12/2 Shielded NYC Approved FPLP Fire Alarm Cable | 150C LL39

12 AWG 2-Conductor Shielded FPLP (Fire Power-Limited Plenum) Fire Alarm Cable is a heavy-duty, 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 150C (LL39 specification), this cable features two robust 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 larger 12 AWG 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 extra-long linear circuit runs or high-draw notification setups where voltage drop must be kept to an absolute minimum. It can be installed directly in environmental air plenums, air-handling ducts, drop ceilings, and open vertical shafts without requiring protective metallic conduit, providing an uncompromised path for addressable strobe notification circuits, emergency voice evacuation networks, and smoke control dampening relays.

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: 10.0 AMPS (Per Conductor) This represents the maximum safe continuous current limit for a 12 AWG multi-conductor configuration under normal ambient facility conditions before thermal dissipation constraints apply.

• 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 under high environmental heat.

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

• Heavy-Gauge Voltage Drop Mitigation: The robust 12 AWG conductor profile significantly reduces line resistance compared to standard 14 AWG or 16 AWG wires, making it the ideal choice for long runs or highly populated notification appliance circuits.

• 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.

Common Applications

• Long-Distance Addressable Signaling Loops: Connecting high-capacity smart detectors, manual pull stations, and addressable monitor modules across massive footprints or multi-floor spans.

• High-Draw Notification Appliance Circuits (NAC): Powering large arrays of synchronized horns, high-intensity strobes, and facility emergency exit beacons without triggering voltage drop faults.

• Voice Evacuation & Emergency Audio Systems: Routing high-fidelity, low-attenuation voice audio lines and emergency speaker grids across multiple building zones.

• 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 12 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: 12 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: 150C 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 12/2 Shielded FPLP fire alarm loops, the metallic foil shield must be grounded at one end onlyideally 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: 12 AWG / 2-Conductor Solid Shielded Plenum-Rated Type FPLP 150C 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.