In modern public infrastructure, telephone systems not only provide communication services but also play a vital role in public safety and emergency response. In high-traffic or industrial environments such as subways, train stations, airports, and factories, telephone equipment is vulnerable to threats such as vandalism, severe weather, and fire. To ensure long-term, reliable operation, vandal-resistant telephones are becoming standard equipment in public communication facilities. Their safety certification and fire-retardant properties are key considerations in design and procurement.

Vandal-resistant telephones, literally translated as vandal-resistant, refer to telephone equipment designed for public environments with resistance to vandalism, impact, water, dust, and fire. Their safety certification primarily covers the following aspects:

• Vandal Resistance

  The housing of a vandal-resistant telephone is typically made of high-strength metal or engineered plastic, capable of withstanding external impact, blows, and prying. Commonly used international certification standards include the IK rating (IEC 62262), which assesses a device's resistance to mechanical impact. For example, an IK10 rating can withstand a 5 kg impact from a height of 40 cm without damage.

• Fire Retardant Materials

  Telephone equipment must maintain a certain level of structural integrity in the presence of fire or high temperatures to prevent the spread of flames or the release of hazardous gases. International standards such as UL94 and IEC 60695 specify the flammability ratings of plastics and composite materials. Vandal-resistant telephones often use flame-retardant ABS, polycarbonate (PC), or metal casings and undergo rigorous flame retardancy testing to ensure they will not become a source of ignition in the initial stages of a fire.

• Ingress Protection (IP)

  Public telephone equipment is often installed outdoors or in industrial environments and requires protection from water and dust. The IP rating standard (IEC 60529) measures the device's protective properties. For example, an IP65 rating means the device is completely dustproof and can withstand water jets.

• Electrical Safety Certification

  In addition to mechanical and material performance, equipment must also comply with international electrical safety standards, such as CE (Europe), FCC (US), and RoHS (RoHS Directive), to ensure that electric shock or short circuit accidents do not occur during emergency communications.

In public safety environments, telephone equipment must not only be tamper-resistant but also maintain functional and structural safety in the event of a fire. Fire-retardant materials offer the following advantages:

• Delaying the spread of flame: Flame-retardant materials self-extinguish after the fire source is removed, reducing the risk of secondary fires.

• Reducing the release of harmful gases: High-quality flame-retardant materials do not release large amounts of toxic gases during combustion, protecting users.

• Extending equipment life: Flame-retardant properties are often accompanied by high-temperature resistance, ensuring long-term stable operation of telephone equipment in high-temperature environments.

Guided by international standards, manufacturers typically select materials that meet UL94 V-0 rating or higher, meaning they self-extinguish within 10 seconds of ignition and that burning drips will not cause secondary combustion.