LSHF cables are made up of halogen free compounds that are good fire retardants but emit less than 0.5% hydrogen chloride gas and smoke when burnt. In case of fire these cables produce small amounts of light grey smoke and HCL gas which greatly increases the chances of escape from populated areas. There&#;s no PVC in these cables, hence no harmful fumes or dense black smoke are given off in case of fire.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website SUNUA.
LSF cables are flexible and low cost alternative to PVC cables but can still produce a dangerous amount of toxic gas and smoke. Whereas LSHF cables are less flexible and a higher cost but with a significant reduction in toxic gas and smoke. So in a high risk populated area where escape is limited LSHF cables are strongly recommended. But in low risk areas where the evacuation is easy and high flexibility is required, PVC could still be a good choice.
Though all of the above perform very differently with regards to
the amount of toxic fumes and smoke they produce however they all could, and in
many cases do, pass the CPR test to class Eca.
So where does CPR come in I hear you ask!
Most cables designed for permanent installation within domestic, residential and commercial buildings are now subject to the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), covered by BS EN which became a legal requirement in July . The standard is primarily about the spread of fire and heat release, not the toxicity of gases or smoke given off.
The regulation classifies products into one of seven classes, but in most instances, only five classes will apply to cables. Lower classes Fca and Eca undertake a basic vertical flame test to BS EN -1-2. If there is a high level of flammability, it would be classified to Class Fca (testing to Fca can be conducted &#;in-house&#;). However, for the cable to meet the requirements of Class Eca, the test has to be conducted by an authorised test house, known as a Notified Body (NB) or Approval Body (AB).
In the test, a single cable of approx. 60 cm is mounted vertically using two clamps, a flame is applied to the bottom end for 60 seconds (or 120 seconds in the case of cable diameters greater than 25 mm). The test is deemed passed if, after the flame has been removed, the burning cable extinguishes itself and the fire damage is less than 425mm. It is irrelevant how long the cable burns before extinguishing itself.
Great! I hear you say! &#;All I have to do is ensure that the cable I install is at least CPR class Eca compliant and I don&#;t have to worry about what material it&#;s made from!&#;
The 18th edition of BS recognises that where applicable, cables need to meet CPR requirements and carry a Euroclass for fire performance. BS does not specify or recommend which Euroclass to use in an environment or application, and notably, nor does it outlaw using cables that emit toxic fumes and smoke in the event of fire. Specifiers and installers must therefore ensure the cables they select are appropriate for the fire risks in the building or application and any contractual terms.
Part B of The Building Regulations does offer additional guidance.
&#;The primary danger associated with fire in its early stages is not flame but the smoke and noxious gases produced by the fire. They cause most of the casualties and may also obscure the way to escape routes and exits. Measures designed to provide safe means of escape must therefore provide appropriate arrangements to limit the rapid spread of smoke and fumes.&#;
&#;Okay, so I simply specify the highest CPR class I can find, just to be safe!&#;
Unfortunately specifying to what many might consider to be a &#;safe&#; level might prove cost prohibitive for the contractor, who may also discover cables to higher classifications scarce or impossible to come by. Test procedures to gain even Cca compliance are costly for manufacturers and can involve lengthy R&D to meet the standard &#; there are many cable types where it&#;s simply not cost effective to test to that level.
Another complicating factor is that cables redesigned to pass higher CPR classes may shift in electrical or data performance and physical properties - factors that may effective how they perform or their method of installation.
Lower CPR classes focus on spread of fire, not toxic fume and
smoke emissions. Specifiers considering the emissions of cables when burnt need
to choose Low Smoke Halogen Free (LSHF) but beware, as we&#;ve already learned, there
are plenty of ways terminology and acronyms can trip you up.
Solid and comprehensive defenses against potential catastrophes, such as natural disasters, flooding, water leaks, or fire, are necessary for residential and commercial buildings. Building structures are designed with specific equipment and materials to prevent excessive damage and ensure people's safety.
Are you interested in learning more about lszh compound? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
One possible occurrence is a fire. Suppose a fire breaks out in a structure. In that case, many precautions are taken to safeguard people, including using LSF or LSZH cables. In this article, we shall discuss the functions of both wires, along with some differences.
LSF, short for Low Smoke and Fume, refers to a type of cable designed with materials that emit minimal smoke and fumes when exposed to fire. These cables typically contain a reduced amount of halogen elements, which are known for their potential toxicity when burned. Commonly used in various applications, LSF cables offer a balance between fire resistance and environmental considerations.
LSZH, short for Low Smoke Zero Halogen, denotes a type of cable engineered with materials that produce limited smoke and do not emit halogen compounds when exposed to fire. LSZH Ethernet cables are designed to minimize the release of toxic gases and halogenated compounds, reducing health and environmental hazards during combustion.
If you'd like to know what halogen is and get more detailed info about LSZH cables, please refer to LSZH Bulk Cables: What Are They and the Application Advantages.
Although LSF cables and LSZH cables share similarities in some aspects, their subtle differences can have significant implications. While their characteristics may not diverge drastically, one type of cable's advantages are unmistakable. Here's a comparison that covers their security level, environmental impact, and cost:
LSF Cables LSZH Cables Safety Higher risk due to more toxic gases and denser smoke when burned Safer with less poisonous gases and smoke emitted in a fire Environmental Impact Higher ecological impact due to more pollutants released when burned Lower impact with reduced emissions of halogenated compounds Cost Lower-cost option when compared to LSZH cables More expensive due to higher safety performanceUnderstanding these differences is crucial for selecting the most suitable cable type based on safety, regulatory, and environmental considerations.
Having understood the distinctions between LSF and LSZH cables, it's essential to consider their practical applications across various industries and environments. LSF and LSZH cables cater to distinct application scenarios based on their unique properties and characteristics.
LSF cables are commonly employed in environments where reducing smoke and fume emissions is critical, including:
Residential buildings
Small offices
Environments with lower safety requirements
LSZH network cables, being halogen-free, are preferred in settings where stringent safety regulations or heightened environmental concerns prevail, including:
Commercial edifices
Data centers
Public areas (e.g., malls, airports, train stations)
Aerospace industry
Underground transportation systems
In environments where reducing smoke and fume emissions is critical, LSF cables are often the choice. However, for settings with stringent safety regulations or heightened environmental concerns, FS's LSZH cables are the preferred option. For instance, in commercial edifices, data centers, and public areas, using FS's LSZH cables ensures a safer environment with fewer toxic gas emissions, even in a fire.
Choosing LSF and LSZH cables impacts building safety and environmental concerns. LSF cables are suitable for environments with lower safety requirements, while LSZH cables are preferred in settings where high safety standards and environmental considerations are crucial. This understanding aids in optimal selection for safety and regulatory compliance in building infrastructure.
For more cable compoundinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.