BS 6724 Halogenfree Cables Boost Safety in Critical Settings

In modern infrastructure, one component plays a disproportionately large role in life safety: the BS 6724 Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) Armored Power Cable. This specialized cabling system represents a significant advancement over conventional wiring, particularly in high-occupancy and environmentally sensitive installations.

The BS 6724 designation refers to the British Standard 6724 specification for armored power cables operating at low voltage. This comprehensive standard establishes rigorous requirements for:

• Mechanical durability
• Flame retardance
• Smoke emission characteristics
• Halogen content limitations
• Electrical performance metrics

Unlike standard wiring that simply conducts electricity, BS 6724 compliant cables undergo exhaustive testing to ensure performance during emergency situations. Three critical applications demonstrate their importance:

In hospitals, shopping centers, and educational facilities, rapid egress during emergencies depends on maintaining visibility and breathable air. Traditional cable materials can produce lethal smoke clouds and toxic gases during combustion.

Tunnel environments present unique challenges with limited ventilation. LSZH cables significantly reduce smoke density and eliminate corrosive acid gas formation that could compromise emergency systems and rescue operations.

Petrochemical plants and power generation stations require cabling that won't contribute to fire propagation or produce combustion byproducts that could damage sensitive equipment during incidents.

Traditional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulated cables present two major hazards during fire events:

1. Dense smoke obscuration reducing visibility to near zero
2. Release of hydrogen chloride gas forming hydrochloric acid when combined with moisture

BS 6724 cables utilize polyolefin-based LSZH compounds that:

• Reduce smoke density by up to 90% compared to PVC
• Eliminate halogenated gas emissions completely
• Maintain circuit integrity at elevated temperatures

Multi-strand copper conductors meeting IEC 60228 Class 2 specifications provide:

• Superior flexibility for easier installation
• Enhanced current carrying capacity
• Improved fatigue resistance in vibrating environments

XLPE insulation offers:

• 90°C continuous operating temperature rating
• Exceptional dielectric strength
• Resistance to chemical degradation

This critical layer provides:

• Additional flame retardance
• Smoke suppression
• Toxic gas elimination

The armored layer delivers:

• Crush resistance up to 70 kN/m
• Rodent protection
• Mechanical damage prevention

The final protective layer features:

• UV stabilization for outdoor use
• Chemical resistance
• Enhanced flame retardance

Construction Products Regulation (CPR) compliant versions undergo additional fire performance testing with classification levels (B2ca, Cca, Dca) indicating progressively stricter fire safety characteristics.

Modern infrastructure demands cabling solutions that prioritize safety without compromising performance. The BS 6724 LSZH armored cable represents a technological solution that meets these dual requirements, particularly in applications where human safety and equipment protection are paramount.