House wires of the same size can behave very differently in a fire. The difference is the grade of the insulation. Here is how the common grades compare and how to choose.
| Grade | Flame | Smoke | Halogen / acid gas | Best for | APAR product |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR | Flame retardant | Normal | Present | Basic / budget circuits | Shakti FR-PVC |
| FRLS | Flame retardant | Low smoke | Reduced | Better everyday safety | Shakti FR-LSH |
| HR-FR-LSH | Flame retardant + heat resistant | Low smoke | Low | Modern homes, premium | Anushakti HR-FR-LSH |
| HFFR / EBXL | Flame retardant, high temperature | Very low smoke | Zero halogen | Hospitals, high-rises, schools, premium homes | Anushakti Fire Protekt |
How to choose
- Crowded or hard-to-evacuate buildings (high-rises, hospitals, schools, malls) – choose HFFR / zero-halogen. In a fire, low smoke and no toxic halogen gas save lives and protect electronics.
- Modern homes – HR-FR-LSH or HFFR is the safe, future-proof choice and now the norm for quality builds.
- Budget circuits – FR or FRLS at minimum; avoid plain non-FR wire in concealed conduits.
Smoke is what kills in most electrical fires, not flame. A low-smoke, halogen-free grade buys vital escape time – which is why it is worth the small extra cost.
Exact grade properties and temperature ratings vary by product – confirm against the APAR datasheet.