Sep. 01, 2025
The priority of any construction trade should be the safety of the people who will occupy the space they are preparing. As a result, builders increasingly choose flame retardant and safer-burning materials for enclosed settings where people gather. This has created an increasing demand for the development of low-smoke zero-halogen cables (LSZH).
As a safe building cable option, LSZH cable allows your building, automation, and networking projects to feel safe – inside and out. LSZH cable can be beneficial anywhere there is an increased need to avoid a fire hazard.
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As a top industry supplier for numerous wire and cable types, Remee Wire & Cable is pleased to provide you with various modified standard and custom-made LSZH cables for your next construction project. Within this blog, we’ll briefly explain LSZH cables and how their operating characteristics and safety benefits can be used in your next project!
Builders initially limited the use of LSZH cable to environments where groups of people gathered indoors. But over the years, officials have updated building codes to include LSZH cable in many new construction projects.
A few decades ago, safety professionals began analyzing how chemical compounds in wire and cable reacted to combustion. Unfortunately, several fires in the UK during the s produced high death tolls due to the caustic chemicals and dense smoke emitted by PVC (polyvinyl chloride) jacketing in the wiring. These tragedies brought more awareness, increased research, and product development around LSZH wire capabilities from the cable industry.
The adoption of LSZH has occurred at a slower rate in the U.S. than in Europe. Since LSZH cable costs more than PVC and other commonly used jacketing materials, builders have been known to limit its use in the U.S. to venues where they deem its use would be practical and necessary. But with safety becoming more important, as well as using environmentally friendly cable alternatives, LSZH cable is continuing to rise in usage.
As you now know, LSZH is an acronym for low-smoke zero-halogen. But what exactly makes LSZH cable such a good choice for safety measures?
LSZH cable is made with a special thermoplastic jacket. The use of thermoplastic or thermosetting compounds in the jacket is what makes this type of compound exceptionally flame resistant.
The thermoplastic jacket undergoes an endothermic chemical reaction when there is a fire. By absorbing the heat energy and releasing steam when the compound reaches a certain temperature, it allows the cables to be protected.
The steam dissolves into the toxic and flammable gasses that are formed by the fire and form a char layer to protect the cable. It reduces the total amount of material that could potentially allow for combustion and prevents harmful particles from being released into the air.
This allows LSZH cable to emit far less smoke than other materials. As a result, the smoke is thin and not harmful to humans, as opposed to burning PVC, which, when exposed to moisture, produces a corrosive chemical compound. It’s a highly lethal combination that can destroy lungs and other soft respiratory tissue when inhaled.
The development of jacket materials that do not produce harmful chemicals and smoke will continue to gain significance While the performance, reliability, and flexibility of traditional jacketing materials make them indispensable in many cases, the cable industry realizes that safety concerns will always eventually override price differences.
The benefits of using LSZH cable include
LSZH enjoys the advantage of being flame retardant and emitting less toxic gas and smoke when burned. Fire will not usually disable the functioning of flame-retardant cables, so LSZH is suitable for use in fire alarm cables. Whenever a project requires keeping the power on, even in a fire, their use makes perfect sense.
While it is good to know the benefits, the technical specifications of LSZH cables are just as important to determine the usability of LSZH cable in your project. Builders and contractors must consider whether an LSZH solution meets their project specifications like gauge size, voltage, operating temperature, and approved materials.
To help determine if LSZH should be used, use these technical features of LSZH cables:
Increasingly, builders are finding codes that require LSZH cable. Once specified, the choices of what type of LSZH cabling fits a particular job come into play. It is clear to see the numerous benefits (technical or other) of LSZH cable.
Yet, no industry standard is in place that dictates when the extra cost of LSZH cable is warranted. Developers sometimes have difficulty determining when LSZH wire is justified or if the project is better suited for traditional wiring.
At Remee, our team of cable experts understands the nuances involved when deciding whether or not selecting LSZH makes sense for your project. We’re here to assist you in making those decisions when it’s not clear if you need to use LSZH wire or another cable option that we supply.
Sometimes it’s obvious when to use LSZH cable for certain safety requirements. You can typically justify its use anywhere people gather in enclosed areas. Great examples include:
Additionally, cable manufacturers can combine different materials to create various attributes. So, in addition to LSZH, there are also fire resistant cables with characteristics such as:
At Remee, we understand some jobs require creative solutions. This is why part of our services include custom cabling options. Whether for LSZH cables, or other choices from our extensive cable toolbox, Remee can suit your custom cable needs. See our full list of materials and capabilities to understand just how dedicated we are to providing top customer service.
