The security tenants will want

Low Fire Hazard cables are a seal of quality for fire safety. Tenants will appreciate that.  

According to the Green Building Council, tenants expect ‘measures that contribute to the environmental, social and economic sustainability of buildings and premises’. Contractors and building owners who can document this show that they are investing in quality and a long-term approach. 

According to a survey by DNB (2024), 70 per cent of real estate companies expect ‘a green renovation wave’. They predict that the winners in tomorrow's property market will care about environmentally friendly and future-oriented solutions.

Reputation-building for the tenant 

The building owner or landlord has primary responsibility for fire safety in the building. This includes choosing solutions that reduce the risk of fire and damage to people and property. According to TEK17, fire safety must be assessed holistically in construction projects.  

Around one in five building fires start in electrical equipment. Preventive fire safety measures are important to reduce both risk and financial losses for the tenant, as well as the landlord. 

Investing in safety measures makes rental properties more attractive to companies, public organisations, authorities and private individuals. It can make it easier for tenants to fulfil their responsibility for fire safety in their own premises, especially when it comes to the installation, maintenance and use of electrical equipment.  

- ‘Companies that choose buildings with good fire safety and environmentally sound solutions take social responsibility and show that they care about their employees, residents or other users of the building,’ says Blomsnes.

Greater expectations for fire safety 

Cables with the plastic type PVC are one of the most commonly used cable types in buildings. When these cables catch fire, they produce thick black smoke and exhaust gases that can jeopardise life and health. The smoke makes it difficult to find escape routes and evacuate quickly. According to the Norwegian Health Information Centre, smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death in fires. When a fire breaks out, only a few minutes can make the difference between life and death. 
 
The corrosive gases that these cables produce can do great damage to electronics, installations and building materials. When such materials burn, they leave behind fire debris that can be an environmental pollutant. Major damage to property can lead to large replacement costs, extensive rehabilitation and long downtime for the building. Measures that protect assets and people preserve the life of the building and its fixtures and fittings. 

Low Fire Hazard and low-smoke cables are a more fire-safe alternative - both for people and property. Replacing cables with PVC is also a good way to reduce the building's total amount of PVC. 

- When Low Fire Hazard cables catch fire, they release only a thin and light smoke. This simplifies evacuation and reduces the risk of smoke poisoning. Low Fire Hazard cables produce very small amounts of corrosive gases and protect property to a greater extent,’ says Blomsnes. 

More and more Norwegian buildings are now being fitted with halogen-free alternatives. All indications are that this will be a market demand in the years to come. 

- The demand for future-oriented buildings with a long service life will only increase. If you want a building to last for 50-60 years, you should choose safe and fireproof solutions now,’ says Torbjørn Blomsnes of Nexans Langhus. 

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