Insulation Question

[rydia]

Hello,

I'd like to find out what experiences people have had with protecting mechanical equipment from fire.

In particular, what are the differences between the following types of materials used for fire protection?

Calcium Silicate
Cellular Glass Block
Glass/Mineral Fibre
Perlite

Also, is Stainless Steel the best material to use for jacketing equipment that is required to be fireproofed?

Any information or tips for fireproofing design would be useful!

Thanks!

 

[unclesyd]

One has to be careful in saying something is fireproof versus fire resistant. There are numerous parameters that need to be taken into consideration when protecting equipment from the affects of fire.

Calcium Silicate
Calcium silicate per say isn't fire proof or very fire resistant. There are Calcium Silicate products that are consider as fire proof. They are high density products with with water of hydration of 4% or less. Super Firetemp is one.

Cellular Glass Block, FoamGlas is one.
This material is considered to be a very good fire resistant material. One of it's attributes is that it will not wick or absorb liquids

Glass Fiber separate from Mineral Wool
Not considered fire proofing material but high density bats can be fire retardant.

Mineral Wool
A fire proofing material if it is manufactured for and use correctly.

Perlite
Not considered a fire proofing insulation. Known for it's use on SS equipment to mediate CSS

Stainless Steel is the only material to consider for lagging or weather proofing insulation that might be exposed to fire.

 

[EdStainless]

There are two parts to selecting fire protection.
1. the insulation, what temp and time are you faced with.
2. how to protect the insulation form damage and moisture.

You need to be careful of what you are covering. Sometimes covering something can do a lot of damage.

Maybe some commercial names would be good to get you pointed in the right direction. I don't know of any, but I am sure that others here do.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Rust never sleeps
Neither should your protection

http://www.trent-tube.com/contact/Tech_Assist.cfm

 

[unclesyd]

If you will checkout the manufactures websites of the two named named products in my previous post you can get wealth of valuable information.

One in particular offers a lot of engineering assistance. I would still checkout the information available at each site prior to asking for any concrete help.

 

[SJones]

Why does it have to be a mineral/ceramic fire protection material with all the associated problems of corrosion underneath it? What about intumescent coatings such as Chartek or Pittchar?

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.pdo.co.om/pdo/

 

[unclesyd]

SJones,

While Chartek and Pittchar have their place the question posted was referring to pipe and tank insulation.

On our site neither material is suitable due temperatures and areas where epoxies are like the proverbial snowball.

 

[SJones]

Sorry - but I only see the words "mechanical equipment". Where does it say "pipe and tank"? In addition, are you not confusing fire protection with thermal insulation? Of course, intumescent coatings aren't a traditional insulating material but they most definitely are fire protection materials.

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.pdo.co.om/pdo/

 

[rydia]

Thank you for all your useful responses!
My question was probably not too clear at first as I meant to request information on protecting such items as vessels, colummns and drums from fire, not necessarily "fireproofing" them. All your input has been very useful in my research however; it is much appreciated!

Thanks