A New Breed of Halogen-Free Category Cable General Cable 2010

Agenda What is LEED? Why focus on green? What defines a “green” cable? What are halogens? Effects of halogens on the environment and humans Why are halogens used in category cables? A new breed of halogen free cables FAQ

What is LEED? LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. LEED promotes integrated, entire building design and construction practices and encourages awareness of various green building benefits. LEED recognizes performance in six key areas of human and environmental health: –Sustainable Site Development –Water Efficency –Energy and Atmosphere –Materials and Resources –Indoor Environmental Quality –Innovation & Design Process + Regional Priority Credits Source: USGBC

What is LEED? LEED-certified buildings are designed to: Lower operating costs and increase asset value. Reduce waste sent to landfills. Conserve energy and water. Be healthier and safer for occupants. Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities. Demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Source: USGBC

Why Focus on “Green?”

LEED Point System LEED 2009 rating systems –100-point scale –10 additional points for regional priorities

LEED Point Opportunities for Wire and Cable LEED Pilot Credit 2: PBT Source Reduction: Dioxins and Halogenated Organic Compounds –Aimed at reducing PBTs (persistent bio-accumulative toxic chemicals), associated with the life cycle of building materials, including electrical wiring and cable jacketing –Use materials manufactured without added halogenated organic compounds1 for at least 75% (by cost) of the material totals in a minimum of three of the following four groups: Exterior components (including at a minimum, roof membranes, waterproofing membranes, window and door frames, siding). Interior finishes (including at a minimum, flooring, base, ceiling tiles, wall coverings, and window treatments). Piping, conduit and electrical boxes. Building-installed electrical cable and wire jacketing * Source: USGBC. Please see LEED Pilot credit for complete details.

LEED Point Opportunities for Wire and Cable Innovation and Design –To provide design teams and projects the opportunity to be awarded points for exceptional performance above the requirements set by the LEED Green Building Rating System and/or innovative performance in Green Building categories not specifically addressed by the LEED Green Building Rating System. –Point available for LEED accredited professional Materials and Resources (where applicable) –MR 5 Regional Materials – Distance between project and final manufacturing location (500 miles) * Source: USGBC. Please see LEED credit library for complete details.

What are Halogens?

Halogens –Group 17 on the Periodic Table Chlorine, Fluorine, Bromine, Iodine, Astatine –Highly Reactive Produces bio-accumulative and toxic chemicals Fire – hydrogen chloride/fluoride/ bromide/iodide –Water – hydrochloric/flouric/bromic/iodic acids All of which can be considered toxic to the environment and humans in sufficient quantities

What are Halogens? Persistent Bio-Accumulative and Toxic Chemicals –PBT pollutants are chemicals that are toxic, persist in the environment and bio-accumulate in food chains and, thus, pose risks to human health and ecosystems. The biggest concerns about PBTs are that they transfer rather easily among air, water, and land, and span boundaries of programs, geography, and generations. Source: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Effects of Halogens Environmental Example –Chlorine exposed to hydrogen in a fire Hydrogen Chloride: Toxic, corrosive, colorless gas –Attacks metals & limestone resulting in corrosion to buildings, monuments, and natural rock forms –Contributes to acid rain, resulting in pollutants being transported throughout the atmosphere In the upper atmosphere, chlorine-containing molecules have been implicated in the destruction of the ozone layer.

Effects of Halogens Human Example –Chlorine exposed to hydrogen in a fire Hydrogen Chloride: Toxic, corrosive, colorless gas –Irritating and corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes –Exposure to higher levels can result in narrowing of the bronchioles and accumulation of fluid in the lungs, which can result in death.

Why are Halogens Used in Category Cables? Materials that contain halogens –PVC, CPE, Neoprene, FEP, and flame retardants are commonly used because they are durable, resistant to fire, and relatively inexpensive CompoundUse Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Jacket (CMR & CMP) Fluoropolymers (FEP)Plenum (CMP) Insulation Flame retardantsCross-web members, insulating materials, and jackets

What defines Green for Data communication cables? ?RoHS – Restriction of hazardous substances (European standard) ?Recycled Material – copper, packaging (Cardboard, plastic) ?Reduced Material – scrap reduction, smaller diameter cable These are all environmentally responsible, but what makes the cable itself green?

GenSPEED ® 17 FREE ™ CMR rated cable uses a halogen free jacketing compound to replace the traditional PVC jacketing compound Halogen-free & UL Rated Reduced Toxicity More environmentally friendly Increased flexibility over European LSZH products for easy installation Introducing 17 FREE ™ : A New Breed of Halogen-Free Cables

Benefits of a Halogen Free Cable

Traditional Category 5e CMR Cat 5e CMR – 17 FREE ™ UL 1666 CMR Rated Meets Cat 5e Electrical Requirements Meets UL 444 Physical Requirements Cold Bend Failure Temperature (°C) * 17 FREE ™ CMR cables are electrically and physically equivalent to traditional cable *17 Free has improved cold bend characteristics

Acidity Indicator Test

IEC Halogen Acid Gas Evolution Testing The closer the pH value is to zero, the more acidic

Benefits of a Halogen Free Cable

Additional Points to Ponder Abandoned cable –The NEC defines abandoned cable as installed cable that is not terminated at both ends at equipment other than a connector and not identified for future use –Hidden fire hazard with environmental/human impact “A plenum that is packed with cabling can create the same fuel load as gasoline, says John Michlovic, manager of technical services and marketing for H.H. Robertson Floor Systems. But fire is not the only problem. The plastics also release toxic smoke in a fire. The fire doesn’t necessarily ignite the cabling jackets immediately, but the heat can cause it to release clear or white gases that are nearly undetectable. These gases can be blinding or halt the respiratory system.” Source: facilitiesnet.com, Hidden Fire Hazard: Abandoned Cable, By Rita Tatum, January 2007

FAQ Why not just use low-smoke, zero-halogen cable? –LSZH is a European standard that is not listed as a UL 1666 CMR or NFPA 262 CMP ratings. –Typically, LSZH category cables are more expensive and difficult to work with. The compound that produces the low-smoke attribute tends to be stiff and adds to the cost increase of approximately 30-40%.

FAQ Can a product be LEED certifed? –No. The USGBC does not certify products. Thus, if you buy 17 Free cable, you will not necessarily get a LEED credit. It is simply a halogen free cable that should be helpful towards the LEED Pilot Credit 2, Innovation Credit, or Materials & Resource. Consult a LEED AP for complete information. What are the opportunities beyond the USGBC and LEED? –There are several organizations that encourage green building and the reduction of harmful substances in building products (ex. ASHRAE, CALGreen). Additionally, many companies aim to be green without requiring certification.

Questions?