Plenum rated cable is typically required in drop down ceilings that are used as the return air for the HVAC (and not run in conduit). Something about slower to spread flames.
Cable should be labeled something like: Plenum (CMP)
as opposed to "regular" PVC cable which is Riser (CMR)
"Look for CMP(means Communications Plenum Cable) ,CL3P(Shielded Multi-Conductor Plenum Security Cable) , or CL2P(Class 2 plenum cable ) marked on the cable." - https://superuser.com/questions/492847/how-do-i-tell-if-exposed-ethernet-cable-is-plenum-grade
Vancouver has it's own rules, stricter than BC building code.
"In return air plenums of non combustible buildings all data and telco (voice) cables must be FT-6 per the 2012 BC Building Code. Vancouver requires all cables [I.e. not only voice and data] to be FT-6.
In plenums of combustible buildings the Data and Voice must be FT-4 even though the loomex only must be FT-1" - http://www.electriciantalk.com/f31/low-voltage-building-codes-vancouver-bc-59545/
FT-6 is Canadian standard, comparable (not sure if it's literally) the same as CMP. Similarly, FT-4 and CMR.
So... to the source, Vancouver Building Bylaw:
Div. B, 3.1.5.18.(2) Wires and Cables 2) Except as permitted in Sentences (3) and (4), optical fibre cables and electrical wires and cables with combustible insulation, jackets or sheathes that are used for the transmission of voice, sound or data and are not located in totally enclosed noncombustible raceways are permitted to be installed in a plenum in a building required to be of noncombustible construction, provided the wires and cables exhibit a horizontal flame distance of not more than 1.5 m, an average optical smoke density of not more than 0.15, and a peak optical smoke density of not more than 0.5 when tested in conformance with CAN/ULC-S102.4, “Standard Method of Test for Fire and Smoke Characteristics of Electrical Wiring, Cables and Non-Metallic Raceways,” (FT6 rating).
http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/vancouver-building-bylaw-book-1-2017.pdf
What is a building required to be of noncombustible construction? I think this is brick, concrete, i.e. not residential wood frame.
CMP meets the criteria for FT6. (I don't see much cable advertised as FT6, CMP is easier to find)
Cable Substitution Hierarchy as per C22.2 #214 — Communication Cables
The following cable substitution may be used:
A. Communication cables marked MPP, CMP, MPR, CMR, MPG, CMG, MP, CM, CMX, CMH, FT6, and FT4 have been found to meet the standard criteria for FT1.
B. Communication cables marked MPP, CMP, MPR, CMR, MPG, CMG, and FT6 have been found to meet the standard criteria for FT4.
C. Communication cables marked MPP and CMP have been found to meet the standard criteria for FT6.
http://www.pacificcabling.com/Information/Information_other/flame_test_ratings.htm
Latency estimator for long distance pings: https://wintelguy.com/wanlat.html - I think it just uses speed of light over fibre + some slower local routing estimates.
Disproportionately (I think) in Canada, phone wiring is BIX (now part of IBDN), not 110 or 66 block. It was initially developed by Northern Telecom (Nortel)
Tags: wire, cable, cat5, code