Fire Resistant Cables - Halogens are a group of highly reactive elements including fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine. When products containing halogens are burned, they can produce very dangerous gases. Public awareness of these dangers began years ago after several tragic fires claimed the lives of victims who inhaled these deadly halogenated fumes.
Highly publicized cable fires, including those at the Pace Lahore, Al-Fatah Store, PNC Building Karachi and many other have led to important changes that significantly limit where cables containing halogens may be used.
Highly publicized cable fires, including those at the Pace Lahore, Al-Fatah Store, PNC Building Karachi and many other have led to important changes that significantly limit where cables containing halogens may be used.
In Asia, the United Kingdom and many European communities the use of wire and cable containing halogens is highly regulated, and in some areas completely prohibited.
Why is zero Halogen cable better?
Two halogens – chlorine and fluorine, are found in many compounds that are used for insulating and jacketing electrical wire and cable. Common materials like PVC contain significant amounts of these halogens. PVC for example, contains 29% chlorine by weight.
Halogenated compounds are normally very stable. When they burn, however, the halogens separate and become highly reactive - forming very toxic, extremely dangerous, highly corrosive gases that can significantly dam-age organic, inorganic and metallic materials. The hydrogen chloride gas produced from burning PVC for example, is very similar to mustard” gas.
