SPECFire alarm cable spec sheet
| Voltage rating | 300 V |
|---|---|
| Conductor | Solid copper, 2 to 4 conductors, shielded or unshielded |
| Construction | Red PVC jacket (riser) or plenum-rated jacket |
| Standards | UL 1424; NEC Article 760 |
| Example print | FPLR 18/2 SOLID SHIELDED 300V (UL) RISER |
Sizes we buy in Fire alarm cable
01Identify FPLR and FPLP Fire Alarm Cable
Fire alarm cable carries circuits associated with fire alarm systems. The cable covered here has solid copper conductors, a 300 V rating and either a red PVC riser jacket or a plenum-rated jacket. UL 1424 and NEC Article 760 are the relevant product and installation references. Jacket color alone does not establish the cable's rating.
A typical print reads: FPLR 18/2 SOLID SHIELDED 300V (UL) RISER. FPLR identifies power-limited fire alarm cable with a riser rating. The 18/2 marking identifies 18 AWG conductors and a two-conductor construction; SOLID describes the conductor construction, and SHIELDED identifies shielding. The remaining markings show voltage and listing information.
FPLP identifies the plenum-rated category. Photograph the complete printed legend rather than just the red jacket. Our guide to reading reel tags and jacket print explains what identification details to capture. Have a licensed electrician or engineer determine suitability for a specific installation.
02Sizes, Conductor Counts and Packaging We Buy
We review fire alarm cable in 18 AWG, 16 AWG, 14 AWG and 12 AWG. The constructions covered here use solid copper with 2 to 4 conductors, shielded or unshielded. Keep different gauges, conductor counts and ratings separated when preparing your inventory.
Common put-ups include 500 and 1,000 ft boxes or reels. Houston Wire Buyers also reviews partial reels, coils and reusable cut lengths. A box's original footage does not establish how much remains after material has been pulled, so distinguish original package length from your remaining-footage estimate.
For mixed leftovers, list each package separately with its gauge, conductor count, rating and available length. Include photos showing both identification and packaging. Do not combine FPLR and FPLP under a general description such as “red wire.” Those markings help us evaluate the actual cable rather than guess from its appearance.
03Sell Fire Alarm Cable as Reusable Surplus
Reusable fire alarm cable is usually worth more than its scrap or melt value. Its value comes from an identifiable cable product with useful remaining footage—not just the copper inside. Readable markings, sound insulation and manageable packaging help establish whether another buyer can use the material.
Our pricing considers the copper market, cable type and current demand, gauge, footage, packaging condition, manufacturer, date code, quantity and pickup logistics. Shielding and conductor count identify the construction, but neither automatically guarantees a higher offer. We review the complete lot before assigning value.
When comparing FPLR cable buyers, explain whether your material is unused stock or leftovers from a completed job. Show what remains rather than relying only on the original label. Very short, burned or heavily damaged cable may be better suited to scrap. We focus on reusable material and will tell you what we consider reusable.
04Check Cable Condition Before Sending Photos
A useful condition review shows the cable itself and how it has been stored. Sealed ends, intact jackets and sound packaging support evaluation, but no single feature establishes acceptance. Show exposed ends and any questionable areas clearly rather than hiding them under a wrap or inside a box.
Before requesting an offer, check:
- Whether ends are sealed or exposed to moisture and dirt.
- Jacket cuts, crushing, burns or other visible damage.
- Reel flanges, box condition and loose or tangled winding.
- Manufacturer identification and any readable date code.
- Remaining footage and whether it is measured or estimated.
A date code is part of our review, not an automatic rejection rule. Likewise, an opened box is not automatically scrap. Clear photographs help us distinguish usable leftovers from damaged material, but we still verify condition on site. Do not describe used or weather-exposed cable as new.
05Who Has Surplus Fire Alarm Wire in Greater Houston?
Leftovers from commercial build-outs are a common source of surplus fire alarm cable. Electrical contractors, fire alarm installers, facility teams and material managers may have unopened boxes, partial reels or usable lengths remaining after a project. Separate cable inventory from installed system components when preparing a sale.
If you need to sell fire alarm wire in Houston, include the jobsite or warehouse location with your inventory. We serve Greater Houston only: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Waller counties. Pickup is scheduled at the seller's site, with logistics considered in the offer.
Our address is 6402 McGrew St, Houston, TX 77087, in southeast Houston's Mayfair area near I-45 and I-610. Drop-off is by appointment only, so call before bringing material. For contractors clearing several projects, keeping each cable type and package identifiable gives us a clearer basis for reviewing the lot.
06Get a Written Offer for Your Fire Alarm Cable
Start by texting 951-403-5738 or emailing industrial832@gmail.com. Send photos of the reel tags or jacket print, footage or weight, and the material's location. For fire alarm cable, include the FPLR or FPLP marking, gauge, conductor count and whether it is shielded. Photograph the full lot as well as representative labels.
Explain whether packages are unopened, partially used or loose coils, and disclose known damage. If remaining footage is an estimate, say so. These details let us review the cable without treating the original box quantity as the current inventory.
We review your information and provide a written offer. After that, we schedule pickup at your site or an appointment-only drop-off at McGrew St. We verify the material on site, and payment follows the written offer. Keep the quoted lot together and tell us about inventory changes before the scheduled visit.
07Fire Alarm Cable Compared With Other Wire Types
Fire alarm cable is not interchangeable with every cable used in a commercial building. FPLR and FPLP identify fire alarm cable categories with different flame-performance applications. A red jacket, copper conductors or a similar gauge does not make another product equivalent. Keep each type separate when sending a surplus inventory.
Cat6 data cable is a different cable category used for data applications. Identify it by its own jacket markings rather than grouping it with fire alarm cable because both came from a low-voltage project. We review each product according to its construction and condition.
THHN/THWN-2 building wire is another distinct product, commonly supplied as individual insulated conductors rather than the fire alarm cable constructions described here. Listing and installation requirements matter. For substitutions, routing or system design, consult a licensed electrician or engineer; a surplus purchase evaluation is not installation approval.
FAQQuestions sellers ask
Should I remove the jacket or shielding before selling?
No. If you want us to evaluate cable as reusable surplus, leave its construction intact. Stripping away the jacket or shielding removes product identification and changes what you are offering. Send photos first so we can assess the complete cable rather than only its recoverable copper.
Can I offer a lot containing several manufacturers?
Yes, send the details for each manufacturer's material separately. Include readable labels and date codes where available, and identify which footage belongs to which package. Manufacturer is one of our pricing factors, so a single combined footage figure may not adequately describe a mixed lot.
What if I cannot find an FPLR or FPLP marking?
Send clear photos of every readable marking and any original packaging. We cannot establish a fire alarm cable rating from jacket color alone. Avoid assigning a rating based on appearance; tell us what is known and what is missing so we can review the material accurately.
Can I get an offer using weight instead of footage?
You can submit weight as part of your initial information. For reusable fire alarm cable, remaining footage also helps describe the usable inventory, so include it when known. State whether figures are measured, estimated or copied from original packaging. The material is verified on site before payment.
Is Houston Wire Buyers affiliated with a cable manufacturer?
No. Houston Wire Buyers is not affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company or any manufacturer. We buy surplus wire and cable for review as reusable material. Our purchase evaluation does not provide manufacturer approval, certify a cable's condition or authorize its use in a fire alarm installation.