Plenum cable is
cable that is laid in the
plenum spaces of buildings. The plenum (pronounced as ) is the space that can facilitate air circulation for
heating and air conditioning systems, by providing pathways for either heated/conditioned or return airflows. Space between the structural ceiling and the
dropped ceiling or under a
raised floor is typically considered plenum; however, some drop ceiling designs create a tight seal that does not allow for airflow and therefore may not be considered a plenum air-handling space. The plenum space is typically used to house the communication cables for the building's
computer and
telephone network; however, it has been proposed that the growing abandonment of cable in plenum spaces may pose a serious hazard in the event of a
fire as once the fire reaches the plenum space the airflow present in the space supplies fresh oxygen to the flame and makes it grow much stronger than it would have otherwise been. Recent testing by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has shown that while flame spread is limited by accumulated cable bundles, other structural concerns may still exist due to increased load on suspended components. As plenum spaces are restricted from use as areas for storage, the principle behind removal of abandoned cable is that regulated removal prevents the use of plenum spaces as a storage area for abandoned cable. Additionally, no high-voltage powered equipment is allowed in the plenum space because presence of fresh air can greatly increase danger of rapid flame spreading should the equipment catch on fire.
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