LSF vs LSHF Cables - Watch the cigarette lighter test
Recent confusion surrounding LSF (Low Smoke and Fume) and LSHF (Low Smoke Halogen Free) cables has led FS Cables to film a very simple cigarette lighter flame test to demonstrate the difference.
LSHF cables are those that, when exposed to fire, emit no more than 0.5% hydrogen chloride. They are not the same as LSF cables.
LSF cables, in the case of data, signal and control cables, are made from a modified version of PVC and can still give off large amounts of black smoke and hydrogen chloride gas when burned.
Black smoke can obscure exit routes in the event of a fire and hydrogen chloride gas can be deadly to both people and sensitive equipment.
Ordinary PVC emits approximately 28% hydrogen chloride when burned and, while no specific standard exists for their emissions, LSF cables can still give off a massive 22% hydrogen chloride and still be sold as LSF.
To demonstrate this point, FS Cables has recorded a very simple cigarette lighter flame test using a piece of unscreened data cable in both LSF and LSHF versions and put it on YouTube.
The results are startling. The LSF cable (top right) very quickly begins to burn and give off black smoke.
By contrast, see how the LSHF cable (bottom left) burns cleanly when exposed to the same heat source. The sheath swells and will eventually burn through in the same way as LSF but it is only producing a tiny amount of white smoke and almost no flame.
If it's a public access building such as an airport, a hospital, a prison, or a hotel, or indeed anywhere that the evacuation in the event of a fire may be restricted you will almost certainly need a LSHF cable.
Don't just take our word for it - see the video for yourself by visiting
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