FOCUS
Disruptive technology
times, as well as lower labour and equipment costs. CPVC pipes and fittings are a welcome relief for an installer, as only hand tools are required to fit the lightweight piping and complete a project. Of course, even the most well structured
project can go awry somewhere down the line and in this case, CPVC is able to tackle such challenges as it is considerably adaptable to change during an installation. One such example is an installation at a school in Hampshire. Fire safety officials at the school wanted the most secure and cost effective fire protection, but when the job faced intimidating complications, the CPVC fire sprinkler system chosen allowed installers to stay on budget and meet their deadlines (see case study on page 25).
Ease of installation
CPVC piping is installed with a quick and simple, one step joining system that eliminates the need for heat fusion techniques traditionally used in steel installations, and it is lightweight and flexible enough to get to hard to reach areas. For a standard DN25 pipe, CPVC weighs 0.390 kilograms per metre when empty. In comparison, steel systems can weigh 2.440 kilograms for the same measurement when empty. CPVC fire sprinkler systems do not require
buildings to be vacated and enable quieter installation without the need for electrical
tools, which makes them an ideal retrofit solution for residential care homes, schools and tower blocks.
Flame resistance
A common misconception is that, because CPVC it is a type of thermoplastic, it will melt in a fire. This myth was extinguished by previous Underwriters Laboratories (UL) tests on the piping. One test involved a fire that reached 870°C and a fire plume of between 370°C and 483°C that came into direct contact with the joint and fitting of the pipe for 40 minutes. During the burn test, the piping formed a charred layer on the outside of the pipe, which functioned as a barrier that reduced heat conduction. This enabled water to flow through the pipe, with the sprinkler head activating after approximately one minute and continuing to run throughout the test. So, what is the formula that enables CPVC
piping to function the way it does during a blaze? In the 1980s, the formula for CPVC was created by reacting additional chlorine with the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer. While PVC contains approximately 57% total chlorine, CPVC contains approximately 67%. This additional chlorine is what gives it such a unique performance against direct flame for long periods of time, without sustaining combustion or burning.
26 FEBRUARY 2018
www.frmjournal.com
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