and retrofit work.
• NYC approved fire cable: For projects within New York City that must meet specific local approvals and listings. Often used in high-rise, mixed-use, and public assembly projects to align with FDNY requirements.

Selection Tips for Engineers and Installers

• Confirm the correct rating for the space: FPLP for plenums; use riser or general-purpose ratings elsewhere, or specialized survivability cable when required.
• Size conductors for distance and load: follow manufacturer voltage drop guidance for NAC and speaker circuits; verify tolerance for SLC loop lengths.
• Use shielded fire alarm cable on audio, data loops, and control where interference is a concern or specified by the fire alarm manufacturer.
• Observe separation from power circuits per NEC and local code; bond/terminate shields as specified to avoid ground loops and noise issues.
• Plan for future capacity: consider 4-conductor where appropriate to reduce home runs and simplify adds/changes.

Applications at a Glance

• Addressable SLC wiring to detectors, modules, and annunciators
• NAC wiring to horns, strobes, speaker-strobes, and control relays
• Audio circuits for emergency voice and mass notification systems
• Control and monitoring ties to HVAC shutdown, smoke control, and dampers
• Releasing circuits for clean agent, pre-action, and specialty suppression

Whether you are designing a new life safety system or upgrading existing infrastructure, Windy City Wire’s shielded, plenum-rated fire alarm cable provides the code-compliant performance and consistent installation experience required by commercial fire alarm contractors, integrators, and facility owners. When projects call for additional resilience or local approvals, our portfolio extends to 2-hour fire rated cable, armored fire alarm cable, and NYC approved fire cable to support critical pathway survivability and jurisdictional compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions: Fire Shielded | Plenum Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire Fire shielded plenum cables?

  14 AWG, 16 AWG, and 18 AWG options are available to meet a wide range of commercial and industrial fire alarm and life-safety specifications.

• What other colors are these SmartWire Fire shielded plenum cables available in?

  Conductor color codes include Black/Red (2-conductor) and Black/Red/Brown/Blue (4-conductor). Custom SmartWire jacket and stripe color combinations can be made to standardize your installations—contact Windy City Wire for details.

• Are these SmartWire Fire shielded plenum cables made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  Both are available, depending on the construction. Most options use solid bare copper, and a stranded 16 AWG 2-conductor shielded plenum option is also offered for added flexibility.

• What lengths are these SmartWire Fire shielded plenum cables sold in?

  Windy City Wire manufactures and stocks SmartWire low-voltage Fire wire in 1,000 ft length as our standard length. For faster installs, SmartWire includes FastFIND Footage Markers every two feet for easy pull measurements, and SmartWire Glide lubrication to reduce pull friction by up to 70%.

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

  Our SmartWire Fire wire is packaged in our patented RackPack carton to maximize labor savings and job-site efficiency. 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-rated (FPLP) cable is designed for use in environmental air spaces (such as return-air plenums) and meets stringent flame and smoke requirements. Non-plenum options (e.g., FPLR riser or general-purpose FPL) are not permitted in air-handling spaces but are acceptable in vertical shafts or general pathways where allowed by code. Always follow NEC Article 760 and your AHJ’s requirements.

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

  2-Hour Fire Rated wire is tested for circuit integrity (survivability), typically to UL 2196, to maintain operation for up to two hours under fire conditions. NYC Approved Fire wire refers to products that meet New York City’s specific rules, listings, and approvals; not all 2-hour cables are automatically NYC-approved, and vice versa. Verify the exact listing and approval for your project. More information: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/rules/1_RCNY_4000-06_090208.pdf

Additional Links:

• Learn more about our SmartWire Cable
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