Low smoke zero halogen cabling range enhances electrical and fire safety

An internationally proven range of low smoke, flame-retardant, zero halogen cabling systems is now available in Australia, in response to rising awareness of risks to life and property from toxic fumes. Specifiers are now aware that smoke and poisonous fumes can be a greater risk to lives and property than fire alone; with the increased demand for safety and risk management in public and private commercial infrastructure, specifiers and their contractors are now advised to install materials that provide the greatest assurance of safety and protection. This duty of care extends across a range of industry designers, specifiers and managers, including architects, engineers, construction, infrastructure and HVAC managers. It also applies to data and telecommunications specialists, and electronic and IT systems installers particularly, working on projects including transport facilities, major public and private buildings, materials handling, industrial automation and Industry 4.0 applications.

Global cable systems technology leader LAPP has moved to expand stocking of the low smoke halogen-free types of its top-selling OLFLEX, UNITRONIC and ETHERLINE ranges, in response to strong Australian demand. The company now stocks a wide range of purpose-designed, low smoke halogen-free cables, with uses extending from building and construction to energy and resources. Simon Pullinger, General Manager of LAPP Australia, noted that the multi-tiered product ranges now stocked for rapid delivery — and backed by a free cut-to-length service tailored to individual projects — range from single-core and multi-core power and control, screened and unscreened data transmission and industrial and LAN Ethernet cables. All are tested to the highest global standards and used in more than 50 countries to deliver additional safety and protection for applications involving large numbers of people at risk of being asphyxiated and major concentrations of vital electronic and communications equipment that could be rendered useless by destructive acidic fumes.

The stark difference between smoke emission by LSZH cable, top, and ordinary cable, bottom. The main drivers for halogen-free products are fire safety (smoke toxicity and smoke propagation), fire damage to electronics by severe corrosive effects, and high-temperature applications of cabling. Image credit: LAPP Australia.

LAPP Australia’s locally stocked ranges — designed to be useful where fire hazard is a consideration and where high-value property is concentrated — include OLFLEX CLASSIC 130H, which is suitable for fixed and flexible installations, including airports, railway stations, transport facilities, air conditioning, industrial machinery and plant engineering. The range also includes OLFLEX CLASSIC 135GH, a halogen-free control cable, flexible and screened for various applications including those in public buildings and industrial plants; and OLFLEX CLASSIC 115CH, a halogen-free control cable that is oil-resistant, screened, very flexible and cold-resistant down to -30°C, and EN 45545-2 certified for railway/rolling stock application.

The OLFLEX CLASSIC 128 H BK 0.6-1kV, CLASSIC 128 CH BK 0.6-1kV, and ÖLFLEX CLASSIC 128 H BK SC types are also included in the range, and provide cost-effective halogen-free control cables with fire-resistant characteristics. These space-saving cables are suited to public buildings and industrial plants, and are weather-resistant according to ISO 4892-2. The new SC LSZH 110 range + SDI 110 + EARTH 110 features a low smoke gas density; both smoke inhalation and the amount of dark smoke in fire can prevent people from finding escape routes in a fire. LSZH cables are the recommended cables for Green Star-rated building projects due to the low toxicity and low smoke design. LSZH cables don’t require PVC Best Practice certification as there are no PVC elements in the cable construction. The UNITRONIC ROBUST C and UNITRONIC ROBUST C (TP) systems enable halogen-free data transmission with a colour code according to DIN 47100 standards. This system is also resistant to a range of chemical media (TP signifies a twisted pair option).

UNITRONIC LiHCH TP has the same advantages of other LiHCH cables but with twisted pair arrangements to facilitate de-coupling of circuits, and a tinned copper wire braid to protect the cable against external electrical influences. ETHERLINE PN CAT.6A FRNC FLEX FC facilitates flexible use PROFINET applications with four pairs. This range can come with PVC or FRNC (flame retardant non-corrosive) outer sheath and has UL-approval. ETHERLINE ROBUST Cat.7 FLEX, which is designed for PROFINET applications, is halogen-free with a TPE sheath and features good chemical and weather resistance.

Pullinger said the biggest issue facing new users of LSZH cables is a full understanding of what is a true low smoke zero halogen cable. “This is a key consideration in risk management and safety, because to be assured you are selecting a quality cable that will offer security during fire, it must pass three tests contained in IEC and VDE standards, pertaining to halogen content, low smoke density and flame propagation. These tests are all encompassed in LAPP’s range of low smoke halogen free products, which are stringently tested to ensure peace of mind when installing these cables where human life or valuable property are exposed to a high risk of fire hazards.” He added that toxic smoke is of particular concern within enclosed spaces where means of escape are limited. Examples include mass transit vehicles and offshore oil and gas platforms and ships. “It is also becoming critical to use halogen-free products around areas where electronics are present, with examples of particular concern including data centres handling vital information, hugely expensive production facilities and telecommunications equipment upon which entire communities depend, particularly in emergencies,” Pullinger said.

The low smoke halogen free products are new additions to LAPP Australia’s stock of more than 4000 products locally, for short lead-time delivery coast-to-coast. These include cable and cabling systems focused on safety and sustainability, encompassing halogen-free products and conduit and cable systems integral to sustainability and reliability in areas such as solar, wind and broader green energy systems, and surveillance, security and safety systems. Pullinger added that the current availability of 20,000 products online locally, with engineering and technical support, gives customers greater access to advanced products and rapid lead times, for better planning of future-focused initiatives, including safety, sustainability and Industry 4.0 automation and digital integration.

Top image credit: LAPP Australia