20
Jun
Why One Should Use LSF/LSZH Cables?
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In the event of fire in a building, there is a danger of electric cables burning behind the wall for a long period of time. It then spreads from room to room emitting toxic gases and smoke. In such a scenario, getting out of the building becomes difficult. First of all, while the PVC cable are getting burned, it fill the rooms with thick black smoke which makes it almost impossible to find way for exit. In addition to smoke, poisonous halogen gases are also generated from burning PVC cables. This causes the occupants to lose consciousness and die even before the fire touches the body.
In such a situation, LSF/LSZH cables are desirable because it reduces the amount of smoke and poisonous gases generated, which significantly improves the chance of safe escape for the inhabitants. Also, it makes firefighting operations easier as the fire fighters can easily identify and reach the source of fire.
LSF/LSZH cables are popular in places where people live close to cable assemblies and cannot get sufficient ventilation during the fire. These cables find vast application in skyscraper, malls, large commercial spaces, military, railroad, maritime and aerospace. They can also be utilized in the railway & road systems where wires run in underground tunnels.
Since the time fire got discovered, man has been making attempts to protect themselves from its harmful effects. We have always searched for preventive measures to make sure the damage is minimized. Hence, LSF/LSZH cables were designed keeping in mind the safety of the public, which has become a major concern these days.
Today, an average time to reach fatal condition is over 3 minutes, but before it was more than 15 minutes. This change has come over because of the increasing use of plastics at home. None the less it is safe to say that smoke and effluent gases are relevant to saving human lives.
LSZH installation can be used in the below applications but are not limited to the below mentions:
Power cables
Instrumentation cables
Control cables
Building wires
What is the difference between LSF and LSZH cables?
Low Smoke Fume is another term used by some manufacturers for LSZH cables. A manufacturer can give the term as LSF as long as it emits negligible amount of toxic gases & less amount of smoke.
Why LSF/LSZH cables different from normal PVC cable?
LSF/LSZH cables are made of special material with flame retardant property which does not contain halogen. The low smoke zero halogen property makes cable environment protective.
Is there a difference between Flame Retardant Low Smoke (FRLS) and Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSF/LSZH) cables?
Both are different cables. Low smoke emits clearer and thinner smoke when burning. This helps people to exit the building faster and safely. FRLS cables shall emit a certain amount of toxic gases(< 17% by weight), whereas Zero halogen cables do not emit any toxic gases as it does not contain halogens like fluorine, bromine and chlorine.
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