Is LSZH wiring a worthwhile safety investment?

[Lomax]

In many countries it is now a legal requirement to use Low Smoke / Zero Halogen cabling in new-builds, particularly when intended for public use. It is also a requirement on commercial vessels and airplanes. Having seen a few videos of PVC cable burning, and the toxic thick black smoke this produces, I can see why. Considering that a boat is a confined space, with few exits and poor ventilation, and lots of high-current equipment, would you say the extra cost of LSZH wire is money well spent?

 

[PaulRainbow]

I would say no. If the boat catches fire you'll want to be out of it pretty smartly, so i don't think you'll be around to smell the smoke Best bet, IMO, is to fit smoke alarms and put fire extinguishers in appropriate places. If there's a fire, abandon ship. You certainly wouldn't want to hang around below decks too much trying to put it out. Look at some of the videos on YouTube of boat fires.

 

[savageseadog]

An interesting question, I'm not sure but for starters it might be more worthwhile ensuring that cable sizes were adequate, connections in good order, fuses/breakers correct rating etc.

 

[prv]

Only if you also build the hull out of low-smoke/zero halogen polyester

Buildings and ships are both large complex structures where a fire in one part can fill other parts with smoke, and you might need to travel some distance along corridors etc to get outside. In a normal-sized yacht you're going to be either immediately putting out a small fire or escaping from a large one, and are never more than a few feet from an exit. The cabin will be untenable long before enough wiring has burned to produce a dangerous amount of smoke from that source alone.

Pete

 

[Lomax]

Thanks everyone, you've convinced me there's little point, and that it's better to spend the money on more/better fire alarms etc.

Only if you also build the hull out of low-smoke/zero halogen polyester

Touché! Though my boat is steel hulled...

 

[rogerthebodger]

Thanks everyone, you've convinced me there's little point, and that it's better to spend the money on more/better fire alarms etc.



Touché! Though my boat is steel hulled...

So is mine but fire would cause the insulation to burn and even with fire resistant insulation foam you still get black smoke its just not as toxic.

IMHO cable insulation and a small vessel is a lessor of a problem than other combustible products used in boat building.

All my wiring is housed in PVC trunking. conduit and connection boxes any way.