Fireproof cable tray specifications and weight

Fireproof cable trays typically weigh between 7 kg/m and 75 kg/m depending on material, type, and dimensions.

Typical Materials and Fireproofing Options

Fireproof cable trays are commonly made from galvanized steel, stainless steel, or flame-retardant coated steel, and sometimes flame-retardant plastic composites. The choice of material affects both fire resistance and weight. Stainless steel and galvanized steel provide high mechanical strength and fire resistance, while flame-retardant composites are lighter but still meet fire safety standards.

Weight Ranges by Tray TypeSteel ladder trays: Typical weights range from 7 kg/m for small aluminum trays to 75 kg/m for large steel ladder trays. Solid or perforated steel trays: Weight depends on tray width, side height, thickness, and open area percentage. For example, a 300 mm wide, 50 mm high, 2 mm thick galvanized steel tray may weigh around 10–15 kg/m.

Aluminum fireproof trays: Lighter, generally 3–10 kg/m depending on size and thickness. Flame-retardant plastic composite trays: Typically lighter than steel, often 5–12 kg/m, but must be verified against manufacturer specifications.

Factors Affecting Weight

Tray width and height: Wider and taller trays require more material, increasing weight. Material density: Steel (~7,850–8,000 kg/m³), aluminum (~2,700 kg/m³), composites vary. Tray type: Ladder, ventilated, or solid-bottom trays have different metal volumes per meter.

Ladder trays are lighter due to open rungs, while solid trays are heavier. Covers and fittings: Adding solid covers or junctions increases the installed weight per meter. Safety factor: Engineers often include a 10–25% safety factor for installation load calculations.

Practical Considerations

When planning fireproof cable tray installations, separate the tray self-weight from cable fill weight to ensure accurate support design. Verify the weight per meter with manufacturer catalogs, as actual values can vary based on material grade, tray dimensions, and fireproof coatings. In summary, fireproof cable tray weight per meter varies widely depending on material, size, and type, with steel trays being the heaviest and aluminum or composite trays being lighter, typically ranging from 7 kg/m to 75 kg/m.