LSZH vs. PVC Cable Sheathing: Choosing the Right Standard for Data Center Fire Safety

Introduction With the rapid development of the digital economy, data centers—the core hubs for information storage and exchange—are placing increasing emphasis on the safety and compliance of their infrastructure. Among the various security risks in data centers, fire hazards stand out as a critical concern due to their potential to cause large-scale data loss, operational disruptions, and even casualties. The choice of cable sheathing materials directly impacts flame spread speed, smoke emission, and toxic gas production during a fire, thereby determining a data center's compliance with fire safety regulations. Currently, the most commonly used cable sheathing materials in data centers are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH). These two materials exhibit significant differences in flame retardancy, environmental safety, and cost efficiency, which directly affect a data center's fire safety compliance. 1. Core Characteristics of LSZH vs. PVC Sheathing Materials 1.