Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSOH) Cable Accessories

By Chris Dodds on 21st November, 2013

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Low Smoke Zero Halogen

Cable Labels

 

Why Use Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cable Accessories?

Safe, risk free cables should not be compromised by sub-standard cable accessories which could emit life-threatening levels of toxic smoke and gases in the event of a fire. In fire situations, PVC based cables and cable accessories can be a vehicle for flame propagation whilst also generating smoke, corrosive and toxic fumes. Effectively fuelling the fire.

Typical LSOH cable applications include hospitals, museums, retail, offices, airports, rail stations, sports stadium, tunnels, shopping centres and commercial developments.

LSOH cables should be jointed, glanded, terminated, tied, cleated or labelled using LSOH cable accessories.

 

Prime Objectives of Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cable Accessories

• Resist Ignition - therefore extending the time before cable accessories start to burn in a fire. People have more warning time to plan for safe evacuation from fire situations.
• Reduce Propagation - by being slow to burn cable accessories reduce the smoke effects and extend escape time
• Reduce Smoke & Fume Emissions - reducing disorientation and panic in a fire situation. With limited smoke people can see exit routes clearly and have more time to follow them to safety. Likewise, the support from emergency service is enabled.
• No Halogens - thus hydrochloric acid is not formed in a fire and there is no threat of inhalation of this highly irritant chemical by escapes and no acid gas damage to sensitive and costly equipment, plant and assets.

The benefits of LSOH Low Smoke Zero Halogen cable accessories are 3 fold:  

1) People - much improved safety margins help fire survival rates in enclosed or highly populated public areas.

2) Specifier - enhanced fire damage protection for both structures and sensitive electronic equipment. This demonstrates serious and appropriate concern for public and environmental safety.

3) Contractor - no loss of versatility, LSOH cable accessories can be installed wherever conventional PVC cables would be installed and are compatible.

 

In Practice - Cable Labels, Joints, Glands & Cable Ties

Prysmian Afumex is the market leading Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cable with variants available including 6491B Single Core Conduit Cables, 6242B Twin Flat Wiring Cables, Screened Wiring Cables and LSOH building cables for power, lighting and sub mains distribution.

Therefore to continue and maintain the LSOH integrity of cable installations, it is recommended when carrying out any cable jointing to use only LSOH cable joints, such as Prysmian Afumex Resin Joints. Prysmian low voltage resin cable joints are also specified for fire performance and fire hazard applications by London Underground (LUL), including multicore (2, 3 and 4 core) power cable joints, 1.5sqmm-400sqmm, 600/1000 volts. Similarly when terminating or glanding low voltage cables it is important to observe the specification of cable glands and ensure they are LSOH.

CMP Solo Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSOH) cable glands (A2, BW, CW and E1W kits) terminate all types of steel wire armoured and unarmoured low smoke and fume cables. CMP Solo LSF cable glands are widely specified in the building services and construction industry to prevent public health dangers posed by toxic fume emissions in the event of a fire. The CMP Solo LSF brand of Low Smoke and Fume elastomeric compound formula ensures the highest degree of protection in terms of reduced levels of noxious fumes and toxic emissions generated from cable glands.

Silver Fox "Fox-Flo" zero halogen cable labels are safe and provide protection against all aspects of fire hazard including smoke and gas emissions, flame spread and heat release.

Silver Fox Tie-on Cable Labels are ideal for larger cables and cable bundles and for use with nylon or stainless steel cable ties.

Silver Fox Fox-Flo tie-on cable labels are low-smoke, zero-halogen and UV-stable. Produced using the highest quality materials offering long-term endurance and reliability of zero halogen cable labels. The Silver Fox Fox-Flo labels are both strong and flexible and can be attached using either nylon or stainless steel cable ties. Print quickly and easily using the Silver Fox Plug'N'Play thermal printer and Silver Fox Labacus Innovator Advanced or Professional labelling software.

The Fox-Flo Zero Halogen Tie-on Cable Labels are authorised for use for London Underground Limited projects and suitable for any applications where LSZH is specified.

During cable installation whether to cable tray, rack or ladder LSOH cable ties should be used as traditional PVC plastic cable ties release thick black smoke which obscures escape routes and causes asphyxiation, reducing the public's ability to respond in an emergency which can result in mass panic. Thomas & Betts Ty-Fast cable ties (low smoke and fume & LSOH) are zero halogen and flame retardant maintaining the LSOH integrity of electrical installations. LSOH cable ties are made from low smoke flame retardant Polyamide 6.6 and meet the requirements of UL94 V-0 for cable bundling in buildings, tunnels and public transport. Thomas & Betts Ty-Rap cable ties with UL94 V-0 flammability rating shall not have any specimens that burn with flaming combustion for more than 10 seconds - ideal for low and high voltage cable support and bundling LSOH and BS6724 LSF type power cables.

T&D are Link-up Registered and Approved Vendors to Network Rail and TfL London Underground (LU).

 

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