BlazeMaster® CPVC is a market leader in the fire protection market for many reasons. We’ve established an enviable international track record for quality and reliability, an area in which we’ve excelled for more than 30 years. When we tell specifiers, designers, contractors, installers and Registered Social Landlords that our products are compatible with an ancillary construction product, or that our piping performs to certain burst or impact resistance levels, the information and data behind those claims are established and verified by an unbiased third party.
We believe that we’re the only CPVC fire sprinkler system piping and fitting compound manufacturer that can make that claim. We stake our reputation on these third-party findings, and we’re proud to do so – time and time again.
Chemical Compatibility with Ancillary Construction Products – Established and Verified
The chemical compounds of CPVC pipe and fittings vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. There are variances in manufacturing procedures, material science and chemical processing. Orange piping from one manufacturer is different than that from another. And what the means is that each brand of CPVC may react differently to the ancillary products it comes in contact with in a fire sprinkler system. This ranges from items such as fire stopping sealants, thread sealers, gasket lubricants and cleaners, for example.
Lubrizol Advanced Materials developed the FBCTM System Compatible Program to eliminate the guesswork of compatibility. Manufacturers of ancillary products must submit their products for third-party testing in accordance to protocols developed by Lubrizol. This ensures that the products tested meet the rigourous program standards. The products’ manufacturing facilities are audited, and no change in product formula is permitted once a product receives FBC System Compatible Program certification. If such changes occur, the process starts once again from the beginning.
Products receiving certification are awarded the opportunity to use the FBC System Compatible Program mark on their web pages and specific product packaging materials.
The program also specifically identifies products not recommended for use with BlazeMaster CPVC.
This is a good time to emphasize that if an ancillary product is approved by the FBC System Compatible Program it’s not necessarily usable with other CPVC brands. The FBC System Compatible Program is exclusive to BlazeMaster CPVC when it comes to fire protection products.
While other CPVC manufacturers also list chemically compatible products as well, we are not aware that these programs employ third-party testing. That means you are taking the CPVC manufacturer’s word that a product is chemically compatible.
Third-party testing is a key element to the FBC System Compatible Program. Learn more about it here.
BlazeMaster CPVC is Tough – And That’s Confirmed by a Third Party, Too
BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems must meet rigourous physical standards. That should be no surprise, as they often serve as the last line of defense when a fire breaks out. Burst pressure and impact resistance testing were overseen by an independent laboratory to compare our 2.5-centimeter BlazeMaster CPVC pipe to that of a competitor.
ASTM International Standard F442 is the standard to which burst testing is performed. It requires five replicate pipe samples to be tested at a rate that ensures that burst occurs within 60 to 70 seconds. BlazeMaster CPVC outperformed the competition, pressure testing to 1,579 psi before burst compared to 1,413 psi.
ASTM D2444 is the impact resistance standard, and is often performed with a test commonly known as the Bruceton Staircase Method, or the Up-and-Down Method. A total of 20 specimens were tested. Resulting data was statistically analyzed to determine a mean impact strength. Once again, BlazeMaster CPVC performed above that of the competition – 56.1 joule compared to 43.1 joule.
To learn more about this testing, click here.
BlazeMaster CPVC is committed to its third-party testing and verification program. It’s in your best interest – and in the best interest of your customers and residents.
