Off-site construction can take advantage of flexible fire sprinkler systems
Why CPVC Fire Sprinklers are on the Rise
The UK is taking fire safety more seriously than ever before. As demands for intelligent fire safety systems increase, the integration of fire sprinklers into modular buildings has become commonplace. The tallest modular building in the world standing at 44 storeys, 101 George Street, Croydon, was fitted with a fire sprinkler system off-site in Bedford and then connected to the power and water supplies and commissioned by qualified engineers.
A building installed efficiently with fire sprinklers is statistically proven to help prevent the widespread suffering caused by domestic fires in recent years. A European study conducted over 10 years saw a 98% success rate in the extinguishing of fire from sprinkler heads alone. Of these fires, 60% of them were extinguished from the activation of just four sprinkler heads.
BlazeMaster CPVC has been developing modern fire safety solutions for exactly this purpose because as we have seen, fire sprinklers get serious results.
Change is coming
Wales was the first nation in the world to mandate fire sprinkler installation as part of every new build in 2016. Scotland is due to follow Wales’ example in 2021. As of November 26th, installation of fire sprinkler systems and consistent wayfinding signage in all new residential accommodation over 11 metres tall will become law across the UK.
Installation Benefits of CPVC
The installation process is perfectly suited to modular building procedures due to its simple and repetitive fitting procedure. BlazeMaster CPVC pipes and fittings come together using solvent cement jointing, a cold installation process that requires no hot works, electricity or heavy machinery; it requires a few hand tools and a few minutes to make a strong, long-lasting joint.
CPVC’s clear advantage over steel in the installation process is the lightweight and flexible nature of plastic over metal. 1 metre of CPVC weighs 0.390kg, 1 metre of steel with the same thickness is 2.440kg; installation is made much faster if your installers are repeatedly handling a much lighter material.
You can use smaller pipe sizes and smaller installation spaces while allowing pipes to navigate hard to reach areas because BlazeMaster CPVC pipes’ optimum temperature resistance, pressure resistance and hydraulic capability allows for flexible installations.
Meet the standards
BlazeMaster CPVC is listed for use in the UK against the WRAS potable water certification and the LCPB. BlazeMaster CPVC pipes and fittings are approved for use in Light Hazard and some Ordinary Hazard occupancies and hold the European Fire Classification of Bs1d0, the highest rating a plastic material can achieve. This is what makes BlazeMaster CPVC the most specified non-metallic material for fire sprinklers anywhere in the world.
CPVC is specified for this purpose because of its superior resistance to high pressure and temperatures. During a controlled test in which water was distributed through a CPVC piping system for 10 minutes at 12 bar pressure, the pipe material was exposed to flames, reaching temperatures of 760-870°C.
The test demonstrated how charring forms on the outside of the CPVC pipe, while the interior remains unchanged. Charring forms a thermal barrier, restricting the flow of heat into the pipe wall, while the cool water passing through the pipe helps reduce the temperature from the inside out.
You can introduce BlazeMaster CPVC Fire Sprinklers into your modular workflow simply. Blazemaster products are all available through bimobjecthere.
Take your modular system to the next level and speak to our team today. We can answer your questions and support you in finding a reliable UK supplier so your product flows on time, every time.
