Fire Stranded Cables

Summary: Fire Stranded Cables

Fire Stranded Cables

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire low-voltage fire alarm cable to support reliable, code-driven installations in commercial and industrial facilities. Our stranded fire alarm cables are engineered for ease of pull, consistent terminations, and dependable signal performance in initiation, notification, and control circuits. Manufactured in the United States and supported by a dedicated B2B team, our fire cable products and solutions help contractors, integrators, and distributors standardize projects while managing costs.

Why choose SmartWire Fire Stranded Cables for your next project

• Built for installation efficiency: Stranded bare copper conductors and SmartWire Glide lubrication reduce friction during cable pulling by up to 70%, helping crews work faster with fewer re-pulls and less waste.
• Code-focused options: Plenum-rated FPLP and riser/non-plenum FPLR constructions cover common pathway requirements in modern fire alarm systems.
• Shielding where it counts: Shielded constructions are available for noise-sensitive runs near motors, VFDs, or other EMI sources; non-shielded options are available for standard fire alarm circuits.
• Consistent identification: Standard red jackets for fire applications and available conductor color codes (Black/Red or Black/Red/Blue/Orange) streamline terminations and testing.
• Project standardization: A broad range of gauges (12, 14, 16, 18 AWG) and custom jacket/stripe color options help organizations unify installations across multiple sites. Contact us to discuss custom color and stripe programs.

From tenant build-outs to large campus life safety upgrades, our fire alarm cables are designed to meet the demands of today’s low-voltage fire alarm systems. Pair our products with your preferred devices and panels for clean, well-managed installations built to last.

Available constructions

• 12 AWG 2 Conductor Stranded Non-Plenum FPLR (UL) 300V: Riser-rated, non-shielded fire alarm cable for vertical shafts and floor-to-floor runs where plenum rating is not required.
• 12 AWG 2 Conductor Stranded Plenum FPLP (UL) 300V: Plenum-rated, non-shielded cable for air-handling spaces requiring low smoke generation and flame spread control.
• 14 AWG 2 Conductor Stranded Plenum FPLP (UL) 300V: Plenum-rated, non-shielded option balancing current capacity and flexibility for general fire alarm circuits in return-air spaces.
• 16 AWG 2 Conductor Stranded Plenum FPLP (UL) 300V: Plenum-rated, non-shielded cable suited for initiation and control circuits where smaller conductor size is acceptable.
• 16 AWG 4 Conductor Stranded Shielded Non-Plenum UL Type TC/PLTC/FPL/NPLF 300V/600V (per applicable UL type): Multi-rated, shielded construction for combined circuits and noise-prone environments; suitable where tray cable or non-power-limited ratings are specified.
• 18 AWG 2 Conductor Stranded Plenum FPLP (UL) 300V: Plenum-rated, non-shielded cable for lighter-duty signaling and control runs in air-handling spaces.
• 18 AWG 2 Conductor Stranded Shielded Plenum FPLP (UL) 300V: Plenum-rated, shielded option to help mitigate EMI in sensitive detection or control circuits.

Product highlights

• Conductor material: Stranded bare copper for flexibility and durable terminations.
• Shielding options: Non-shielded and shielded constructions to match jobsite EMI conditions.
• Color identification: Standard conductor color codes include Black/Red and Black/Red/Blue/Orange; custom jacket and stripe colors available to align with your organization’s standards.
• Compliance: UL-listed FPLP and FPLR options; RoHS-compliant selections available.
• Application focus: Designed for fire alarm initiation, notification appliance circuits, supervisory and control circuits, and life safety interfaces in commercial and industrial buildings.

Value you can count on

Windy City Wire’s SmartWire fire alarm cables combine U.S. manufacturing, consistent quality, and practical installation features to help you deliver work on time and to spec. From submittals to procurement and project rollout, our team supports your success with dependable product availability and options that fit your scope. Contact us to review specifications, request quotes, or tailor a SmartWire program for your organization’s fire/life safety needs.

