RFS Introduces DragonSkin, The UL 2196-Certified Coaxial Cable For Faster, Easier In-Building Installations

Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), a global designer and manufacturer of total-package solutions for wireless and broadcast infrastructure, today announced it has successfully delivered a standalone coaxial cable that is certified to meet the UL 2196 Standard for Fire Test for Circuit Integrity of Fire-Resistive Power, Instrumentation, Control, and Data Cables.

The half-inch coaxial cable — branded DragonSkin — is the first in-building coaxial cable to pass the stringent UL 2196 certification test without use of a metal conduit or extensive wrapping. RFS cables with UL 2196 certification are proven to be fireproof and are key to ensuring emergency responders and building occupants can continue to communicate during fires in buildings. DragonSkin continues the RFS legacy of providing the industry with innovative firsts that last.

Proven to pass RF signals in severe fire conditions

In-building cables with UL 2196 certification are required in a number of jurisdictions in the United States. The UL certification test subjects the cable to the high heat and water conditions that occur during severe fires in buildings, verifying the cable continues to operate despite the extreme stresses applied to it. To receive UL 2196 certification, an in-building coaxial cable must survive even when it is exposed to temperatures up to 1000 °C (1832 °F) for two hours then suddenly cooled down with water from a fire hose.

Above and beyond all other in-building communications cables

All previous fire-protected in-building cables were either shielded in metal conduit or extensively wrapped in fire-resistant materials. These additional protection measures increase cable size, weight, and cost. They also reduce the cable’s bending radius, making installation more difficult, time-consuming, and expensive — especially in cases where existing buildings are being retrofitted to meet the UL 2196 standard.

In contrast, DragonSkin is only half an inch in diameter, does not require conduit, does not include extensive wrapping, and maintains its full bending radius. As a result, it dramatically simplifies, accelerates, and reduces the cost of installing fireproof communications cables compared to existing options. The half-inch cable size also means that standard RFS connectors can be used. The cable’s red color immediately identifies it to anyone working on building wiring as a mission-critical communications cable.

Resolving a key industry challenge

RFS’ DragonSkin cable enables cellular and public safety radio communications to and from people on all floors of a burning building, a critically important capability during fires in high-rise buildings where many people may be located above the fire.

“We are extremely proud to share the news that our innovative heat- and waterproof DragonSkin cable has passed the incredibly challenging UL 2196 certification test,” says Tom Kuklo, Global Product Manager for In-Building Solutions at RFS. “We listened carefully to what the industry needed to maintain communications in burning buildings and we didn’t stop our development efforts until we successfully met the challenge. This cable reflects our deep commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and ensuring people have reliable access to communications when they need it most.”

DragonSkin is the ideal solution to strengthen in-building communications today and into the future. The fireproof cable complements the company’s industry-leading line of indoor, plenum-rated ICA cables. RFS’ indoor cables are recognized around the world for their ability to meet key fire safety standards, including CMP, CATVP, CPR and Canadian CSA C.22.2/FT6 standards. They are also ETL listed to UL 444.

About RFS
Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) is a global designer and manufacturer of cable, antenna and tower systems, plus active and passive RF conditioning modules, providing total-package solutions for wireless infrastructure.

RFS serves OEMs, distributors, system integrators, operators and installers in the broadcast, wireless communications, land-mobile and microwave market sectors. As an ISO compliant organization with manufacturing and customer service facilities that span the globe, RFS offers cutting-edge engineering capabilities, superior field support and innovative product design. RFS is a leader in wireless infrastructure.