Vertex Marine Inc.

Vertex LSFLEX Marine Cable - Insulation and Jacket Materials:

• Halogen free
• Emit low smoke
• Do not form corrosive acids
• Have an extremely low fuel element

LSZH simply translates to Low Smoke Zero Halogen and refers to the behavior of chemical compounds when combusted - specifically the quantity of smoke generated and the toxicity of emissions.

Halogens - What are they?

• Halogens are a group of five lements comprising: Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine
  and Astatine.

Halogens - The effect of combustion?

• In their basic form, Halogens are very toxic, strong, oxidizers and very chemically reactive. In the event of combustion, LSZH and non LSZH cables behave in very different ways.

What's the difference between LSZH Marine Cables and non-LSZH Marine Cables?

LSZH cables have a zero halogen content, emit no toxic fumes, generate very little smoke and produce no corrosive or caustic acids. LSZH cables are therefore ideally suited for all marine applications where personnel safety and protection of valuable equipment are of paramount importance.

Non LSZH cables, or Halogenated Cables, are typically manufactured from thermoplastic compounds, such as PVC. On combustion, these compounds generate highly toxic fumes that cause severe irritation to the eyes, nose, mouth, throat and lungs. Increased concentrations are considered fatal to humans.

They also generate large volumes of dense black smoke that blocks visibility and severely disrupts evacuation procedures. The smoke and fumes can also lead to suffocation from smoke inhalation. A one meter length of burning cable that contains 0.85kg of PVC will completely obscure a room of 100m3 with black toxic smoke in less than five minutes.

When combusted, Halogens combine with moisture to form Hydrochloric Acid. This extremely corrosive acid is potentially deadly to humans and always causes extensive property damage. Acid of this nature aggressively attack electrical switchboards, motors, fixtures, furnishings, floor coverings, paint surfaces etc. In many cases the effects of acid corrosion after a fire are much more severe than the actual fire damage itself.