What type of alarm cable is specifically required for riser applications?

In riser applications, the appropriate type of alarm cable is riser rated. Riser rated cables are designed to minimize the spread of flames within vertical spaces, known as risers, that run between floors in a building. This is crucial for maintaining safety and ensuring compliance with building codes that govern fire safety. Riser rated cables are constructed with a special fire-resistant jacket that restricts the flames and smoke from traveling up the cable during a fire, helping to protect other areas of the building.

While low-voltage cables, data cables, and general-purpose cables may have specific uses in various applications, they are not specifically designed for the vertical pathways where riser applications take place. Using riser rated cables in such situations is not only a best practice for fire safety but is also often a regulatory requirement, making this choice the most suitable and responsible option for installations that involve spanning multiple floors.