As the industry leader in wire and cable manufacturing, we understand that our customers come first. This is why Remee provides standard and custom cables to deliver specialized products that fit your particular needs, including LSZH cable jacketing solutions for a wide range of cables.
Being one of the top suppliers in the country, we offer multiple configurations, composite constructions, and a variety of shielding and jacket coloring/striping options for our cables. Whether you need a short order for one for volume, Remee is staffed with knowledgeable and trustworthy people to get your order delivered as fast as possible without losing quality.
Established in , Remee continues to maintain a high degree of excellence in its products and services. When you choose Remee, you choose a fellow partner with years of industry experience.
Contact us today to get your LSZH cable order started!
In the world of electrical wiring, safety is always a top priority—especially in environments where fire risks are a concern. Low-Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) cables have become a popular choice for both industrial and commercial installations due to their superior safety features. In this article, we’ll explore what LSZH cables are, how they differ from other types of cables, and why they are essential for certain applications.
LSZH cables are a type of fire-resistant cable designed to minimize the production of smoke and toxic halogen gases when exposed to fire or extreme heat. Unlike conventional cables, which often use PVC (polyvinyl chloride) insulation, LSZH cables are made from a specially formulated insulation material that is free of halogens such as chlorine, fluorine, bromine, and iodine.
Key Features of LSZH Cables:
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The use of LSZH cables has become increasingly important, especially in areas where fire safety is a top priority. Let’s take a look at why these cables are so crucial:
1) Enhanced Safety in Case of Fire
One of the most significant advantages of LSZH cables is their ability to reduce the harmful effects of fire. Traditional cables, especially those with PVC insulation, can emit large amounts of toxic smoke and halogen gases when burning. These gases, such as hydrogen chloride, can cause serious health risks, including respiratory problems, and contribute to the spread of fire. In contrast, LSZH cables emit far less smoke and no harmful halogen gases, making them a much safer option in the event of a fire.
2) Vital for Enclosed Spaces
LSZH cables are particularly important in spaces where ventilation is limited, such as:
Subways
Tunnels
High-rise buildings
Data centers
In these areas, the production of thick, toxic smoke from burning cables can be deadly, making LSZH cables a preferred choice for installations where people may be trapped in confined spaces during a fire.
3) Compliance with Fire Safety Standards
In many regions, building codes and fire safety regulations now require the use of LSZH cables in specific environments, particularly in public buildings and transportation systems. These cables are often tested and certified to meet international standards for fire performance, including:
IEC : Fire tests for cables
BS : Power cables with low smoke emissions
UL 910: Test for flame propagation and smoke generation in cables
4) Environmentally Friendly
In addition to fire safety, LSZH cables are considered more environmentally friendly compared to traditional cables. When they burn, they do not release toxic halogen gases, which can contribute to air pollution and environmental degradation. The materials used in the production of LSZH cables are often recyclable, making them a more sustainable choice.
5) Protection for Critical Systems
In sectors such as telecommunications, data transmission, and emergency services, the integrity of electrical systems is critical. The reliability of LSZH cables ensures that power and communication lines remain operational even in fire-prone environments, thus maintaining the functioning of essential systems during emergencies.
Due to their superior safety features, LSZH cables are used in a wide range of applications where fire safety and low toxicity are critical considerations:
Public transport systems: Subway and railway stations
Commercial buildings: Shopping malls, hospitals, and office buildings
Industrial plants: Factories, petrochemical plants, and oil refineries
Data centers: Where high-performance cables need to be reliable and safe in the event of a fire
Offshore platforms: For electrical wiring on oil rigs and ships
✔ Fire Safety
LSZH cables reduce the risk of spreading fire and toxic gas emissions, protecting both people and property.
✔ Compliance
Using LSZH cables ensures that your installation meets stringent fire safety regulations, reducing the risk of legal issues and fines.
✔ Reduced Environmental Impact
These cables are more environmentally friendly due to their non-toxic emissions and recyclability.
✔ Improved Reliability
By preventing fire and smoke damage, LSZH cables help maintain the integrity of critical systems, ensuring continuous operation during emergencies.
In environments where safety is a top priority, Low-Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) cables offer unparalleled advantages over traditional cables. They provide fire safety, non-toxic emissions, and environmental benefits, making them the preferred choice for modern installations.
At HONREY CABLE, we offer a wide range of LSZH cables that meet international fire safety standards and are designed for use in various critical applications. Whether you need cables for commercial buildings, data centers, or transport systems, HONREY CABLE provides safe, durable, and reliable solutions.
The company is the world’s best pv cable compounds supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
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