Fire Endurance Rating for insulated piping

[reichertc]

Hi folks,

I am trying to figure out how to determine the fire endurance rating of an insulated pipe. Anybody have any advice on how to go about doing this? A quick methodology, or a good reference to the topic would be appreciated.

Will this be specific to each insulation manufacturer, or will it be the same for any insulation produced to a particular ASTM standard?

Really don't know too much on the topic, so any assistance is appreciated.

 

[unclesyd]

It is specific with each manufacturer. One of the better studies of the subject was accomplished by Dow after a minor fire got out of hand when pipe insulation failed on a process line. I don't have a copy but I seen it. We also commissioned some test work after I appraised management of the problems at Dow concerning the proper rating of Calcium Silicate clam shell pipe covering. At the time there was a project to remove all Asbestos pipe insulation and replace it with Calcium Silicate. There was quite a lot of consternation on management’s part when the results of the testing were presented. If we had changed to Calcium Silicate we would have been sitting on a time bomb. I understand that some the newer Calcium Silicate materials have better strength at temperature.
The conclusion of all the test work was that expanded Calcium Silicate Clam Shell pipe covering without SS tie wire and SS covering had essentially no fire rating.

Pabco manufacturer of Super Fire Temp block insulation used for fireproofing structural steel in place of Asbestos has a lot of information on the subject.

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