Why is this material mandatory in enclosed public spaces like subways and tunnels?
Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) materials are mandatory in enclosed public spaces like subways and tunnels primarily due to critical safety considerations in the event of a fire.
- Low Smoke: In a fire, conventional cable jackets often produce dense, opaque smoke. In enclosed environments, this smoke can rapidly fill the space, severely reducing visibility and making evacuation extremely difficult and dangerous. LSZH materials are engineered to emit significantly less smoke, thereby improving visibility for occupants to find escape routes and for emergency services to conduct rescue operations.
- Zero Halogen: Many traditional cable insulations contain halogenated polymers (such as PVC). When these materials burn, they release toxic and corrosive halogen gases (e.g., hydrogen chloride). These gases pose a severe threat to human health, causing respiratory damage and irritation, and can also cause significant corrosion and damage to sensitive electronic equipment and infrastructure within the enclosed space, leading to prolonged operational downtime and costly repairs. LSZH materials are free of halogens, thus preventing the release of these harmful gases during combustion.
Therefore, the mandatory use of LSZH patch cords and cables in subways and tunnels is a measure to protect human life, facilitate emergency response, and minimize infrastructure damage in critical fire scenarios.
You can learn more about general fiber optic patch cord specifications on our website: OFSCN® Standard Fiber Patch Cord.
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