Fire classification of cables — CPR (NEN-EN 50575) and NEN 8012

Since 1 July 2016/2017, cables that are permanently installed in a construction work must comply with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR, Regulation (EU) 305/2011), elaborated in NEN-EN 50575. This is a different standard from the [fire-resistant cable penetrations guide](/guides/cable/brandwerende-kabeldoorvoeringen) (NEN-EN 1366-3): the latter covers sealing a penetration through a fire compartment wall, while this guide covers the reaction-to-fire behaviour of the cable material itself (the degree to which a cable contributes to fire spread and smoke development).

The Euroclasses (Aca to Fca)

NEN-EN 50575 defines seven fire classes for cables, denoted with the suffix "ca" (cable):

• Aca — no contribution to fire.
• B1ca / B2ca — very limited contribution.
• Cca — limited contribution.
• Dca — greater contribution to fire and smoke development than Cca.
• Eca — basic level (resistance to flame spread for a short period).
• Fca — no classification demonstrated (not permitted for permanent building installations).

In addition to the main class (A–F), the classification includes additional sub-classifications: s (smoke production: s1/s2/s3), d (droplets, burning droplets: d0/d1/d2), and a (acidity/corrosivity of smoke gases: a1/a2/a3). A full classification looks like, for example, "Dca-s2,d2,a2".

NEN 8012 — the Dutch implementation

The CPR itself does not prescribe a minimum class per building type — that choice is left to each member state. In the Netherlands this is elaborated in NEN 8012, which (unlike the seven European classes) limits the number of practically selectable classes and sets a minimum per usage function via flowcharts/risk factors within the standard itself.

Note: the exact minimum required class per building function follows from the flowcharts in NEN 8012 itself (depending on usage function, escape-route status and available fire-safety provisions) — this article gives the classification principle, not an exhaustive table per building type.

Why this is relevant

• Escape routes and occupied spaces with elevated risk generally require a higher class (Cca or higher) than regular utility spaces (where Dca is often the practical minimum).
• Smoke classification has been tightened: for cables with fire class Dca, the minimum smoke class is now s2 (previously s3) — a cable that met the older s3 requirement does not automatically still meet the current requirement.
• When extending cabling in an existing hall (for example additional supply cables for assimilation lighting or climate equipment), the cable used must achieve the same CPR class as the rest of the installation in that usage function — a lower class "because it's only a few metres anyway" is not permitted.

Common mistakes

1. Confusing CPR fire classification with penetration sealing (NEN-EN 1366-3) — these are two separate, complementary requirements: the cable itself and the penetration it passes through must each meet their own standard.
2. Assuming every member state applies the same minimum class per building type — the CPR Euroclasses are harmonised at European level, but the mandatory minimum class is filled in nationally (in the Netherlands via NEN 8012).
3. Reusing a cable with outdated s3 smoke classification in an application that now requires s2, without verifying this.

Related

• Fire-resistant cable penetrations (NEN-EN 1366-3)
• Core colours (NEN-EN-IEC 60445)