FR Wire vs FRLS Wire — What is the Difference?
Know Which Wire is Right — and Which is Mandatory — for Your Building
If you are building a house, office, or commercial space, you have probably seen both FR (Flame Retardant) and FRLS (Flame Retardant Low Smoke) wires in the market. They look identical from the outside, but they have very different fire safety properties — and using the wrong one in a commercial or public building can mean failing a fire safety inspection.
FR vs FRLS vs FRLSZH — Full Comparison
| Property | FR Wire | FRLS Wire | FRLSZH Wire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resists catching fire | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Low smoke emission | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Zero halogen (non-toxic) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Cost | Lowest | 5–10% more | Highest |
| Best For | Homes, villas | Commercial buildings | Hospitals, data centres |
⚠️ Why Smoke Matters More Than Fire
In most building fires, people do not die from flames — they die from smoke inhalation. FRLS wires release significantly less smoke than FR wires when burning, giving occupants more time to evacuate. This is why FRLS is now mandatory in public and commercial buildings under NBC 2016.
Buy FR & FRLS Wires from JSR Group, Gurgaon
+91-9311945078 | All sizes in stock | Delivery across Delhi NCR
