The effects of fire on drainage systems in The effects of fire on drainage systems in Industrial, Commercial & Public BuildingsIndustrial, Commercial & Public Buildings

A presentation by Saint-Gobain CanalisationA presentation by Saint-Gobain Canalisation

The Burning Question

Plastic materials & Fire

Plastic drainage systems are destroyed in fire. Plastic drainage systems are destroyed in fire. HDPE, and Polypropelene drainage systems catch HDPE, and Polypropelene drainage systems catch fire, and melt and drip molten plastic droplets fire, and melt and drip molten plastic droplets down.down.

Risk of trapping occupants.Risk of trapping occupants.

Causes Exposure to Toxic Fumes and sooty Causes Exposure to Toxic Fumes and sooty smog. (The biggest killer in first 30 mins of every smog. (The biggest killer in first 30 mins of every fire)fire)

The Fire brigade union supported The Fire brigade union supported Environmentalist’s Greenpeace promoting its Environmentalist’s Greenpeace promoting its dangerdanger

Cast Iron & Fire

Cast Iron is Non-CombustibleCast Iron is Non-Combustible

Cast Iron cannot propagate fireCast Iron cannot propagate fire

Dusseldorf Airport fire scenes

Fire case study

Fire at Dusseldorf airport caused the Fire at Dusseldorf airport caused the death of 16 people.death of 16 people.

Plastic materials ignited by sparks from Plastic materials ignited by sparks from welders torch.welders torch.

Toxic gases such as Hydrogen Chloride Toxic gases such as Hydrogen Chloride createdcreated

PVC had substantially contributed to the PVC had substantially contributed to the formation of these gasesformation of these gases

Understanding how different materials

react under fire conditions

Test Commission - IZEG

Association for cast iron pipe Association for cast iron pipe manufacturers in Germany.manufacturers in Germany.

Extensive Independent Test programExtensive Independent Test program

MPA North-Rhine Westphalia Laboratory.MPA North-Rhine Westphalia Laboratory.

Recognised and respected testing facility.Recognised and respected testing facility.

RESULTS ARE DISTURBING AS RESULTS ARE DISTURBING AS ENLIGHTENINGENLIGHTENING

Materials tested

Cast iron pipes and fittings to EN877Cast iron pipes and fittings to EN877

HDPE sanitary pipe system (DIN 19537)HDPE sanitary pipe system (DIN 19537)

Polypropylene/Mineral sanitary pipe system (DIN Polypropylene/Mineral sanitary pipe system (DIN 19560)19560)

Twin walled ABS/ASA/PVC-U Copolymer system Twin walled ABS/ASA/PVC-U Copolymer system sanitary pipe system (BS EN1329/BS4514)sanitary pipe system (BS EN1329/BS4514)

All Intumescent Fire Collars as recommended by All Intumescent Fire Collars as recommended by above material suppliers. above material suppliers.

The Purpose of the test

To demonstrate the effect of fire on Cast To demonstrate the effect of fire on Cast Iron and Plastic-based drainage systems.Iron and Plastic-based drainage systems.

Monitor their ability to Monitor their ability to CONTAINCONTAIN the fire the fire within the compartmentwithin the compartment

Establish if they stopped the fire Establish if they stopped the fire spreading to other floorsspreading to other floors

Graphic of three-floor test set-up

Fire Compartment

Basement

Floor above

Fire collars

Fire test video

So what conclusions do we draw from these tests?

The Intumescent fire collars were in-effective in The Intumescent fire collars were in-effective in protecting floors below the source of the fireprotecting floors below the source of the fire

Risk of trapping occupantsRisk of trapping occupants

Affects HDPE, PP, & Twin Walled ABS/ASA/PVC-U Affects HDPE, PP, & Twin Walled ABS/ASA/PVC-U drainage materialsdrainage materials

Cast iron being non-combustible did not Cast iron being non-combustible did not propagate the fire to either floorpropagate the fire to either floor

Does fire resistance shape the choice

of material for Building type?

Buildings more than 3 storeys

Fire protection becomes an increasingly Fire protection becomes an increasingly important factorimportant factor

Apartments, FlatsApartments, Flats

HotelsHotels

Commercial OfficesCommercial Offices

Public Buildings: Prisons, Libraries, Galleries, Theatres

Materials right for the TaskExample : HospitalExample : Hospital

Soil and waste floats collecting the low level Soil and waste floats collecting the low level waste discharge from individual sanitary waste discharge from individual sanitary appliances:appliances:

Plastic-based systems are acceptablePlastic-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

Why Cast Iron?

Strength and Durability “When its in its Strength and Durability “When its in its in!”in!”

Flexibility – Mechanical systemFlexibility – Mechanical system

Superior sound deadening qualitiesSuperior sound deadening qualities

But most of all..But most of all..

Its fire safetyIts fire safety

Cast IronThe number one The number one

material material for fire safety infor fire safety in

Drainage systemsDrainage systems