Affiliated Customer Service Inc. | Sales - Service - Testing - Inspection | Chicago, Illinois

Affiliated Customer Service Inc. has over 40 years of experience in efficient handling of fire alarm needs at competitive prices. Whether your requirements involve a new installation, tenant build-outs, retrofit replacements, multiple site tests or servicing existing third party equipment, we have the experience, the onhand equipment and the labor force to cover it all. We serve the whole of Chicagoland, NW Indiana and Southern Wisconsin. Call us today at 630-434-7900.

Installing Mineral InsuIated (MI) Cable

by Gene Rowe Leave a Comment

Mark Hall and Ben Piper of Pentair Pyrotenax/Raychem, a manufacturer of mineral insulated (MI) cable, recently posted important information in our comments section regarding the installation of MI cable in Chicago and per UL standards.

Ben Piper pointed out Chicago allows MI to be installed without a raceway when used with a required fire alarm and/or emergency voice communication system. Additional exceptions to the mandatory use of raceways for these systems are elevator traveling cables and 2 hour rated metal clad (MC) cable that is listed as an electrical circuit protective system.

Mark Hall let us know that MI cable is tested by UL outside of raceways, so installing it in a raceway may violate the UL listing. If there is a question regarding the installation of MI in conduit, it appears that beyond being impractical and unnecessary, it may actually defeat the rating as well.

The issue regarding two hour rated cable use in fire alarm & voice evacuation systems is evolving. We’ll keep you up to speed as we find new details. For more information, leave a comment or contact us directly at 630.434.7900. Don’t forget to use Gamewell-FCI by Honeywell products for all you life safety needs!

Filed Under: 2 Hour Cabling, City of Chicago Articles, Code Requirements, Installation Requirements, Life Safety Articles, Uncategorized Tagged With: Chicago Building Code, Chicago CI Cable, CI Cable, CI Cable Chicago, CIC Cable, Circuit Integrity Cable, MI Cable, MI cable listing, Mineral Insulated Cable, Two Hour Cable Rating, Two Hour Rating, UL 2 hour cable, UL 2196, UL 2196 Cable, UL listed two hour cable

About Gene Rowe

Gene Rowe serves as the Director of Business Development for Affiliated Customer Service. He brings 30 years of fire alarm and emergency voice systems experience to the table with both an operational and marketing viewpoint. A US Army veteran, NICET IV certified, an executive board member of the IL-AFAA and a member of the NFPA, he began his career establishing operational expertise as a technician, developed graphic skills with CAD design as a general engineer, gained a ‘big picture’ mindset by moving to project management and finally a marketing perspective directing business development efforts. By interfacing with a broad range of diverse organizations such as the AFAA, CAA, AIA, CEA and the IFIA, he combines concerns of the owner, designer of record, contractor, distributor and approving authority to bring a unique perspective to Affiliated.

An avid marathon runner, he resides in west suburban Chicago with his wife and two sons. He's served the community as a Cub Scout Leader, as well as coaching multiple levels of travel and park district basketball, baseball and football teams. Professionally, he serves as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Illinois chapter of the Automatic Fire Alarm Association (IL-AFAA).

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