Abstract: A cable comprising a core enclosed in an external sheath of a char-forming low-smoke-and-fume composition is characterized by a tape of flexible mineral material, preferably a woven glass-fiber tape, wrapped round the core and by an adhesive bonding the tape to the sheath. Hot-melt adhesives based on ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers with tackifier resins are suitable. By bonding the sheath to the underlying tape, retention of the charred remains of the sheath under fire conditions is considerably improved with consequent improvements in flame retardance, smoke levels and fire survival.