BEAMA Premature Collapse Test Specification
21 September 2026
The purpose of this technical specification is to aid manufacturers, system designers, specifiers and installers to select and erect Wiring Systems to prevent cables from premature collapse due to the effects of heat caused by fire from an external source.
Cable Management Systems (CMS) manufactured from thermoplastic materials such as PVC-U will soften at around 80⁰C – 100⁰C and be molten from 180⁰C – 200⁰C. Therefore, the retention of cables in the event of a fire is unlikely. Systems manufactured from metallic materials with low melting points and composite materials may also be susceptible to premature collapse in the event of a fire. To overcome this issue supplementary metallic supports may be used, internally and / or externally to the system as advised by the manufacturer. The purpose of this technical specification is to enable verification of conformity of CMS with current 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022) regulation 521.10.202. This guidance is to be used for all Wiring Systems (as per BS 7671 110.1.2), which includes fixed wiring for information and communication technology, signalling, cables above false ceilings, control cables and similar systems.
The testing detailed in this technical specification applies to all types of CMS products intended to avoid premature collapse in the event of fire. These tests determine the ability of the CMS to withstand combustion / exhaust gases and heat without collapse but not exposure to the full effect of fire conditions. This covers the phase where egress to safety or ingress to effect rescue by emergency services is possible.