BS7917 Marine & Offshore Fire-Resistant Cables for Fixed Wiring

BS7917 Marine Cable for Fixed Wiring

Cleveland Cable Company is the UK's largest supplier of BS7917 cable. This is a specialist type of marine cable designed to maintain critical electrical circuits in the event of fire on a ship or offshore unit. It is used where continued operation of power, lighting, control, alarm, and communication systems is essential for safety and safe shutdown.

These cables give crews more time to evacuate safely and allow emergency systems to continue operating during a controlled shutdown, supporting ongoing inspection procedures after an incident on offshore structures.

Unlike standard building cables, BS7917 cable is built for demanding marine environments found on ships and offshore structures. They withstand vibration, moisture, oil, and salt atmosphere, while delivering fire-resistant performance tailored to ships and offshore structures.

BS7917 cable is commonly used for:

Emergency and escape route lighting
Fire detection, alarm, and public address systems
Essential power and control circuits

These cables give crews more time to evacuate safely and allow emergency systems to continue operating during a controlled shutdown.

What Does the BS7917 Standard Cover?

BS7917 is a British Standard for fire-resistant electrical cables used on ships and offshore units.

The standard specifies:

Performance during normal operation and fire conditions
Requirements for conductors, insulation, sheathing, and armour
Testing to confirm circuit integrity during a fire

Marine engineers, shipbuilders, and offshore operators use BS7917 to specify cables that meet recognised safety requirements for every electrical installation. The standard also supports consistent inspection and maintenance throughout the service life of marine structures.

Where Is BS7917 Cable Used?

BS7917 cable is suitable for fixed wiring in marine electrical installation projects, including:

Marine power, lighting, control, and instrumentation systems
Ships, offshore platforms, and floating production units
Safety-critical and emergency electrical circuits

Most BS7917 cables use low smoke, zero halogen (LSZH) compounds. Many specifications identify them as SW4 fixed wiring cable for marine installations.

Their construction and testing make them suitable for shipboard use, where ordinary building cables would not provide the required fire performance.

BS7917 Standard and Compliance

What Does BS7917 Specify?

BS7917 covers electrical cables designed for:

Fixed wiring on ships and offshore units
Power, lighting, control, and instrumentation circuits
Circuits that must remain operational during a fire

The standard defines cable construction, materials, dimensions, electrical performance, and mechanical performance through type testing.

It mainly applies to low-voltage marine electrical systems rather than high-voltage transmission or subsea power cables. Compliance with the standard also simplifies future inspection and testing, helping engineers verify that critical circuits continue to meet safety requirements on marine structures.

BS7917 vs BS6883

BS7917 and BS6883 are closely related marine cable standards, but they serve different purposes.

BS6883 covers general-purpose marine power and control cables.

BS7917 covers fire-resistant marine and ship cables designed to maintain circuit integrity during a fire.

In many marine projects:

BS6883 is used for standard power and control wiring.
BS7917 is specified for emergency and life-safety systems.

Engineers often use both standards within the same electrical installation to ensure every circuit has the correct level of protection across complex marine structures.

BS7917 Cable Applications

Emergency Lighting and Power

BS7917 cable is widely used for emergency electrical systems on ships and offshore platforms.

Typical applications include:

Emergency lighting
Escape route lighting
Fire pumps
Smoke extraction systems
Emergency switchboards
UPS supplies

These cables withstand vibration, temperature changes, and mechanical stress found throughout marine environments. Proper cable selection also supports easier inspection of emergency systems installed throughout marine structures.

Control and Instrumentation

Many safety systems rely on dependable control and instrumentation circuits.

BS7917 cable is commonly installed for:

Fire and gas detection
Alarm systems
Generator controls
Engine monitoring
Thruster controls
Emergency shutdown systems

Multi-core and multi-pair versions support both signal and control circuits while maintaining fire resistance.

Hazardous Areas

Fire-resistant BS7917 cable is often specified in high-risk areas, including:

Engine rooms
Machinery spaces
Control rooms
Emergency escape routes
Stairwells
Helideck support systems
Offshore process areas

These locations often require cables that produce low smoke and low toxic emissions while continuing to operate during a fire. Correct cable selection helps improve safety, supports compliance with marine regulations, and contributes to a reliable electrical installation in hazardous environments.