Plenum Cable
Definition
Plenum cable is designated by the NEC fire rating CMP (Communications Multipurpose Plenum) and is required by code whenever cable is routed through HVAC air-handling spaces in commercial buildings. The cable jacket is manufactured from materials such as FEP or low-smoke PVC, which resist combustion and produce significantly less toxic smoke than standard PVC cable when exposed to fire. In commercial construction, the vast majority of horizontal cabling runs through the plenum space above drop ceilings — making CMP-rated cable the default requirement in most building types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Plenum Cable Matters
How Commercial Cabling Company Uses It
Commercial Cabling Company specifies and installs plenum-rated (CMP) cable as the default for all commercial horizontal cabling runs throughout Arizona and Nevada. The company verifies plenum versus non-plenum zones during the initial site survey and documents the cable type used in all as-built records.