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Classification of Low Fire Hazard performance (LFH)
Buyer Beware
It is unfortunate that the European standard writing
organisation for cable management products has yet to
prepare a classification standard for Low Fire Hazard products
that would define terms, detail test methods and classify
results. As a result there are many undefined terms used that
may not be clearly understood.
To be Low Fire Hazard a product must display
ALL
of the
following: Highly flame retardant, Low smoke emission, Low
toxic fumes and Halogen free.
Terms such as Low Smoke and Fume (LSF) may not address
Toxicity and Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LS0H) may not
address flame retardancy.
Make sure your supplier can provide documented evidence
for all four aspects of Low Fire Hazard performance.
Inherently Low Fire Hazard
These products are made entirely from metals so there is no non-metallic material to burn or create smoke
or toxic fumes.
Inherently Low Fire Hazard products include; FU, SSU, FB, FUSSB, FTCB and metal fittings.
Extra Low Fire Hazard
These products have a Limiting Oxygen Index of greater than 34% as well as being low smoke and
low toxicity.
Extra Low Fire Hazard products include; LFHU, LFHUBRD, LTPLFH, LTBRDLFH, LFHP, FPR, FPRSS
and FPRTC
Standard Low Fire Hazard
These products have a Limiting Oxygen Index of greater than 22% as well as being low smoke and
low toxicity.
Standard Low Fire Hazard products include; FPAS, FPAH, FPI, FPISS, FPIH, FPIHSS and PA66 fittings.
EXTRA
LOW FIRE
HAZARD
INHERENT
LOW FIRE
HAZARD
STANDARD
LOW FIRE
HAZARD
EXTRA
LOW FIRE
HAZARD
INHERENT
LOW FIRE
HAZARD
STANDARD
LOW FIRE
HAZARD
EXTRA
LOW FIRE
HAZARD
INHERENT
LOW FIRE
HAZARD
Specifying Bodies
UK Rail
uses BS6853 which includes tests for LOI, glow wire,
smoke and toxicity. Minimum LOI for over ground trains is 28%.
London Underground
uses BS6853 which includes tests for
LOI, glow wire, smoke and toxicity with additional requirements
within its own standard 1-085. Minimum LOI for underground
trains is 34%. The following products have been approved by
London Underground;
Certificate No. 296, conduit types FU, SSU and FUSSB.
Certificate No. 297, conduit types LFHU, LFHUBRD and LFHP.
Certificate No. 298, conduit types FPR and FPRSS.
Certificate No. 658, conduit type LTBRDLFH.
Certificate No. 2020, conduit type LTPLFH.
Certificate No. 2624, EXD barrier glands.
French Rail
uses NF F 16-101/2 which gives an I (Ignition)
and F (Fume) rating.
German Rail
uses DIN 5510.
Italian Rail
uses CEI 11170.
European Rail
, there is now a new European rail fire
standard, EN 45545, which will eventually replace national rail
standards. This gives a HL (Hazard Level) classification.
Australian Rail
uses AS/NZS 1530.3.
USA Rail
uses ASTM E 162 and ASTM E 662.
UK Ministry of Defence uses
Defence Standards 02-711
and 02-713.
Russian Fire Certificate
No. 0642449
Flexicon Technical Data Sheets
Flexicon provides Technical data sheets which give full details of product performance and test data on each product.
Full independent test reports are available on request.