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The primary danger associated with a fire outbreak in a building is not the flame itself but the emission of thick black smoke and noxious gases that cause major casualties. This is where Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) cables (also known as Low Smoke Halogen Free (LSHF) cables) with flame retardant properties are purposely meant for places where fire safety is a priority. Being halogen free they emit very low levels of smoke or toxic fumes, greatly increasing the chances of escape from populated areas in the event of a fire.

Here are several reasons why LSZH cables are popular:

– LSZH cables are considered a safer choice due to their lack of halogen content over the common option of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) cables that contain halogens. During a fire, halogen produces dense smoke and harmful fumes, greatly reducing visibility within 30 minutes and obscuring escape routes.
– When it comes to protecting life and property during an emergency, there is an increasing pressure to go in favor of LSZH cabling in places where smoke emission and toxic fumes could pose a risk to human health and essential equipment.
– They emit <0.5 % of the toxic hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas providing a safer environment and the low smoke generation ensures exit signage and evacuation routes remain visible.

Applications:

– Ideal for enclosed public areas such as universities, hotels, malls, hospitals, airports, subway and railway stations where mass evacuations are critical in the event of a fire.
– Suited for indoor spaces in high rise buildings such as computer rooms, data centers, where safety of equipment is critical.
– Perfect for hazardous environments and poorly ventilated areas such as tunnels, underground locomotive networks, inside of cars, aircraft, ships and railway carriages.

LSZH vs LSF Cables

– Whilst there is a common misconception that low smoke and fume (LSF) cables and LSZH cables are the same, this is not the case, and we clarify the confusion.
– LSF cables are manufactured using PVC compounds. If they are labelled as low smoke and fume cables it is because the manufacturer modified the compound with various additives in order to reduce (not eliminate) smoke and HCl emissions.
– BS EN 60754 stipulates HCl emissions by LSZH cables must not exceed 0.5%. However, there are no standards governing LSF cables. As a result, when burning they emit HCl levels in excess of 20% which is a life-threatening situation.

Electric Way- a leading supplier of a range of quality cables

Electrical way, top cable suppliers in UAE, provide a comprehensive range of Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) cables tested to quality international standards to assure a safe electrical installation. Our technical team understands the implications involved when selecting an LSZH cable for use in various industries such as oil, gas, marine and offshore units. Speak to our team of cabling experts on +971 4 8170777 for your project’s cabling or wiring requirements.