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Home / Blog >UAE/Dubai Cable Standards 2025: Why Must LSZH Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cables Be Mandatory?

UAE/Dubai Cable Standards 2025: Why Must LSZH Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cables Be Mandatory?

Time: 2025-12-04 03:40:22 Source: Henan Province Jianyun Cable Co., Ltd.

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Dubai's skyline of towering skyscrapers and enclosed public spaces demands unparalleled fire safety, where a single cable failure could endanger thousands. In the UAE, particularly Dubai, Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) cables are not just recommended – they are mandatory for most installations under the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice. Updated for 2025 with enhanced Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) approvals, these standards prioritize evacuation visibility and reduced toxicity amid high-rise density. This guide explains the LSZH mandate, drawing from UAE Fire Code Chapters 1 and 8, and covers key requirements for engineers, contractors, and exporters in the UAE's $20B+ construction market.

1. The Core Standards: UAE/Dubai Electrical Regulations Overview

UAE electrical standards harmonize IEC 60364 with local adaptations via the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The UAE Fire and Life Safety Code (2021, with 2025 amendments) mandates LSZH for enclosed spaces, while DEWA's Green Building Regulations and DCD approvals enforce compliance. Key specs: Cables up to 1000V AC/1500V DC must meet BS EN 50575 (CPR Euroclasses) and IEC 60754 (<0.5% halogen). Dubai's high-rises require DCD certification, ensuring cables maintain integrity for 60-120 minutes in fires.

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2. Why LSZH Cables Are Mandatory in UAE/Dubai

LSZH cables are enforced in UAE Fire Code Chapter 1, Section 34 and Chapter 8 for all enclosed high-rise buildings, tunnels, and public venues to mitigate smoke and toxic gas risks – the leading cause of fire fatalities (70% from inhalation). Traditional PVC cables emit dense black smoke and corrosive HCl gas (>20% emissions), obscuring exits and damaging equipment; LSZH limits smoke to ≥70% light transmittance (IEC 61034) and halogens to <0.5% (IEC 60754), enhancing visibility and safety. In Dubai's vertical cities like Burj Khalifa, where evacuation could take 30+ minutes, LSZH reduces hazards, complies with DCD inspections, and supports Vision 2030's sustainable builds. Non-compliance voids insurance and halts projects.

3. Cable Sizing and Circuit Requirements

Sizing follows DEWA guidelines and IEC 60364-5-52, factoring 40°C ambient derating (K=0.87), voltage drop (max 3% lighting/5% power), and LSZH thermal limits. Minimum 1.5 mm² for lighting; use XLPE/LSZH sheaths for heat resistance.

Circuit Type Cable Size (mm²) Ampacity (LSZH, 40°C) Breaker Rating Typical Use
Lighting 1.5 16 A 10 A Indoor lights
Socket-Outlets 2.5 22 A 16 A General outlets
High-Load (e.g., AC) 4.0 30 A 25 A Cooling systems
Fire Systems 6.0 40 A 32 A Sprinklers, alarms
Earth (PE) Min 2.5 N/A N/A Grounding

4. Cable Colour Coding Standards

Per UAE DEWA and IEC 60446: Brown (phase), blue (neutral), green/yellow (PE). Multi-phase: Brown (L1), black (L2), grey (L3). LSZH sheaths retain colors; markings ensure visibility in low-light evacuations.

5. Installation Practices and Safety Rules

UAE Fire Code requires radial circuits, conduits for walls (<50 mm deep protected), and 30 mA RCDs for sockets. LSZH cables in fire-rated enclosures; Dubai mandates PH30/PH60 integrity (BS EN 50200). 2025: Enhanced for EVs and smart buildings.

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6. Fire Safety and LSZH Performance

LSZH meets IEC 60332 (flame non-propagation), IEC 61034 (≥70% transmittance), and IEC 60754 (<0.5% halogen). In Dubai high-rises, they ensure 60-120 min circuit integrity (BS 6387 C-W-Z), reducing smoke toxicity and aiding escape in enclosed spaces.

7. Ensuring Compliance in 2025

  1. Select DCD-approved LSZH cables (LPCB/BASEC certified).
  2. Test to IEC 60754/61034; derate for 40°C+ ambients.
  3. Verify: Insulation (>1 MΩ), RCD trips, fire endurance.
  4. Obtain ECAS/ESMA certificate; DCD inspection mandatory.
  5. Align with UAE Fire Code Ch.1/8 for high-rises.

8. Final Thoughts

UAE/Dubai's LSZH mandate transforms fire risks into managed realities – low smoke for clear escapes, zero halogens for breathable air. In a city of icons, these cables safeguard lives amid vertical ambition. For Dubai's golden future, compliance is the ultimate blueprint.

Need LSZH-compliant cables for UAE projects? Contact Henan Province Jianyun Cable Co., Ltd. for tailored solutions and quotes.

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