Low Smoke Halogen Free cables


Halogens (chlorine, fluorine, bromine, etc.) are substances commonly used in all PVC cables, in fluorhurate resin cables (FEP, PFA, MFA, ETFE, etc.), and in additives and brominated flame retardants used in many cables. In case of fire, such compounds act as radical collection centres, thus preventing combustion from spreading; in doing so, they capture hydrogen, thus producing halogenhydric acid. The main consequences related to the use of halogenated compounds are:


  • Metal corrosion
  • The toxicity of fumes must be held into account both in case of fire and for the disposal of the product at the end of its life, when it is incinerated.

Metal corrosivity
The presence of humidity and oxygen make halogenated additives a potential source of highly corrosive processes, which can attack and damage pipes and any other metal objects in general. The use of halogen-free materials, then, is recommended and preferable, since it allows to prevent the risks of corrosion described above.

Fume toxicity in case of fire.
In case of fire one of the major risks for people is represented by the toxicity of the fumes released mainly in indoor spaces with limited escape and emergency evacuation ways. This issue takes a paramount importance and more so in the light of the degree of flame resistance in the majority of buildings, more specifically public-use facilities. The use of non-halogenated cables that do not release, o release a much lower amount of, corrosive or toxic gases, becomes mandatory in such cases.

Fume toxicity at the end of product life.
At the end of its life, any electric or electronic device with an inbuilt power cable must obviously be disposed of and the common destiny of non-recyclable or non-recoverable waste is incineration. The environmental impact of halegenhydric acids developed by halogenated material is very high: the high danger of such combustion fumes is well known, in that they are toxic and irritant for the airways.

Our range of halogen-free materials
Our group manufactures cables made with a broad range of halogen-free materials:

  • Type TI7, TM6, M1, HF 105°C thermoplastic materials;
  • EI4, EI5, EI6, EI7, EM3 cross-linked rubber;
  • Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), and cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE);
  • Polyurethane (TPU);
  • Special cross-linked rubber for high-temperature applications (our TECHPRENE)

All the above materials comply with the safety requirements provided by the relevant international regulations for the purposes of guaranteeing the non-toxicity of fumes in case of fire, also providing for fast evacuation and ease of emergency team operations, more specifically:

  • pH: in compliance with BS EN 50267-2-2;
  • Conductivity: in compliance with BS EN 50267-2-2;
  • Maximum content of HCl, HBr, HF halogen acid gases: in compliance with EN 50267-2-1 and EN 60684-2;
  • Optical density of fumes: in compliance with EN 61034-2:2005
  • Oxygen index: in compliance with the ISO 4589 standard

Where to use LSOH cables
There are no specific regulatory provisions on the use of LSOH cables and toxic or corrosive gas emissions in case of fire; usually, designers themselves are left with a broad range of autonomy, even though their use is recommended in most installation environments and settings:

  • Residential. LSOH cables are recommended when in need of protecting items of particular artistic or historic interest or when evacuation problems in case of fire may be expected in common exit ways, especially when the smooth and orderly flow of people is not easily implemented.
  • Services. In all venues destined to the public, such as hotels, hospitals, schools, cinema theatres, discotheques, banks and shopping centres.
  • Infrastructure. In very crowded locations such as underground stations and trains, airports, stations, road galleries, as well as sport halls, etc.
  • Industry. When in need of preserving sensitive and costly appliances or in case of specific production processes.