BlazeMaster® Fire Protection Systems Blog
Installation best practices, design considerations, safety information and more from the experts behind the most specified nonmetallic fire sprinkler system in the world.
BlazeMaster® Fire Protection Systems joins with the NFSA in encouraging everyone associated with the fire sprinkler industry to reach out to your Senators immediately to request that they co-sponsor S. 803 legislation.
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Blazemaster CPVC | US Resources
Fire protection system failures at a 19-story newly-renovated Dallas hotel and a 10-story multifamily complex in Louisiana resulted in the need to temporarily relocate residents and guests, lost revenue, property damage that led to hundreds of thousands of dollars in repair bills and, in the Dallas incident, deployment of key fire department personnel onsite for extended watch for more than three months.
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Discover how to save time and money with the right fire sprinkler system.
Installation methods for fire protection systems vary depending on the materials involved. Each material’s specific joining method has a direct impact on three key factors: Cost: Installation and labor accounts for more than half of the system’s total upfront cost. Time: In new builds, construction deadlines may be tight. In retrofits, the building may remain occupied during construction, which means the system must be completed as quickly as possible. Reliability: Installation mistakes can lead to premature failures and unnecessary repairs, resulting in an unreliable system in the event of a fire. For this reason, contractors and installers can benefit from being proactive in their piping material recommendations to building owners.
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Since its inception in 2012, Atlanta-based SuperHero Fire Protection has relied exclusively on BlazeMasterⓇ Fire Protection Systems to protect its customers and their residences. The full-service fire protection contractor mainly services residential properties such as single-family homes, townhomes, high-rise buildings and multi-family apartment complexes, where they face tight construction deadlines. By relying on BlazeMaster CPVC, SuperHero Fire Protection meets deadlines not possible with steel systems.
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BlazeMasterⓇ Fire Protection Systems devotes time and resources to knowledge-sharing and testing to ensure products can be used safely and effectively. Chemical compatibility is often top of mind when working with CPVC. Spray foam, drywall and concrete are three common construction materials often in direct contact with BlazeMaster CPVC products, but with proper care, all three can be used without compatibility concerns.
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The importance of fire sprinkler systems in building design cannot be overstated. In fact, there has never been a building fire that resulted in multiple-occupant loss of life when the structure had a properly designed, installed and maintained fire sprinkler system using certified components.
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New builds can be pricey. With consumers desiring luxury amenities such as granite countertops and custom flooring, they may not want to consider spending money on a fire sprinkler system—but it should be top of mind. Unfortunately, in most cases, fire sprinkler systems are not installed in homes unless required by law, which is why there is a glaring need for more ordinances and recommendations from builders.
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All light hazard fire sprinkler system applications in seismic regions must have a properly braced system in order to withstand the effects of possible earthquakes. Strict building codes and requirements exist to ensure the safety of citizens, especially those along fault lines. With lives at stake, fire sprinkler system specifiers and installers must select the proper materials and meet bracing requirements.
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Cost Savings | Installation | Material Comparison
One of the distinct advantages of BlazeMaster® CPVC over steel piping is time saved and ease of installation. BlazeMaster CPVC installation can greatly reduce the number of laborers required, eliminate the high price tag of skilled welders and help keep projects on schedule and on budget. BlazeMaster CPVC also has more stable material costs compared to metallic alternatives while still offering long-term reliability.
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One of the most common myths in the fire protection industry is that because CPVC is plastic, it will easily melt in a fire.
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An important consideration in any building project is the cost of materials. In most instances, contractors look to the highest quality product for the lowest cost. But, what happens when a common product is no longer affordable?
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Building Owners | Contractors | Installation
The long-term reliability of any fire sprinkler system comes down to two things: 1. The quality of the piping material and 2. The installation. Selecting the contractor to install your fire protection system is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in this process.
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Fire sprinkler system reliability is critical to the safety and security of your building and occupants. Malfunctions or piping system issues come in a variety of forms, but some of the most common include restricted water flow, blocked sprinkler heads, and leaks within the system.
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The long-standing real estate boom in Atlanta got an added boost with the completion of Phase I of Atlantic Station. The $2 billion development off I-85 in Atlanta is credited as being the community that launched the live-work-play concept that is quickly gaining popularity in other parts of the country.
