Will CPVC Fire Sprinkler Pipes Melt in a Fire?
This is arguably the most frequently asked question; will CPVC fire sprinkler systems melt in a fire? How is it possible for a plastic material to outperform steel?
The answer is simple; to specify a plastic material for fire safety applications, make sure it can outperform steel in terms of performance and safety. Fortunately, this is what BlazeMaster® CPVC was designed for.
The truth about fire sprinkler systems
The assumption that all plastic pipes melt in a fire is one of the most common misconceptions about fire sprinklers, second only to the misconception affectionately called the "Die Hard Effect," as illustrated by Triangle Fire Systems' Tristan Rhodes in a recent interview:
“There was a lot of reticence from tenants to start with, a lot of myths relating to sprinklers. The “Die Hard Effect,” we call it; somebody goes and presses a button and all the sprinklers go. Obviously that doesn't happen, but that's what people think happens."
The truth is, sprinklers only trigger where and when they need to.
The other important fact about CPVC pipes and fittings is that they are inherently designed for heat, flame and smoke resistance.
BlazeMaster CPVC is the most specified non-metallic fire sprinkler material in the world. Here's why.
What happens to CPVC sprinkler pipe in a fire?
It’s true that many thermoplastics are made from material that cannot withstand fire, resulting in further property damage and potential dangers to public health.
BlazeMaster CPVC is different because it is self extinguishing and does not support the spread of flames.
When BlazeMaster CPVC material is exposed to flames, a thermal layer forms on the outer surface, in the form of charring. This prevents any further damage to the interior of the pipe which means water distribution can continue as intended during activation, even if the pipes themselves appear compromised.
Because BlazeMaster CPVC is self extinguishing and does not support the spread of flames, as soon as the source of flame is removed, The CPVC no longer burns.
During this entire process, burning droplets do not form and fall from the structure. The smoke produced is no more toxic than the smoke produced when wood burns.
Why CPVC for residential sprinkler systems?
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) is designed to behave in this way, when exposed to fire. This inherent safety measure is a key factor in BlazeMaster fire protection systems' popularity.
However, for fire sprinkler system designers, there's more to it than that:
- Easy to install quickly, quietly, and securely
- Less costly than steel systems
- Requires less space for installation
- Flame resistant
- Lightweight and durable
- Inherently resistant to pitting and corrosion
- Approved by UL, NSF and LPCB
Learn More
To learn more about BlazeMaster fire protection systems and to hear some real life-saving stories from recent projects, listen to the Tristan Rhodes interview on the BlazeMaster podcast and watch the Birmingham Retrofit case study video.