Solutions: Fire Stranded Cables

Fire Stranded Cables for Commercial and Industrial Fire Alarm Applications

Windy City Wire’s Fire Stranded Cables are engineered for power-limited fire alarm circuits across commercial and industrial environments. Built on stranded bare copper for flexibility and dependable terminations, these red-jacketed cables support the full range of initiating, notification, signaling, and control circuits encountered in modern life safety systems. Options include plenum (FPLP) and riser/non-plenum (FPLR/FPL) constructions, with both non-shielded and shielded selections available in multiple gauges to meet code, specification, and voltage drop requirements.

Where Fire Stranded Cables Are Used

• Fire alarm systems
  • Conventional and addressable detection (initiating device circuits, SLC/control circuits as permitted)
  • Notification Appliance Circuits (NAC) for horns, strobes, and combination AV devices
  • Emergency voice/alarm communication and voice evacuation (speaker circuits, supervision/control)
  • Sprinkler system monitoring (waterflow, tamper, supervisory devices)
  • Releasing and suppression interfaces (pre-action, deluge, clean agent control)
  • Smoke control and damper control signaling (where power-limited circuits are used)
  • Firefighter telephone/Warden phone supervision and control
  • Elevator recall and fire alarm control panel (FACP) interfaces
• Fire integrations and related building systems
  • Access control and door release tie-ins
  • Emergency communication/mass notification system triggers
  • HVAC shutdown and monitoring points tied to FACP
  • Generator and fuel shutoff control signaling
  • Public safety DAS/BDA alarm and supervisory tie-ins (control/supervisory conductors)
  • Emergency lighting control interfaces and monitoring
• Other low-voltage life safety and facility applications
  • General signaling and supervisory circuits requiring a red, identifiable cable
  • Industrial monitoring and interlock circuits when power-limited and permitted by code

Industries and Environments Served

• Healthcare and labs
• Higher education and K–12 campuses
• Data centers and critical facilities
• Manufacturing plants and warehouses
• Airports, transit, and transportation hubs
• Hospitality, arenas, and entertainment venues
• Commercial offices and mixed-use high-rise
• Government, municipal, and public safety facilities

Selecting the Right Fire Stranded Cable

• Plenum vs. non-plenum
  • FPLP (plenum) for use in environmental air spaces to meet plenum requirements.
  • FPLR/FPL (riser/non-plenum) for vertical shafts and general purpose areas as allowed by code.
• Shielding
  • Non-shielded for typical fire alarm circuits in low EMI environments.
  • Shielded to help mitigate noise near drives, generators, elevators, or communications backbones; useful for audio/voice circuits and sensitive signaling.
• Conductor count and color coding
  • 2-conductor constructions commonly used for initiating, notification, and control points (typical conductor colors: Black/Red).
  • 4-conductor constructions support multi-drop devices, speaker loops, or combined functions (typical conductor colors: Black/Red/Blue/Orange).
• Gauge and voltage drop
  • Available gauges: 12, 14, 16, and 18 AWG to optimize circuit length, load, and supervision thresholds.
  • Heavier gauges (e.g., 12 AWG) help control voltage drop on longer NAC and speaker runs; lighter gauges (e.g., 18 AWG) suit shorter or low-current circuits where permitted.

High-Temperature and Survivability Options

• 2-hour fire rated cable (survivability): Specify for circuits that must remain operational during a fire event, such as emergency voice/alarm, smoke control, firefighter telephones, and areas where UL 2196 or local survivability requirements apply. This helps meet NFPA 72 survivability objectives when required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
• Armored fire alarm cable: Provides added mechanical protection in exposed areas, industrial spaces, or where physical damage is a concern. In some jurisdictions, armored constructions can reduce or eliminate the need for separate metallic conduit for power-limited fire alarm wiring; always verify with local code and the AHJ.
• NYC approved fire cable: For New York City projects, specify fire alarm cable with the appropriate FDNY approvals and markings (e.g., for emergency communication or survivability circuits) to satisfy city-specific requirements. This is often required on high-rise, healthcare, and large assembly projects.