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Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) is a specially engineered thermoplastic first commercialized by Lubrizol in the early 1960’s. Since its first use, CPVC has steadily grown in popularity and is now used in industrial, commercial and residential buildings around the world. However, a thermoplastic may not be the first thing that comes to mind when discussing fire protection systems. So, what makes CPVC a viable piping material for fire sprinkler systems? A breakdown of the science of CPVC may help explain it.
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Case Studies | New Construction
Like most school systems, the Colorado Independent School District in Colorado City, Texas, has more needs than it does money to fulfill them. So, when voters in the West Texas district in 2013 approved a $29.9 million bond issue for construction of a new school, district officials knew they would have to be efficient in spending taxpayers’ money. The district planned a new, larger building to house more than 700 students in grades K-8. It would replace two outdated elementary school buildings, each more than 65 years old. In addition to modern amenities and educational features, the new building would feature a fire sprinkler system, something its predecessors lacked. “We didn’t have any other fire sprinkler system in the district,” said Supt. Reggy Spencer.
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For 30 years, BlazeMaster® Fire Protection Systems have been specified for thousands of residential and commercial buildings around the world. But why are building owners and contractors choosing a thermoplastic fire sprinkler system over steel and other non-metallic materials?
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A school building poses a tricky situation when it comes to installing a fire sprinkler system. Students fill hallways and classrooms constantly, whether it’s classes during the day, sports after school or on weekends, and activities throughout the summer. Finding the time to complete a major facility upgrade without disrupting the flurry of activity can be a challenge. Educational facilities rarely close long enough for this to take place. How do you solve this problem?
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As one of only six universities with its own fire department, the University of Notre Dame, founded in 1842, is a prime example of an institution that places a high priority on fire protection. To minimize the potential devastation of residence hall fires, Notre Dame launched a retrofit program in 1979, installing sprinkler systems during the renovation of old buildings and the construction of new ones.
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Faced with a city ordinance that required its chapter house in Lawrence, Kansas, to be sprinklered before it could be occupied, Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity, Inc. solicited a number of bids from local contractors. The bids offered recommendations regarding the most cost-and time-efficient installation.
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Whether part of a new system or replacing old or damaged heads, sprinkler head effectiveness and reliability often come down to proper installation. Our team of fire system experts has put together a general overview on how to properly install fire sprinkler heads with BlazeMaster® CPVC. The following steps will ensure leak-free, reliable, and properly positioned sprinkler heads. It is important to note that the following are general guidelines. BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems advises contractors review manufacturer instructions before installation.
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The following is an excerpt from The Complete Guide To Solvent Cement & CPVC Fire Protection Systems. Download the full guide to discover more on what solvent cement is, how it works, the process for utilizing it in fire sprinkler applications and special considerations for successful installation.
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Building Owners | Case Studies
Millions of homeowners across the United States have come to rely on Ron Hazelton for down-to-earth, practical advice. As the on-air Home Improvement Editor for ABC TV’s Good Morning America and star of the hit syndicated show HouseCalls, Hazelton has guided do-it-yourselfers for years through the ins and outs of countless home renovation and maintenance projects.
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A simple cut-and-join process is one of the many advantages of BlazeMaster® Fire Protection Systems. By following a few simple steps, installers can cut CPVC piping to the desired length in just a few minutes and ensure a clean, straight edge every time.
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For years, building owners and contractors have relied on steel as the standard material for fire sprinkler systems. After all, steel is strong, durable, and stands up well to intense heat.
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When Lee Miller returned to the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, for his 25th year class reunion in 1987, he was dismayed to find his old Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house in shambles.
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It wasn’t that many years ago that codes first started mandating the practice of firestopping in various commercial applications. As a result, firestopping is still a relatively new service area offered by contractors who have chosen to expand their expertise.
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After recent Tower fire tragedies, a 2017 report by the Housing and Finance Institute has built a picture of what comes next for UK housing in the wake of the disaster, and how the government can react. The report outlines three needs: to pause on the building of any new high-rise blocks, to review how existing residential tower blocks can be made safer (including sprinkler installations), and to speed up house building throughout the country, including re-housing those affected in high-rise homes. For those who might benefit from a quick summary of the report, the three key themes for action are: the need to repair, protect, and build as a response.
