Fire Safety

Cable safety cannot be determined by a single material characteristic such as the presence or absence of halogens. Fire safety depends on the overall performance of the cable system, including its classification under European standards such as the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).

PVC cables offer a balanced fire performance profile, including resistance to ignition, limited flame spread and no flaming droplets. Test results under CPR conditions show that PVC cable systems can achieve fire performance comparable to, and in some cases exceeding, alternative materials, including in terms of heat release rate — a key parameter in fire development.

It is also important to note that smoke acidity is not a reliable indicator of fire safety. In real fire scenarios, carbon monoxide (CO) is the primary toxic threat, while hydrogen chloride (HCl) remains localised and plays a secondary role.

Halogen-free cables are used in certain applications where specific smoke or acidity characteristics are prioritised. The choice of cable material depends on the requirements of the installation and the overall performance of the cable system.

In some applications, such as electric vehicle charging cables covered by EN 50620, halogen-free materials are specified by standard. This means that PVC is not included in these specific cases, even though it is widely used in other cable applications with well-documented safety and performance.

In some applications, such as electric vehicle charging cables covered by EN 50620, halogen-free materials are specified by standard. As a result, PVC is not included in these specific cases, despite its well-established performance in other cable applications.

In other regions, such as the United States, standards like UL 62 allow the use of PVC in charging cables, reflecting different technical approaches to meeting safety and performance requirements. Similar approaches can also be found in other markets, including South Korea, where PVC remains part of the cable system landscape.

All cable materials produce smoke when exposed to fire. The key factors for safety are smoke density, toxicity and fire development.

Well-formulated PVC cable compounds incorporating flame retardants and smoke suppressants achieve strong classifications for smoke production under European standards. Modern PVC cables can meet stringent CPR requirements for smoke behaviour.

In fire scenarios, carbon monoxide (CO) is the primary toxic threat, while other combustion products play a secondary role.

Smoke acidity is often cited in discussions about cable materials, but it is not a reliable indicator of overall fire safety. Fire safety studies show that acidity does not represent smoke toxicity and is not a good measure of real fire hazard. The most critical factor in fire development is the heat release rate, which determines how quickly a fire grows.

While combustion of PVC can produce hydrogen chloride (HCl), this compound is rapidly diluted and remains localised near the fire source. It may contribute to irritation and provide an early warning signal, but it is not the determining factor in fire safety outcomes. Corrosive effects on equipment may be relevant for post-fire damage assessment, but they are not a primary factor in life safety during fire events.

PVC cable systems perform well in terms of heat release and flame spread, which are the key parameters for limiting fire development.

Yes. PVC cables used in building applications are tested under harmonised European standards and classified under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).

PVC cable systems can achieve high fire performance classifications, including B2ca, demonstrating their suitability for demanding building environments.

Ongoing development within the European PVC cable value chain continues to improve fire and smoke behaviour in line with evolving regulatory requirements.