Employees working for a company were harmed by toxic fumes during a fire. To prevent this from reoccurring, which of the following cable types is SAFEST to use?

CAT6 cables typically use standard PVC jackets that release toxic fumes when burned, making them unsuitable where fire safety around air handling is a concern.

Plenum cables are constructed with jacket materials such as FEP (fluorinated ethylene polymer) or low-smoke PVC that meet fire codes for use in plenum spaces - the air-circulation areas above drop ceilings and below raised floors. These materials resist combustion and, when they do burn, release significantly less toxic smoke than standard PVC jackets. This directly addresses the scenario of employees being harmed by toxic fumes during a fire.

While fiber cables carry no electrical current and have less combustible copper, their plastic jackets and buffer coatings still release toxic fumes when burned and are not rated specifically for plenum use by default.

Coaxial cables use standard PVC or foam dielectric insulation that emits toxic gases when burned and is not a plenum-rated cable type.