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CPVC broke into the plumbing and industrial piping industry in the late 1950’s, but it took a couple of decades to reach the highly regulated fire protection segment.
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CPVC installation is quick, easy, and cost-effective. Installation of CPVC piping is done through a simple one-step joining system so no torches or heat-fusion techniques are needed. Additionally, because CPVC is lightweight, installations in hard-to-reach places are completed more easily. Whether you’ve used BlazeMaster® Pipe and Fittings before or if this is your first time, following best practices will ensure proper installation and a reliable, long-lasting fire sprinkler system.
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Like many campuses across the country, Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas (about one hour north of Kansas City), not long ago found itself in need of additional student housing due to an increase in its student population. The administration first turned its attention to its old Freshman Hall (now called Ferrell Hall), which had remained empty since the 1970s.
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While steel fire protection systems have been the traditional choice for retrofits and residential applications, CPVC, or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, has a proven track record of cost-effective and time-saving installations. With 600 million meters (1,968 feet) of piping system installed in more than 60 countries, BlazeMaster® CPVC Fire Protection Systems has become a safe, secure and reliable alternative material to steel in fire sprinkler systems.
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The Tyco® Rapid Seal Adapter is the newest addition to its BlazeMaster® Fire Protection offering. Made with BlazeMaster CPVC, this all-CPVC fitting simplifies the way sprinkler heads are installed into fire protection systems.
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Proper fire sprinkler system installation is crucial to its long-term success and reliability. For this reason, BlazeMaster® Fire Protection Systems has developed a free online training program covering installation best practices and sharing valuable resources. At your own pace, work through the course material, and upon completion (and at Lubrizol’s discretion), you will receive a BlazeMaster online installation training card and certificate.
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Case Studies | Residential | US Resources
What started as routine maintenance at a Jamestown, North Carolina multi-family complex turned into a dangerous, life-threatening situation for a construction team member of LEC Properties Incorporated. The team member was cleaning the weeks-old, 460-unit luxury Crowne Lake Two when fuel used to refill a pressure washer in the breezeway spilled onto the already hot exhaust system, igniting into a blazing fire.
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Case Studies | Contractors | Installation | US Resources
Largest dorm in North America completes fire sprinkler retrofit in record 11 months without displacing students With 3,000 beds inside and one-million+ square feet of housing comprising an entire city block, Jester Center at the University of Texas Austin was recognized as the largest dormitory in North America when it was built.
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Case Studies | Commercial | Cost Savings | Retrofit
Thirty-four years ago the fire sprinkler industry witnessed something never seen before – the first commercial installation of a CPVC fire sprinkler system. The system was a BlazeMaster® CPVC fire protection system. The installation was at the world renowned Fontainebleau Hilton Resort, which has often been described as the crown jewel of Millionaire’s Row on Miami Beach with its 920 grand rooms and more than 50 suites. Over the years, the Fontainebleau has been home to movie stars and has been visited by every American president since Eisenhower. Films shot on location include Goldfinger, Scarface and The Bodyguard. Its magnificent image is enhanced with such special attractions like a 7,000 square-foot Octopus pool with its 240-foot water slide. Other amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, three whirlpool baths, a shopping arcade, business center and 190,000 square feet of meeting space.
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Case Studies | Contractors | Cost Savings | Material Comparison | US Resources
Conversion to BlazeMaster® CPVC Pipe Allows Leading Southeast Sprinkler Contractor To Meet Schedules Not Possible With Steel Affordable Fire Protection, Inc. (AFP), one of the largest fire sprinkler contractors in the Southeast, promotes itself as having been an early adopter of BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems, and for good reason. With more than 200 employees installing, on average, 200,000 sprinklers each year, the rapidly growing company has its hands full with a broad range of multi-family, high-rise and light hazard projects – each with its own tight construction schedule.
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Case Studies | Material Comparison | Residential | Retrofit | US Resources
When five students died tragically in a fire at the University of North Carolina, Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., embarked on an ambitious program to retrofit all campus housing with fire sprinkler systems. The university was limited to working on the project from mid-May to mid-August, when the number of students requiring campus housing was greatly reduced. Two buildings were completed during the first summer, then four in the summer of 1998, and six in 1999.
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