LSZH Cable (Low Smoke Zero Halogen, LS0H, LSZH, LSHF)
Were safety in public areas and buildings is critical, cables manufactured for operation within these environments must be non-hazardous to members of the public in case of a fire risk.
Traditional materials such as PVC which is commonly used within the cable industry poses a greater risk to lives than that of the fire alone in a fire situation. This is because of the toxic smoke and dangerous halogens which are emitted when the cable ignites,
What are halogens?
When grouped together, the elements fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine make up a chemical family known as the Halogens. When the material ignites, Carcinogenic substances like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Nitro Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and dioxins are all by-products produced when halogenated plastics burn. These gaseous compounds pose a double threat. They are dangerous in Vapour form, but they can also condense into caustic acids (such as hydrochloric acid) when they come into contact with water.
This is why the use of Low Smoke Zero Halogen materials (LS0H) has recently come to the forefront. LS0H materials within cables contain absolutely no halogens, but still have excellent flame resistance and produce very little smoke when burned.
This is why LS0H materials have become the safest choice for use within applications and areas where members of the public may be at risk.