What type of cable is typically used in vertical spaces with less stringent fire regulations?

In environments where vertical spaces have less stringent fire regulations, non-plenum rated cables are commonly used. These cables are designed for areas that do not require the same fire resistance as plenum-rated cables. Specifically, non-plenum rated cables are appropriate for installations in walls, ceilings, or floors that are not used for air circulation. Because they do not have the fire-resistant jacket that plenum-rated cables possess, they are generally less expensive and easier to work with in less critical applications where fire safety standards are not as strict.

Plenum-rated cables must meet specific fire safety standards because they are installed in spaces that can facilitate airflow for heating and cooling systems, posing a higher risk during a fire. Direct bury cables are intended for direct underground installation and have different construction for moisture resistance. Fiber optic cables, while sometimes used in similar applications, are not exclusively categorized by their fire safety ratings but by their ability to transmit data using light.