Compliance and Performance Notes

• Fire alarm listings such as FPLP (UL) and FPLR/FPL (UL) support use under NFPA 70 (NEC) Article 760 and NFPA 72 where applicable.
• Shielded and non-shielded constructions are available to align with system design and EMI considerations.
• Stranded bare copper conductors support easier pulls, improved flexibility in tight spaces, and reliable terminations at panels and devices.
• RoHS-compliant constructions support corporate environmental and sustainability objectives.

Typical Use Cases by Circuit Type

• Initiating circuits for smoke/heat detectors, pull stations, supervisory switches
• Notification circuits to horns, strobes, speakers, and combination devices
• Control/supervisory circuits for relays, dampers, shunt trips, and EPO interfaces
• Voice evacuation speaker and control wiring where shielding and gauge selection are critical
• Inter-system interfaces to access control, HVAC, generator, and emergency power systems

Spec and Procurement Guidance

• Match cable rating (FPLP vs. FPLR/FPL), shielding, and gauge to the exact device circuit classification and environment.
• Consider shielded options for audio, long control runs, or high-EMI areas.
• Use heavier gauges where circuit length and load require tighter voltage drop control, especially for NAC and speaker loops.
• For projects requiring survivability or mechanical protection, coordinate with the AHJ to determine if 2-hour fire rated or armored fire alarm cable is required.
• For NYC projects, reference the project specification and ensure NYC-approved fire alarm cable is selected for the required circuits.

Summary of Available Options in This Category

• Constructions: FPLP (plenum) and FPL/FPLR (non-plenum/riser)
• Shielding: Non-shielded and shielded
• Gauges: 12, 14, 16, and 18 AWG
• Conductor color sets: Black/Red (typical 2-conductor) and Black/Red/Blue/Orange (typical 4-conductor)

For design-build teams, electrical contractors, and fire alarm integrators, these stranded, power-limited fire alarm cables provide a dependable, code-aligned foundation for conventional and addressable systems, voice evacuation, and the wide range of supervisory and control interfaces found in today’s commercial and industrial facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions: Fire Stranded Cables

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

  Available conductor sizes include 12, 14, 16, and 18 AWG. Options in this category include both shielded and non-shielded constructions in plenum (FPLP) and non-plenum (FPL/FPLR) ratings.

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

  Conductor color codes include Black/Red (2-conductor) and Black/Red/Blue/Orange (4-conductor). The outer jacket is red. Custom jacket and stripe colors can be produced to standardize your commercial or industrial installs—contact Windy City Wire for details.

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

  Stranded bare copper conductors.

• What lengths are tehse SmartWire Fire stranded cables sold in?

  1,000 ft. At Windy City Wire, we manufacture and stock SmartWire low-voltage Fire wire in 1,000 ft length as our standard. FastFIND Footage Markers help you quickly calculate runs and track remaining footage to reduce waste on the job.

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

  SmartWire Fire cable is packaged in our patented RackPack carton to maximize installation efficiency across commercial and industrial projects. 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-handling spaces and uses low-smoke, low-flame materials to meet stricter code requirements. Non-plenum (FPL/FPLR) is intended for general purpose and riser applications outside of air plenums. Always verify with your project specifications and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

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

  2-Hour Fire Rated wire (often part of a UL 2196 system) is tested to maintain circuit integrity for 120 minutes under fire conditions and is required for specific life-safety circuits. NYC Approved Fire wire indicates compliance with New York City code and listing requirements for permitted cable types and applications; some NYC applications may require 2-hour circuit integrity while others may not. For details, consult the project AHJ and see NYC guidance here: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/rules/1_RCNY_4000-06_090208.pdf

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