Fiber Optic Cable Jackets and Fire Ratings Explained

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VincentMay 06, 20251 min read

When deploying fiber optic cabling, safety and performance go hand in hand. One critical yet often overlooked component is the fiber optic cable jacket. It shields the fiber core from environmental threats and plays a major role in fire safety compliance. In this article, we'll explore what a fiber optic cable jacket is, the common optical fiber cable jacket materials, the classification of fiber optic cable fire ratings (such as OFNP vs OFNR), and how to select the appropriate jacket type for different installation environments.What Is a Fiber Optic Cable Jacket？A fiber optic cable jacket is the outermost protective layer of an optical fiber cable. Structurally, a fiber cable comprises the core, cladding, coating, strength member, and outer jacket. The fiber jacket protects against moisture, UV exposure, chemicals, and mechanical abrasion. According to the TIA-598 color coding standard, different types of fiber optic patch cables are distinguished by their jacket colors. It also helps with cable identification—for example, OS2 single mode cables typically have yellow jackets, while OM4 multimode cablesoften feature aqua jackets.What Are the Materials of Fiber Optic Cable Jackets？Selecting the right cable jacket material is vital for durability, fire code compliance, and environmental performance. Below are the most commonly used fiber optic cable jacket materials and their key characteristics:Jacket MaterialFeaturesPE (Polyethylene)Excellent moisture, abrasion, and corrosion resistance; good electrical and chemical stability; HDPE is harder and heat-resistant; LDPE is more flexible. Ideal for outdoor use.PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride )Low cost, flexible, flame-retardant, good mechanical strength; emits toxic gases when burned. Commonly used indoors.PVDF (Polyvinyl Difluoride)Lightweight, flame-resistant, chemical and heat resistant, with low smoke emission.LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen)Emits minimal smoke, no halogens, is highly flame-resistant, environmentally safe, and most expensive. Suitable for enclosed public spaces.What Are Fiber Optic Cable Jacket Ratings?Fiber optic cable fire ratings, defined by the National Electrical Code (NEC), with each code indicating different flame resistance levels and cable structures. "OF" refers to optical fiber, "N" means non-conductive, "C" means conductive, while"P", "R", and "G" stand for Plenum, Riser, and General-purpose, respectively. Plenum-rated (P) cables offer the highest fire resistance, followed by Riser (R), and then General-purpose (G). A higher fire rating typically supports installation in more demanding and wider application environments.NEC CodeTypeFire Resistance LevelsApplicationsOFNPOptic Fiber Non-conductive Plenum1Ventilation ducts, ducts, plenum, or return air pressurization systemsOFCPOptic Fiber Conductive PlenumOFNROptic Fiber Non-conductive Riser2Vertical backbonesOFCROptic Fiber Conductive RiserOFNGOptic Fiber Non-conductive General-Purpose3General purpose, horizontalOFCGOptic Fiber Conductive General-PurposeOFNOptic Fiber Non-conductive4General purposeOFCOptic Fiber ConductiveHow To Choose the Right Fiber Optic Cable Jacket?Now that we've reviewed common cable jacket materials and NEC fire rating classifications, how do you determine which fiber cable jacket best fits your specific installation scenario? The right choice depends on several key factors: fire safety compliance, installation environment, and application layout. Let’s break it down.By Fire RatingDifferent environments require different fire ratings. Selecting the right fiber optic cable fire rating is essential for ensuring that your cable jacket meets safety regulations.OFNP (Plenum Rated): This is the highest fire rating, suitable for plenum areas (e.g., air ducts and ceiling voids).OFNR (Riser Rated): Ideal for vertical riser shafts in buildings and backbone installations.OFNG (General Purpose): Suitable for general-purpose areas where less fire resistance is needed.OFCP and OFCR: These are conductive versions of plenum and riser cables used for specific installations requiring both flame resistance and electrical conductivity.By Installation AreaYour installation area largely dictates the cable fire rating needed. Here’s a simple compatibility chart to guide your selection:Installation AreaPlenum-rated CableRiser-rated CableGeneral-purpose CablePlenum Area √××Riser Area √√×General-purpose Area√√√Plenum-rated cables: These are the most fire-resistant and can be installed in plenum areas (e.g., air ducts, ceilings). They can also be used in riser areas and general-purpose areas.Riser-rated cables: Suitable for riser areas, such as vertical shafts in buildings. They can also be used in general-purpose areas, but not in plenum areas.General-purpose cables: These have the lowest fire rating and can only be used in areas where minimal fire protection is needed. They cannot be installed in plenum or riser areas.By Installation Environment TypesThe installation environment plays a significant role in determining the fiber optic cable jacket material and fire rating required. Factors like whether the environment is indoor or outdoor and the presence of specific hazards like moisture or UV exposure must be considered for optimal performance.Outdoor environments: These areas require cables that can withstand moisture, abrasion, UV exposure, and other external elements. For such conditions, PE (Polyethylene) materials are preferredIndoor environments: Typically require materials that adhere to fire safety standards. Depending on the required fire rating, PVC, LSZH, and PVDF are popular choices. PVC is widely used for general applications, while LSZH and PVDF are better for environments where low smoke and halogen-free properties are necessary.FAQQ1: Does jacket color affect performance? A1: No, jacket color is for identification only. It does not impact optical or fire performance.Q2: How do the fire ratings of fiber optic cables affect their color code and identification?A2: According to EIA/TIA-598, the fiber optic cable color code defines the jacket color codes for different fiber types (SMF or MMF). For single mode fiber, the jacket color is typically yellow. While for multimode cable, the jacket color can be orange (OM1/OM2 cable), aqua (OM3/OM4 cable), and lime green (OM5 cable). For outside plant cables, the standard jacket color is black. If you want to learn more about fiber color codes, you can check out our complete guide here: Fiber Color Code: Complete Guide to Mastering IdentificationQ3: OFNP vs. OFNR: what are the differences?A3: OFNP and OFNR are both fire-rated fiber optic cables, but they differ in their fire-resistance and intended use: OFNP has the highest fire-resistance and low smoke production, making it suitable for plenum areas. It can also be used in riser areas; OFNR offers lower fire-resistance and is only suitable for riser areas. It cannot be used in plenum areas. In short, OFNP is more fire-resistant than OFNR and can be used in both plenum and riser areas, while OFNR is limited to riser areas.Categories: CablingTags: #Fiber Patch Cords #WikiRelated BlogsFiber Optic Cable Types: How to Choose the Right One for Your Network Indoor and Outdoor Fiber Optic Cable Installation: Key Considerations and Best Practices OFNR vs. OFCR: Which Fiber Optic Cable Should You Choose?About Us

Fiber Optic Cable Jackets and Fire Ratings Explained

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