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Author: Luke Publish Time: 20-10-2025 Origin: Site
The electrical cables are the lifeblood of every infrastructure that has been created with the help of modern technology, starting from commercial buildings and data centers and going to public buildings and transportation systems. However, during a fire, unlike when they are normally functioning, these cables may pose a dangerous threat if they fail to perform safely.
The consequences of using the wrong type of cable are actually severe: it may cause system failure, lack of communication, and the emission of toxic smoke that is potentially fatal. The research tells us that most victims lose their lives in fires mainly because of smoke inhalation and also the visible obstruction due to the contaminated smoke.
That is why fire performance cables are necessary to have in place. They are built not only to stop the spread of flames but also to preserve circuit integrity. Moreover, they are designed to minimize harmful emissions when the conditions are extreme.
More often than not, these adjectives are duplicated, yet they have a very distinctive role to play.
Flame-retardant cables are the ones that tend to inhibit the fire at their own length, which means they limit the propagation of the fire along the cables. They are effective in restricting the advance of fire initially where it is ignited so that the fire does not travel through cable trays or walls.
Yet in most cases, when these cables are exposed to high temperature, they do not allow electrical system functioning anymore. Once the cable insulation is completely burned, the circuit fails, and electricity will no longer be supplied to dependent systems.
However, they would be useful in a fire where containment—not continuity—is the goal.
Fire-resistant cables are designed to remain operational in the event of a fire.
They can maintain circuit integrity for a defined period—up to 120 minutes, usually—giving critical systems time such as:
• Fire alarms and detectors.
• Emergency lighting systems.
• Public address and evacuation systems.
• Sprinkler control and smoke extraction systems.
This helps ensure that individuals can be evacuated safely from a building and that all emergency systems functions, thus providing a chance for people to escape.
In summary:
Type | Function | Circuit Integrity | Typical Use |
Flame-Retardant | Prevents flame spread | ✖ No | General wiring |
Fire-Resistant | Maintains operation in fire | ✔ Yes | Safety systems |
Given that circuit integrity is the very center of a fire-resistant cable, it means that a cable is able to transmit energy or signals, which keeps communication channels open and controls labored at work designed to inhibit the fire.
Standards like BS EN 50200 and BS 6387 define uniform testing conditions: flame exposure at even 950 °C, water spray, and shocks to make sure the cable stays operational for the set period (30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes).
Cables produced by Zion Communication, which are certified by LPCB, go to these tests, so that they can be reliable in real circumstances.
Fire safety measures not only include how well materials are able to cope with heat but also are focused on what type of harmful emissions they produce.
Traditional PVC-insulated cables, which though being flame-retardant, release hydrogen chloride gas and the dense black smoke, which is aggressive and lethal.
To do this, industry experts use LSZH materials today:
• Which discharge an insignificant amount of smoke for good visibility in an evacuation.
• To generate halogen (to emit no chlorine, fluorine, bromine) for human and equipment harm
The quality of cable insulation materials is evaluated in accordance with IEC 60754 (acid gas emission) and IEC 61034 (smoke density) classifications.
Zion Communication’s LSZH fire cables are packaged with a combination of flame resistance and low-toxicity substances rating together with the highest degree of safety of the building.
Property | PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) | LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) |
Flame Retardancy | High (due to chlorine) | High |
Toxic Gas Emission | High (HCl, CO, dioxins) | Very low |
Smoke Density | High, dark smoke | Low, transparent smoke |
Corrosion | Corrosive gases | Non-corrosive |
Safety Level | Moderate | Excellent |
Although PVC cables are in everyday applications in normal installations, LSZH cables are considered as sophisticated for public buildings, tunnels, hospitals, and data centers—where life factors for manifestation of safety and protection of equipment remain.
Cable behavior in fire is determined by several common international standards:
IEC 60332-1 / BS EN 60332-3 – Flame propagation tests conducted on single cables as well as in a bunch.
BS EN 50200: 2015 – Fire resistance tests involving flame and impacts having a combined character.
BS 6387: 2013 (CWZ) – The fire, water, and impact resistances that are combined.
IEC 60754 / IEC 61034 – The gas emission and smoke density evaluations.
EN 50575: 2014 + A1: 2016 (CPR) is a European standard, which classifies various cables as per reaction to fire.
Zion Communication’s fire cables conform to all the compliant standards of LPCB, UL, CPR, VDE, and RoHS and are not just compliant nationally but globally would comply or get acceptance from the international market too.
Fire-performance cables find a lot of applications in:
Fire alarm systems and evacuation routes
Building evacuation systems
Transit and underpass systems
Hospital and health systems
Data and automation networks
Power and communication formulation
In usage these cables in a fire, their function is to ensure that all human life and property remain intact.
You should consider these aspects while selecting cables:
Purpose: Is the cable to standby service to fire when required or deny extension of fire to other area?
Certification: Look for marks LPCB, UL, or CPR.
Material: Select LSZH, which is smoke-free and non-toxic.
Environment: To avoid operational problems, make sure to choose cables that are suitable for the installation site in terms of flexibility and temperature range.
Zion Communication is providing a whole package of fire-resistant and flame-retardant cables manufactured following international standards and available in various solutions for specific applications.
The first thing to do is ensuring safety, although more than just compliance is necessary—is a desiring of reliability under the most adverse conditions possible.
The understanding of the distinction between flame-retardant and fire-resistant cables and the choice of certified LSZH fire performance cables is what can help engineers and contractors build safer and smarter electrical systems.
Hangzhou Zion Communication Co., Ltd. has more than 15 years of established combined experience and it is still actively engaged in the design and manufacture of certified fire cables that support life savings, asset protection, and critical infrastructures globally.
Luke Han is a Product Manager and Director at Zion Communication,
Specializing in fire, security, and alarm solutions. With extensive industry experience,
Dedicated to delivering high-performance, reliable products that are tailored to customer needs.
luke@zion-communication.com
0086 19883212162
