Intumescent pipe wraps prevent the spread of fire through plastic pipes where they penetrate fire compartment floors and walls.
How do intumescent pipe wraps work?
Intumescent pipe wraps consist of high-performance intumescent, made from synthetic polymers and resin binders, for example, silicone or epoxy.
When it comes to service penetration sealing, intumescent maintains the compartmentation of a building by contributing to containing the fire to its area of origin for as long as possible.
In response to heat exposure, the intumescent expands, increasing in volume and decreasing in density. When the temperature approaches approximately 200°C, it forms a hard char that plugs the larger openings left behind by the melted services. This hard char prevents the smoke and fire from entering the next compartment.
Unlike other closure devices such as fire collars and fire sleeves, intumescent pipe wraps do not have a metal shell enclosing the intumescent. Therefore, they must be installed into a solid enough construction, for example, in concrete floors, or fire batt with the relevant specification.
The supporting construction works the same way as the metal shell by preventing the intumescent material from expanding outwards and containing the pressure in the space left behind by the melting services.
What form do intumescent pipe wraps come in?
Intumescent pipe wraps can be supplied in a size relevant to the length of a certain application/pipe diameter, or in a continuous wrap.
The main difference is that whereas traditional pipe wraps contain the intumescent material within a polythene cover and are supplied to suit specific pipe sizes, continuous intumescent wraps come as a roll and can be cut to length (depending on the number of layers required and the pipe diameter as stated on the relevant tested detail) on site.
Application and installation
When installing these products, extra work and associated costs can be avoided by early collaboration across all trades.
Cut-to-length pipe wraps are normally installed in floor details. They can be easily installed by wrapping them tight around the pipe, sliding into position and securing the ends together, typically using a self-adhesive tab.
If the drilled hole has the correct diameter, no shuttering will be required and only a small backfill on top. Installing the wrap in an oversized hole will require a shuttering to be installed around the pipe before backfilling with fire protection compound.
When installing a continuous intumescent wrap (typically in wall details, either directly or in fire batt), the number of layers needed will depend on the application.
Therefore, it is important that you engage early with the relevant manufacturer, check their tested scope of application, and utilise any guidance offered.
Intuwrap Intumescent Pipe Wrap and Continuous Intuwrap from Quelfire
Learn more about the features and benefits of our Intumescent Pipe Wrap and QuelCoil Continuous Intuwrap and the scope of application we have here at Quelfire.
