Building wire to IS 694:2010 and IS 17048:2018
NBC 2016 Part 4 cl. 3.4.6.1 states that it is desirable for building wiring and cabling to have flame retardant property. NBC 2016 Part 8/Sec 2 cl. 5.3.7.1 notes that FR-LSH cable is available and may be considered.
Governing standards
Domestic supply
| Application | Cable | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed conduit wiring — general areas | FR Single Core WireIS 694:2010 | Class 2 conductor, ISI marked, BIS IS 694:2010 licence |
| Occupied floors, corridors, escape routes | FR-LSH Single Core WireIS 694:2010 | OI >29%, TI >250 °C, IEC 60754-1 halogen limit |
| High-rise, hospitals, places of assembly | LSZH / HFFR WireIS 17048:2018 | HFI-TP 70 halogen-free compound; HCl <0.5%, smoke ≥70%, OI ≥31% |
| HVAC, BMS & lighting control circuits | Multicore Flexible CableIS 694:2010 | PVC insulated & sheathed, 2–24 cores |
| Intercom, access control, nurse call | Switchboard & Intercom CableTEC/ITD G/WIR-06/02 | Electro-tinned solid copper; FR PVC sheath |
| Internal telephone, PABX distribution | CW1308 Telephone CableBT CW1308 | 0.5 mm solid copper; <97.8 Ω/km; <56 nF/km |
The BIS IS 694:2010 production line also builds H07V-K (IEC 60227-3), NYY-J / NYY-O (IEC 60502-1), BS 6004 (BS 6004:2012), and NYM-J (DIN VDE 0250) for cross-border MEP projects.
View export & international standards →Reference clients
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Building & construction cable — common questions.
What MEP consultants, EPC contractors, and project procurement teams typically ask when specifying building wire.
Does NBC 2016 require FR-LSH instead of basic FR cable?
NBC 2016 Part 4 cl. 3.4.6.1 states that it is desirable for wiring and cabling to have flame retardant property. NBC 2016 Part 8/Sec 2 cl. 5.3.7.1 states that the availability of FR-LSH cable may be noted and considered. NBC 2016 does not set cable type by occupancy group or storey count. NBC 2016 Part 8/Sec 2 Annex B reproduces CEA Regulation 44(2)(x)(f), which calls for FRLS cable of two-hour rating for a substation in a basement.
Specify FR-LSH (IS 694:2010) where the project specification limits halogen acid gas to 20% and smoke density rating to 60%. National Cables suggests FR-LSH for occupied floors, corridors, escape routes, and lift lobbies.
What are the OI and TI thresholds for FR-LSH cable per IS 694:2010?
FR-LSH cable to IS 694:2010 must meet:
- Oxygen Index ≥ 29% tested per IS 10810 (Part 58):1998
- Temperature Index ≥ 250°C tested per IS 10810 (Part 64):2003
- Halogen acid gas ≤ 20% per IS 10810 (Part 59)
- Smoke density rating ≤ 60% per IS 13360 (Part 6/Sec 9)
These metrics verify the material's flame-retardant and thermal stability properties. Each compound carries separate BIS licence and type-test evidence.
When should I specify HFFR (IS 17048:2018) instead of FR-LSH?
Specify HFFR (IS 17048:2018) for hospitals, data centres, server rooms, underground metro stations, and any tender that calls for maximum smoke and halogen limits. HFFR is limited to 0.5% halogen acid gas and must reach light transmittance ≥ 70%. FR-LSH is limited to 20% halogen acid gas and a smoke density rating ≤ 60%, a different smoke test.
The HCl difference is critical where halogen acid gas would damage medical equipment, server hardware, or evacuation visibility in a fire. FR-LSH and HFFR carry separate BIS licences and are not interchangeable where a BOQ names one standard.
Can FR-LSH and LSZH cables be mixed in the same building project?
Yes — by zone. Typical specification practice in mixed-use buildings:
- FR-LSH in occupied floors, corridors, escape routes, and lift lobbies
- LSZH (IS 17048:2018) in server rooms, hospital wings, metro-linked plant rooms, and Tier-style data hall builds
- Plain FR in back-of-house plant areas not accessible to occupants
The project's MEP fire schedule sets the cable type for each zone.
What documentation does National Cables provide for MEP / EPC tender submission?
For each cable category supplied, National Cables issues:
- BIS licence reference: CM/L-8800140116 for IS 694:2010 cables; CM/L-8800227819 for IS 17048:2018 cables (verifiable at bis.gov.in)
- Type-test reports per the relevant IS / IEC standards
- Lot test certificates with conductor resistance, insulation resistance, and dimensional verification
All documentation is issued at order stage; no separate fee or qualification process is required.
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BIS documentation, type-test reports, and project pricing — 24-hour response.