Citation

Blais MS, Middleton N. Fire Technol. 2018; 54(5): 1309-1329.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10694-018-0732-0

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A series of tests was performed to elucidate the impact of the mounting methods on the performance of chlorinated poly vinyl chloride (CPVC) pipe in accordance with International Maritime Organization Fire Test Procedures Annex 1 Part 5. Also assessed, was the determination whether the current practice in type approval for the certification of all CPVC pipe sizes between smallest diameters, thinnest pipe tested and largest diameters, thickest pipe tested is a valid practice. Whole diameter pipe and pipe cut in half longitudinally were tested in the Lateral Ignition and Flame-Spread Test apparatus to determine if the different configurations of the pipe induced variability. A total of 42 tests were performed to look at sizes 12.7-mm copper tube size (CTS) through 38.1-mm Schedule 80 CPVC pipes. The following factors produced statistically different data at the 99% confidence limit: longitudinally half cut, versus whole, of the same pipe size and type, and thickness of the pipe for both total heat release and peak heat release rate (PHRR). Thickness is important with thicker pipe performing better in the testing. Whole pipe of the thinner material, CTS, versus the same pipe produced from longitudinally cut pipe, increased the heat produced significantly by holding the pipe in the combustion zone longer. Thin cut pipe appeared to melt and char, and fall out of the sample holder and the combustion zone, effectively reducing the mass consumed and energy produced. For Schedule 40 pipe of whole smaller pipe diameters, 12.7 mm, performed significantly better for both PHRR and total heat release than the longitudinally cut pipe. For diameters of 19.1 and 38.1-mm Schedule 40, the same trend was noted with the whole pipe performing significantly better. Thicker materials, such as Schedule 80, develop a thick char layer that stayed in place reducing combustion of CPVC.

Language: en

Keywords

CPVC; IMO Part 5; Mounting methods