Halogen-free OBO products

Halogen-free products from OBO protect people, the environment and property. These products are made from high-quality PC/ABS (polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). This material is one of the self-extinguishing plastics.

Dangerous smoke gases from plastics

Plastics have good insulating properties and can be processed easily. However, during a fire, they can create aggressive gases. A danger to people and property. Flame-retardant agents, based on halogen compounds such as fluorine, iodine, chlorine and bromine, are used to keep the flammability of PVC low. If there is a fire, this safety aspect becomes a dangerous disadvantage, as toxic smoke gases, such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, are created. These usually endanger people far more quickly than flames and heat. For example, in the fire catastrophe at Düsseldorf Airport in 1996 and in the Tauern Tunnel in 1999, considerable quantities of burned plastics contributed to the formation of smoke and hazardous substances. A highly toxic mixture, which can be lethal after just a few breaths.

Corrosive fire gases

PVC releases corrosive hydrogen chloride gas, which, in conjunction with water, forms hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid has a highly caustic effect on the respiratory channels. As an electrically conductive substance, it can cause short circuits and destroy devices. Further corrosive combustion gas products are cyanide and ammonia. In addition, extremely toxic dioxins can damage the building to such an extent that the reconstruction of parts of the building becomes very expensive or even impossible.

The German Association of Property Insurers also prescribes halogen-free materials for building areas in which many people meet. The term “halogen-free” excludes any organic chlorine or bromine compounds.