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The Burning Question

The Burning Question. The effects of fire on drainage systems in Industrial, Commercial & Public Buildings A presentation by Saint-Gobain Canalisation. Plastic materials & Fire.

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The Burning Question

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  1. The Burning Question The effects of fire on drainage systems in Industrial, Commercial & Public Buildings A presentation by Saint-Gobain Canalisation

  2. Plastic materials & Fire • Plastic drainage systems are destroyed in fire. HDPE, and Polypropelene drainage systems catch fire, and melt and drip molten plastic droplets down. • Risk of trapping occupants. • Causes Exposure to Toxic Fumes and sooty smog. (The biggest killer in first 30 mins of every fire) • The Fire brigade union supported Environmentalist’s Greenpeace promoting its danger

  3. Cast Iron & Fire • Cast Iron is Non-Combustible • Cast Iron cannot propagate fire

  4. Dusseldorf Airport fire scenes

  5. Fire case study • Fire at Dusseldorf airport caused the death of 16 people. • Plastic materials ignited by sparks from welders torch. • Toxic gases such as Hydrogen Chloride created • PVC had substantially contributed to the formation of these gases

  6. Understanding how different materials react under fire conditions

  7. Test Commission - IZEG • Association for cast iron pipe manufacturers in Germany. • Extensive Independent Test program • MPA North-Rhine Westphalia Laboratory. • Recognised and respected testing facility. RESULTS ARE DISTURBING AS ENLIGHTENING

  8. Materials tested • Cast iron pipes and fittings to EN877 • HDPE sanitary pipe system (DIN 19537) • Polypropylene/Mineral sanitary pipe system (DIN 19560) • Twin walled ABS/ASA/PVC-U Copolymer system sanitary pipe system (BS EN1329/BS4514) • All Intumescent Fire Collars as recommended by above material suppliers.

  9. The Purpose of the test • To demonstrate the effect of fire on Cast Iron and Plastic-based drainage systems. • Monitor their ability to CONTAIN the fire within the compartment • Establish if they stopped the fire spreading to other floors

  10. Graphic of three-floor test set-up Floor above Fire Compartment Fire collars Basement

  11. Fire test video

  12. So what conclusions do we draw from these tests? • The Intumescent fire collars were in-effective in protecting floors below the source of the fire • Risk of trapping occupants • Affects HDPE, PP, & Twin Walled ABS/ASA/PVC-U drainage materials • Cast iron being non-combustible did not propagate the fire to either floor

  13. Does fire resistance shape the choice of material for Building type?

  14. Buildings more than 3 storeys Fire protection becomes an increasingly important factor • Apartments, Flats • Hotels • Commercial Offices • Public Buildings: Prisons, Libraries, Galleries, Theatres

  15. Materials right for the Task Example : Hospital • Soil and waste floats collecting the low level waste discharge from individual sanitary appliances: Plastic-based systems are acceptable • The Main vertical stack and high level pipework, which extends through fire walls/floors: Cast iron should be used - Non Combustible WILL NOT SPREAD FIRE

  16. Why Cast Iron? • Strength and Durability “When its in its in!” • Flexibility – Mechanical system • Superior sound deadening qualities But most of all.. • Its fire safety

  17. Cast Iron The number one material for fire safety in Drainage systems

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