As interest in concrete tower block fire sprinkler system retrofits increases across the nation, there remains a backlog of projects. Sadly, this is primarily in direct response to the Grenfell Tower Fire as owners and local housing authorities react to resident demands. It’s difficult to believe that it’s been two years since this tragedy occurred.
But as some projects are planned out for as long as five years in the future due to budgets issues and the lack of qualified installers, it also provides some time for designers and specifiers to do their homework and plan properly. The key here: providing the maximum safety measures possible while remaining within a reasonable budget.
BlazeMaster® CPVC offers the best value for all in terms of cost – both initial and sustaining – as well as reliability and overall safety. Here are some things to think about when planning such an important project.
Steel: Costs You Can See Today, Costs You Can’t See Tomorrow
Depending on global demand for the commodity itself, steel fire sprinkler pipe costs can be slightly more than CPVC pipe, or they can be significantly higher. But that’s just the beginning of the true costs of a steel fire protection system as opposed to CPVC. Think about the following hidden costs.
In order to install steel pipe, your contractor will require – and you will pay for – a hot work permit, allowing torches to be used during the project. There is a long list of precautions that must be taken, and signage must be posted warning of the danger of fire during the project. That’s a bit of an irony, doesn’t it seem? It’s certainly not something I believe would inspire confidence in residents whose tower block is being retrofitted. Flats and/or buildings must be vacated during the installation process. You may also need to provide temporary housing for these residents. BlazeMaster CPVC requires no torches or cumbersome tools to assemble; only solvent cement is required. Installation in a flat can take place in one day – there’s no need to relocate residents.
Next, consider the weight of the steel and the fact that typically more than one installer will be required. That adds to the installation cost. Alternatively, CPVC is 84 percent lighter than steel, and a CPVC system can be installed with a single installer rather than a pair or a team – and likely in much less time. The average per flat for CPVC installation is a single day.
Now let’s compare performance. Reliable hydraulic performance ensures that enough water reaches a fire to effectively extinguish or suppress it. BlazeMaster CPVC not only starts out with a better hydraulic rating than steel due to consistency in manufacturing, it maintains that performance over time, while steel – due to deterioration – drops over time, limiting the system’s overall performance as compared to CPVC.
Finally, consider the maintenance required with a steel system. Scale, corrosion and microbiologically induced corrosion are issues that a steel system must be treated for over time. CPVC systems have a natural immunity to these, offering long, low-maintenance service lives that typically outlast steel installations. With up to a 50-year life expectancy, CPVC systems have the advantage over steel in yet another way.
There is CPVC. Then There is BlazeMaster CPVC.
CPVC is an improvement over steel. But not all CPVC is equal in terms of reliability and performance.
BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems have an enviable track record that no other CPVC manufacturer can claim. It was first on the market, more than 30 years ago. Today, BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems continue to lead the industry through pressure-rated compounds, state-of-the-art processing, rigorous product testing and successful manufacturing partnerships.
BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems offers superior engineering, hands-on installation support and optimum product performance for reliable fire protection, exceeding expectations – and specifications – every day. You should expect no less when it comes to saving lives and protecting property.
And, thanks to third party testing, BlazeMaster CPVC removes the guesswork from choosing ancillary products with the FBC™ System Compatible Program. Introduced in 2002, it is the leading chemical compatibility resource for the fire protection industry when it comes it comes to installation of BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems.
The Program ensures that accompanying construction products such as thread sealers, gasket and gasket lubricants, a variety of firestop products and cleaners perform reliably and in harmony with BlazeMaster CPVC piping, ensuring the integrity of the installation. It makes it easy to determine which products are compatible – and which are not. This helps eliminate the potential for costly errors should incompatible products be used.
Eliminating hidden costs is just one more way BlazeMaster CPVC helps fire protection professionals do their jobs to the best of their ability. To learn more about why CPVC is the best choice for a fire protection system, and why BlazeMaster CPVC is the right CPVC choice, download our retrofit guide.
