Halogen-free corrugated pipes vs PVC: what you should know

At Glob-el, we design and manufacture electrical installation products for customers across Europe. One question we hear more and more from wholesalers is simple: should customers still choose PVC conduit, or move to halogen-free corrugated pipes?

The answer matters more than it might seem. A conduit’s material affects how an installation behaves in a fire, and regulations like NEK 400:2026, which made halogen-free cables the norm in Norway, are getting more frequent. In this guide, we explain what separates the two materials, why we believe halogen-free is the better choice for most modern installations, and where PVC can still have a place.

 

What are halogen-free and PVC corrugated pipes?

Corrugated pipes protect cables from mechanical damage and give them a route through walls, ceilings and floors. Their ribbed construction makes them flexible enough to bend around obstacles without extra fittings.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) has long been the default material. It is a chlorine-based plastic, and chlorine is a halogen.

Halogen-free corrugated pipes are made from polymers without chlorine, bromine or other halogens. Our own pipes are made from polypropylene (PP). On datasheets, you will see several related labels:

• LSZH / LS0H: low smoke, zero halogen.
• HFFR: halogen-free flame retardant.
• LSF0H: low smoke, flame retardant, zero halogen. This is the designation we use for our halogen-free pipes.

 

Key differences: why choose halogen-free?

The fundamental difference is chemistry, and it shows up when things go wrong. When PVC burns, it can release dense black smoke and hydrogen chloride gas, which forms corrosive hydrochloric acid on contact with moisture. Halogen-free materials do not contain the chlorine that produces these acid gases.

For your customers, that translates into four clear benefits:

• Safer escape. Smoke rather than flames is often the greatest danger to people in a fire. Low-smoke materials help keep escape routes usable.
• Less damage to equipment. Without halogen acid gases, there is no hydrochloric acid to corrode electronics, machinery and metal components.
• Easier rescue and recovery. Less smoke and corrosion make firefighting easier and can reduce clean-up and downtime after a fire.
• A consistent installation. Halogen-free conduit matches the halogen-free cables now required under regulations like NEK 400:2026.

Comparison factor	Halogen-free (LSZH/HFFR)	Conventional PVC
Material	Halogen-free polymers, e.g. polypropylene	Polyvinyl chloride, contains chlorine
Acid gases in fire	No halogen acid gases from the base material	Can release corrosive hydrogen chloride
Smoke	Low smoke where tested and declared	Can be dense and black
Risk to electronics	Low corrosion risk from fire gases	Acid gases can corrode equipment
Flexibility and handling	Depends on wall design, diameter and inner layer	Depends on wall design, diameter and inner layer
Cost	Compare the specified product, not the category	Often competitive where it meets requirements

It is important to note that halogen-free does not mean fireproof or non-combustible, and products differ in flame and smoke performance. That is why we recommend choosing products backed by test documentation.

 

NEK 400:2026: what changes in Norway?

NEK 400:2026 applies to the design and execution of low-voltage installations from 1 July 2026, with an extension period ending 31^st December, 2026 (DSB). Its headline change concerns cables: installation cables and insulated conductors must, as a general rule, meet at least CPR fire class Dca-s2,d2,a1. In practice, PVC-insulated cables and conductors can no longer be used, with few exceptions such as cable buried or cast into non-combustible material like concrete.

The change also places Norway firmly within a wider European framework. CPR fire classes are common across the EU and EEA, while each country sets its own minimum levels. With Dca-s2,d2,a1 as the general rule, Norway is now in line with the Dca-s2,d2 level already used for many building types in Sweden. The industry describes the update as a significant step for both fire and electrical safety, and part of a clear market shift from PVC to halogen-free solutions.

The requirement applies to cables, not to conduit, so PVC corrugated pipes are not prohibited. However, the direction is clear. As customers rebuild their installations around halogen-free cables, halogen-free conduit is the logical next step. For pre-wired pipes, remember that the conductors inside are cables and must meet the required fire class.

 

Installation and durability: what to check

Flexibility and strength depend on the pipe’s design rather than its material label alone. When comparing products, we recommend checking compression and impact ratings, working temperature range, UV resistance for exposed runs, and practical features such as wire pullers or an inner layer for easier threading. Our pipes are designed with all of these in mind, as the specifications below show.

 

Where each option fits

Halogen-free corrugated pipes are the natural choice wherever people gather or rely on sensitive equipment: schools, hospitals, offices, public buildings, escape routes, data rooms and technical spaces. They are also essential on any project with a halogen-free specification. PVC may still be acceptable where it is permitted, where its properties meet the installation requirements and where the project has no halogen-free specification.

 

Glob-el’s halogen-free corrugated pipes

Our halogen-free corrugated pipes are made from LSF0H polypropylene and are self-extinguishing. They are designed to EN 61386-1 and EN 61386-22 and certified by Intertek Semko with the S mark. The range includes:

• diameters of 16, 20, 25, 32, 40 and 50 mm;
• black, blue, grey, red and white;
• 25, 50 and 100 m rolls;
• empty, with wire puller or prewired, with an optional inner layer for easier threading;
• compression strength up to 1,000 N and a working temperature of −5 °C to +90 °C;
• a UV-resistant range for outdoor use, with co-extrusion available.

Our production is supported by ISO 9001 quality and ISO 14001 environmental management, and the pipes comply with REACH and RoHS. Through our European hub in Klaipėda, Lithuania, we offer 3–5 day delivery across Europe, and we can supply wholesalers under their own brand with private label and custom packaging.

 

Choosing the right corrugated pipe

PVC contains chlorine; halogen-free materials do not. That single difference shapes how much smoke and corrosive gas a conduit adds to a fire. With NEK 400:2026 making halogen-free cables the norm in Norway, we believe halogen-free corrugated pipes are the right default for most new installations, backed by verified test documentation.

Browse our product catalogue to see the full corrugated pipe options and contact our team to discuss your requirements, technical questions or pricing.