Blazemaster_Miconception: CPVC Fire Protection System

6 C O M M O N MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT

C P V C FIRE PROTECTION S Y S T E M S

Engineered for fire protection through groundbreaking R&D at Lubrizol - pioneers of the chlorinated polyvinyl chloride fire sprinkler system over 30 years ago - BlazeMaster® Pipe & Fittings technology continues to set the industry standard.

Although BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems have a proven track record of cost-effective and time-saving installations and retrofits, some installers and specifiers still have reservations about the durability and strength of CPVC. On using CPVC to complete an installation at a hotel, Malcolm Reade, Managing Director of AD Sprinklers, says “Used in the correct manner and in the correct building, BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems are an excellent product and brand. CPVC is going to be a ‘big grower’ in the industry, and in residential projects it will become the best option. Still people in the industry question how CPVC can be used in a fire sprinkler system.

Although I’ve seen footage of CPVC piping working after 20-minutes exposure to a blowtorch, others aren’t so sure.”

This slide deck has been created to give you the most common misconceptions held over CPVC fire protection systems - and reasons why these myths should be extinguished.

If you have any questions regarding installing CPVC fire protection systems into your next residential or retrofit project, get in touch with our expert team.

GET IN TOUCH

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THE RISE OF CPVC CPVC, or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, was commercialised by Lubrizol over 50 years ago. Since its launch as BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems in 1984, it has become an advantageous alternative material to steel in fire sprinkler systems:

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BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems have established a proven track record of reliable performance

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600 million metres of BlazeMaster Fire Protection piping systems have been installed

Over 60 countries have approved and used CPVC

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS Despite these facts, some installers, specifiers, builders and architects still hold misconceptions of CPVC, that aren’t true. Here’s just some statements that are said about CPVC: “It’s expensive to buy and hard to install”

“It's extremely susceptible to failure”

“It’s not as safe as steel”

“It won’t perform as well as steel in an emergency”

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“It’s difficult to install”

“CPVC will surely melt in a fire?”

“It’s not approved by industry bodies”

“I can’t guarantee it will continue to perform well over time”

“CPVC is bad for the environment”

BANISH YOUR MISCONCEPTIONS It isn’t uncommon in the industry to have these misconceptions about CPVC. That is why this slide deck has been created - to give you the truth about CPVC, allowing you to make an informed decision on your next installation.

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MISCONCEPTION 1

“CPVC IS TOO EXPENSIVE”

THE TRUTH With a lightweight fabrication and easy joining system, BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems requires: •

Reduced installation time - saving on costs of labour

•

No additional tooling - saving money on hire and maintenance

•

Lower life-cycle costs - saving on long-term maintenance costs

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MISCONCEPTION 1

“CPVC IS TOO EXPENSIVE”

THE TRUTH A recent study found that using BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems for retrofit in a 40-bed care home, would take: Fewer than half the installation hours (only 640 vs 1320) generating a significant saving in project cost

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MISCONCEPTION 2

“IT W O N ’ T P E R F O R M AS WELL AS STEEL”

THE TRUTH BlazeMaster CPVC piping systems offer superior hydraulics compared to steel, that: •

Yield maximum flow of water for extended sprinkler head coverage

•

Achieve C-factor of 150 for hydraulic capabilities

•

Do not corrode over time, unlike steel

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MISCONCEPTION 2

“IT W O N’ T P E R F O R M AS WELL AS STEEL”

THE TRUTH As steel piping corrodes, water flow levels drop.

BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems, however, keep the piping system ready for an emergency by:

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•

Preventing scaling and corrosion for more than 50 years of service life

•

Providing natural immunity to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).

MISCONCEPTION 3

“CPVC IS BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT”

THE TRUTH

E N V I R O N M E N TA L P E R F O R M A N C E G A P Protection Systems

According to a 2011 ISO-compliant, peer-reviewed life-cycle assessment, BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems outperform steel in 12 out of 13 environmental categories, including: •

Climate change impact

•

Metal depletion

•

Energy consumption

100

50

0 See the full life-cycle assessment document

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MISCONCEPTION 3

“CPVC IS BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT”

THE TRUTH This means that BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems have half the climate change impact compared to steel, doing our part to keep the environment healthier for longer.

“BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems emerged as a much stronger choice for an environmentally friendly fire sprinkler solution” - MICHAEL COLLINS, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR E N V I RO N ME N TAL RESOURCES M A N A G E M E N T

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MISCONCEPTION 4

“IT’S N O T APPRO VED BY I NDUSTRY BODI ES”

THE TRUTH BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems have long been an approved solution in the UK for all of your retrofitting and residential fire sprinkler requirements. As well as being listed

by UL and FM, they also meet:

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•

NFPA 13 - The benchmark for design and installation of automatic fire protection systems.

•

BS9251 - The main British Standard covering fire sprinklers in the UK.

•

BS EN 12845

- The classification of hazards and provision of water supplies.

MISCONCEPTION 4

“IT’S N O T APPRO VED BY INDUSTRY BODIES”

THE TRUTH As well as being approved by industry bodies, BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems have also been granted permission in Wales to be used across:

S I N G L E FA M I LY RESIDENCIES

M U LT I O C C U PANCY

RETROFIT PROJECTS

Proof that BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems are a viable solution for installers and specifiers 13 of 19

MISCONCEPTION 5

“ I T ’ S H A R D T O I N S TA L L ”

THE TRUTH BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems can be installed with a quick and simple one-step joining system, which: •

Eliminates the need for torches or heat-fusion techniques

•

Eliminates the need for electricity to install

•

Eliminates the need for pre-fabrication

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MISCONCEPTION 5

“ I T ’ S H A R D T O I N S TA L L ”

THE TRUTH Not only does CPVC piping offer an easier installation as a result, it also:

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•

Offers a cleaner and quieter installation

•

Does not require the building to be abandoned

•

Minimises disturbance to tenants during retrofit installations

•

Reduces installation time, and therefore costs, compared to steel

•

Is lightweight meaning installations in hard-to-reach areas is much easier

MISCONCEPTION 6

“ C P V C W I L L S U R E LY M E LT I N A F I R E ”

THE TRUTH BlazeMaster CPVC piping has achieved the best possible fire protection classification of a non-metal material, which is Bs1d0: •

Fire behaviour: B = low flammability, no contribution to flashover

•

Smoke development: s1 = low smoke development

•

Flaming droplets: d0 = no burning drops

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MISCONCEPTION 6

“ C P V C W I L L S U R E LY M E LT I N A F I R E ”

THE TRUTH During a UL test, a fire plume between 370°C and 483°C came in direct contact with BlazeMaster CPVC piping for 10 minutes.

BlazeMaster’s CPVC piping forms a charring layer on the outside of the pipe, which then functions as a thermal barrier that reduces the conduction of heat. Water flowing through the pipe will also cool the inside, further reducing the rate of burning.

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PROVIDING YOU THE REASSURANCE YOU NEED Whether you’re an installer, specifier, builder or architect, we’d like to know if you think you hold any other misconceptions about CPVC. Remember, not all orange pipe is the same. If you’re looking for reliability for life, choose BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems.

Our UK and European BlazeMaster Pipe & Fittings representatives are available to speak with you about any questions you may have about BlazeMaster CPVC, or your next fire protection requirements.

ARRANGE A FREE CALL

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Visit our website or call +44(0)7710 372281 to learn more. ŠThe Lubrizol Corporation 2017, all rights reserved.

All marks are property of The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway Company.

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