When project requirements call for increased fire protection and decreased smoke, combined with protection of people and sensitive equipment, it becomes crucial to select the appropriate LSZH or halogen-free cable to meet the requirements. During a fire these cables will reduce the amount of toxic halogen gases and dense smoke released, which is directly beneficial for evacuation from the fire and to reduce damage from corrosion in buildings, transport systems and industrial facilities. We at Hulk Electric can assist engineers and specifiers with these requirements and provide them with reliable, certified halogen-free solutions that are customizable for their challenging applications.
Based on location, occupancy, regulations and risk assessment, LSZH cables are frequently transitioned from a nice-to-have to a must-have in our experience with supplying industrial automation and infrastructure projects in 30+ countries. This guide explains the common scenarios in which LSZH/halogen-free projects might be needed, with references to actual standards and other factors to consider.
Why LSZH and Halogen-Free Cables Show Up in Project Specs
LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) and halogen-free cables are designed for mostly to give lower levels of corrosive and toxic gases and produce less opaque smoke during a fire. This enhances visibility during evacuation and will keep building control systems, electronics and infrastructure from getting damaged by acids.
These cables often show up as a result of project requirements, European CPR/Euroclass regulations, transport authority standards, local building codes and client safety policies, as opposed to universal requirements such as U.S. NEC. They can be specified ahead of time to prevent rework, re-inspection or non-acceptance at commissioning.
Construction and public infrastructure projects.
Building and Public Infrastructure Projects
In occupied spaces, high-high developments are getting more and more to opt for LSZH sheathing when it comes to power cables, control cables, and data cables.
High-Rise Buildings, Shopping Malls and Public Facilities
The cables of LSZH grade-A are usually needed in high-rise offices, hotels, shopping malls, hospitals and crowded public places. Common areas that are often targeted for focus are escape routes, vertical risers, stairwells, and corridors where smoke and toxic fumes can be a threat to life safety. With the increasing requirements of modern municipalities and good quality residential developments for standard PVC cables to be banned from areas where it can be enclosed and high occupancy, many projects now make this explicit and opt for alternative halogen-free cables that provide better compliance and audit results.
CPR / Euroclass and National Regulations in Europe
Cables used in fixed installations should have a reaction-to-fire Euroclass rating (e.g. B2ca or Cca) under the European Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and EN 50575. These performance levels can be accomplished with LSHZ compounds that meet IEC 60754 (halogen acid gas) and IEC 61034 (smoke density) tests. In addition, some European countries have more stringent LSZH requirements along egress routes and in high-rise buildings and the “LSZH cables compliant with IEC 60754, IEC 61034, and EN 50575” is a common requirement in tender documentation.
Transport Systems and Tunnels
Some of the most demanding LSZH requirements are found in enclosed spaces, due to limited ventilation, and long evacuation distances.
Metro Systems, Railways and Underground Transport
LSZH armoured or unarmoured cables are often required in metro systems, underground railways, road tunnels, station buildings and airports. These projects involve a high volume of passengers and tight areas, and this requires low smoke and no halogens performance to ensure safe evacuation and uninterrupted operations. If the specifications of the transport authority are not met then the project may be rejected or the entire cable has to be replaced.
Aircraft, Ships and Marine Installations
Vehicles such as aircraft, trains, ships, submarines and offshore platforms require engine rooms, interior wiring and confined spaces – and in all of these situations, cables which are free from halogens are required. Marine and aerospace standards focus on lower smoke and toxic fumes in environments where it may be difficult to escape and when ventilation is limited.
Data Centers, Control Rooms and Mission-Critical Equipment Spaces
The protection of electronics is as critical as life safety, especially when the electronics are sensitive.
Server Rooms, Data Centers and IT Infrastructure
Data centers, server rooms, telecom facilities and network hubs often require LSZH cables to protect sensitive equipment from corrosive gases. These requirements also provide for the safety of personnel and system uptime, given the dense cabling that is located close to cooling systems, and the limited egress paths.
Control Rooms, Process Plants and Nuclear Facilities
LSZH cables safeguard instrumentation and automation equipment in proximity to valuable equipment in control rooms, nuclear power stations and critical process plants. In such environments, project specs frequently refer to the use of halogen-free materials on important circuits and cable trays.
Industrial Facilities and Enclosed Plant Areas
LSZH is applied in the indoor environment increasingly in modern factories and automation lines.
Factories, Workshops and Enclosed Industrial Spaces
LSZH cables are strongly recommended or required in multiple line production areas where control cabinets and other occupied work areas are located. They are appropriate for indoor trays, machine wiring and automation systems where ventilation may be restricted and electronic equipment sensitive.
Escape Routes and Critical Equipment Rooms
Based on the overall fire-safety strategy, many industrial and public projects require specific installation of LSZH in escape routes, corridors, stairwells and rooms with critical equipment.
How to Recognize LSZH Requirements in Project Specifications
Scan tender documents for phrases such as:
- Enclosed public areas: Install cables that are low smoke zero halogen (LSZH).
- Use halogen free cables conforming to IEC 60754 / IEC 61034 in tunnels and metro systems.
- PVC cables are not allowed, LSZH is required in buildings over 100m tall.
Check for CPR Euroclass ratings, IEC standards or explicit listing of halogenated material prohibitions.
Regional and Industry Variations
It is used in certain European evacuation routes, many Asian and North American infrastructure projects and is specified by the client in tenders for industrial projects. Both local codes and owner standards are aligned with international projects.
Practical Guidance – When Engineers Should Proactively Specify LSZH
In these situations, use LSZH or halogen-free cables:
- High occupancy/confined public areas (mall, hospital, school).
- Long evacuation routes or facilities with underground structures (tunnels, metros, basements).
- High density critical electronics (data centres, control rooms).
- Rigorous fire-safety requirements or CPR/Euroclass requirements.
Write these out on design packages and be sure to avoid substitutions. The cable range at HULK ELECTRIC, halogen-free, is certified to the respective IEC, CE and other certificates and is flexible and durable for automation, infrastructure.
Choosing LSZH when project requirements or risk levels dictate it can help guarantee compliance, seamless approvals, and reliable performance. Tell us your project specifications and we will provide you with the most suitable and efficient halogen free cable solutions for your project.