IS 17048:2018 — Halogen-free flame-retardant (HFFR / ZHFR) cable standard
What is IS 17048:2018?
IS 17048:2018 — Elastomeric and thermoplastic-insulated cables for rated voltages up to and including 1100 V for use in buildings — is the Bureau of Indian Standards specification for halogen-free flame-retardant cables. It was first published in 2018 and aligns with IEC 60502 and IEC 60332 series test methods adapted for the Indian regulatory framework.
Cables to IS 17048:2018 are marketed under several trade names: HFFR (halogen-free flame-retardant), ZHFR (zero-halogen flame-retardant), LSZH (low-smoke zero-halogen) — all refer to the same class of cable when BIS-licensed under IS 17048:2018.
Scope: what products does IS 17048:2018 cover?
- Single-core and multi-core halogen-free cables, 0.5 mm² to 630 mm²
- Conductor classes: Class 1 (solid), Class 2 (stranded), Class 5 (flexible)
- Voltage rating: up to 1100 V AC
- Insulation: thermoplastic halogen-free compound (HFFR) or cross-linked halogen-free (XLHFFR)
- Sheath: halogen-free outer jacket (HCl ≤ 0.5% by mass)
HFFR vs FR-LSH — critical distinction
| Property | FR-LSH (IS 694:2010) | HFFR / ZHFR (IS 17048:2018) |
|---|---|---|
| HCl acid-gas limit | ≤ 15% by mass | ≤ 0.5% by mass |
| Smoke density | Light transmittance ≥ 60% | Light transmittance ≥ 60% (same test) |
| Insulation compound | PVC (contains chlorine) | Halogen-free thermoplastic or XLPE |
| Toxicity | Lower but measurable HCl | Near-zero HCl — suitable for occupied evacuation routes |
| Standard | IS 694:2010 | IS 17048:2018 |
| BIS ISI mark required | Yes | Yes |
| NBC 2016 mandate | G+3 and above (FR-LSH variant) | G+4+, hospitals, metro, airports |
NBC 2016 applicability
NBC 2016 Part 4 — Fire and Life Safety — and Part 8 — Electrical Installations — specify the following cable tiers:
- Hospitals, healthcare facilities (all stories): IS 17048:2018 (HFFR) mandatory for internal wiring and patient-area circuits.
- G+4 and above residential/commercial high-rise: IS 17048:2018 or IS 694:2010 FR-LSH — project fire-safety consultant specifies based on occupancy classification.
- Metro rail, airports, underground structures: IS 17048:2018 mandatory per the respective authority's technical specification (DMRC, AAI, etc.).
- Public assembly buildings > 200 persons: IS 17048:2018 typically mandated — verify the applicable fire-safety standard with the project consultant.
Key test methods under IS 17048:2018
| Test | Method / limit |
|---|---|
| Halogen content (HCl + HBr) | ≤ 0.5% by mass per IS 10810 Part 62 / IEC 60684-2 §38 |
| Smoke density | Light transmittance ≥ 60% per IS 10810 Part 63 / IEC 61034-2 |
| Flame propagation (single cable) | IEC 60332-1 (self-extinguishing within 60 s) |
| Flame propagation (bundle) | IEC 60332-3 Category C for standard installations |
| Insulation resistance | Minimum volume resistivity ≥ 10¹⁴ Ω·cm at 20 °C |
| Heat distortion (sheath) | Max elongation 15% at 80 °C per IEC 60811-507 |
Important: FR ≠ Fire Survival
IS 17048:2018 (HFFR) and IS 694:2010 (FR/FR-LSH) both describe Reaction to Fire — how the cable behaves when burning. Neither standard covers Circuit Integrity (Fire Survival) — whether the cable continues to carry power during a fire. Fire Survival cables (for emergency lighting, fire pumps, fire alarms) are a separate product class governed by IEC 60331 / BS 6387 / IS 16733.
Specifying HFFR cable as "fire survival" is an error that MEP engineers are professionally liable for.
BIS CM/L verification
IS 17048:2018 requires a separate BIS CM/L from IS 694:2010 — a manufacturer's IS 694 licence does not cover IS 17048 production. Verify at manakonline.in ↗. All seven manufacturers tracked on CablePriceIndia hold IS 17048:2018 licences — CM/L numbers for IS 17048 are listed on each brand's detail page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between HFFR, ZHFR, and LSZH cable?
Is IS 17048:2018 required for all high-rise buildings?
Can IS 17048:2018 cable be used as fire-survival cable?
What is the price premium for HFFR over FR cable?
Updated weekly by the cablepriceindia.com price-research desk. Last verified: 1 July 2026. Sources cited inline. We are an independent price-discovery service. Verify any BIS Conformity Marking Licence (CM/L) at bis.gov.in.