As broadband becomes the Fourth Utility, the demands on cabling infrastructure have never been greater. Fiber and data cables are packed into dense racks, trays, and plenums—especially in data centers, smart buildings, and transit systems. In these environments, flame retardance isn’t optional. It’s mission-critical.

That’s where Halguard® comes in.

At Teknor Apex, we developed Halgaurd to deliver the flame retardance, low smoke, and halogen-free performance required by today’s most demanding applications—without compromising durability or flexibility.

Low smoke, halogen-free, flame-retardant (LS HFFR) compounds are materials used in wire and cable jacketing that are formulated without halogen-containing additives such as chlorine or bromine. They are designed to limit flame spread and reduce smoke generation during fire conditions, while avoiding the release of corrosive halogen acid gases.

In cable applications, LS HFFR compounds are selected for environments where smoke visibility, equipment protection, and compliance with fire performance standards are important—such as data centers, buildings, and transportation infrastructure. By combining flame retardance with low-smoke and halogen-free characteristics, these materials support cable designs that meet evolving safety and regulatory requirements without compromising mechanical performance.

Halguard is a family of low-smoke, halogen-free flame-retardant (LS HFFR) compounds designed for cable jacketing and insulation in environments where both safety and performance are paramount.

It offers:

1. Compliance With a Broad Range of International Flame Tests (Riser, FT4, VW-1, CPR Class B/C)

2. Optimized Mechanical Performance

3. Softness for a More Flexible Cable

4. Ease of Extrusion Processing

These attributes make it a go-to choice for cable designers seeking a high-performance LS HFFR material.

One of Halguard's standout features is dimensional stability. In fiber optic cables, even small shrinkage during cooling can stress delicate fibers. Halguard® compounds are engineered to maintain jacket dimensions after extrusion, protecting sensitive fiber bundles and reducing risk of failure.

Halguard is used extensively in:

1. Fiber optic cable jacketing

2. Low-voltage and signal cables in commercial buildings

3. Mass transit and public safety systems

As smart infrastructure evolves, Halguard continues to meet new requirements for sustainability, safety, and scale.

Halogen-free, flame-retardant compounds are used in cable jacketing to reduce smoke generation and avoid the release of halogen-based acid gases during fire conditions. In halogenated materials, combustion can produce corrosive gases that may damage electronic equipment and contribute to reduced visibility. LS HFFR compounds are formulated without these additives, which helps limit corrosive byproducts and supports lower smoke density during combustion.

These characteristics are especially important in enclosed or high-density environments such as buildings, tunnels, data centers, and transportation systems, where visibility, equipment protection, and evacuation conditions are critical considerations. By reducing smoke and eliminating halogen-derived gases, halogen-free compounds support cable designs that align with modern flame retardance and regulatory requirements.

Fire safety standards define how cable jacketing materials are evaluated for flame spread, smoke generation, and overall fire performance. These standards are used globally to ensure cables meet the requirements for installation in buildings, data infrastructure, and transportation systems.

Commonly referenced standards include FT4 and VW-1, which evaluate flame propagation under controlled conditions, as well as European CPR classifications (Classes B and C) that assess heat release, flame spread, and smoke performance in cable systems. Additional UL and IEC standards are widely used to define material and cable-level fire performance across regions.

Meeting these standards is critical for cable designs used in high-density or enclosed environments, where controlled flame spread and reduced smoke are key considerations for installation requirements and regulatory compliance.

Safer Materials for the 4th Utility

The Fourth Utility needs materials that do more. With Halguard, you get:

1. Compliance and confidence in tough fire safety specs

2. Durability to match high-performance network demands

3. Support from Teknor Apex materials application and technical experts to fine-tune your formulations

From custom cable designs to large-scale fiber deployments, Halguard delivers reliable protection where it matters most.

👉 Download the Halguard® brochure for more applications and specifications.

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