Friday 12 September 2014

What Exactly Are Fire Collars and Pipe Collars?



There are so many dangers in the world today.  Some of them are manmade; some of them we have inherited from Mother Nature herself.  Fire is one of the few dangers that transcends the boundaries between the two very separate realms.  And it can be scary indeed.  And, as our towns become more populated, it becomes even more life threatening.  That’s why it must be taken so seriously.   And, that is exactly the reason behind all kinds of fire prevention and containment accessories.  This, of course, includes everything from walls to fire collars and pipe collars.  And, whether you are constructing a new building or renovating an old one, you’ll need to know all about fire collars and pipe collars before you begin your project.




The Basics of Fire Protection

There are a few different components to fire protection in the modern world.  Although the different aspects are linked, they are considered independently of each other to begin with.  The first component is obviously prevention, as this is the best case no matter what the situation.  However, no matter how much prevention is undertaken, there is still always a risk of fire.  In the event that a fire does break out, then the next component becomes important. 

This second component deals with the containment of a fire within a compartment.  This is essentially the prevention of the movement of fire between different rooms or areas within a structure.  Although this sounds quite simple, it is a rather technical process to insulate against the transfer of fire between compartments.   But, once a fire has been safely contained, there is a third factor to consider.  That’s the safe and timely evacuation of people from building that is experiencing a fire.  And this is the crux of the matter as everything leading up to this step is the foundation on which human safety is derived.

The Legalities of Fire Safety

In the UK, there is a set of building codes that regulate all new builds and material change of purpose conversions.  In some cases, these codes also apply to existing structures.  That is the case when it comes to fire safety.  These regulations are each assigned a letter and updated as new and safer methods, and materials are developed.  Fire safety regulations fall under Part B of these building codes.

Part B covers everything from prevention in terms of the materials that can be used in the construction of a building and the containment of fires within individual compartments to the safe evacuation of occupants in the event of a fire.  All three parts are treated as equally important in the quest for health and safety.  As such, each component requires specific materials and procedures – and certification throughout every step of the building and occupation process.

Structural Fire Protection

Given the type of structure, fire prevention is often less concerned with the materials used in construction and more to do with safety standards once occupied.  That includes things like the safe use of gas and electricity as well as the maintenance and supervision intentional fires.  However, the materials used in buildings plays a great part in the containment of a fire should one ever break out. 

To begin with walls, floors and ceilings must be considered.  These are obviously the largest structures in any building, not to mention the ones that offer the greatest deterrents when it comes to containing the spread of fire between compartments.   Fortunately, protecting these structures is usually fairly straightforward.  They can either be made of fire resistant materials, or they can be coated with additional protection once they are constructed.  Provided it is done correctly, either of these can and will be effective. 

However, it must be noted that there are very few compartments that do not share service provisions with other, neighbouring compartments.  This is usually the case with water and electrical connections.  Unfortunately, when these services pass through the walls between compartments, they negate the fire safety measures already in effect.  And, in these instances, additional safety precautions must be taken in order to contain fires within the compartment where they erupt. 

Pipe Collars and Fire Collars

When services and pipes pass through walls, something additional needs to be done in order to prevent the passage of fire between compartments.  This has traditionally been done through the use of pipe collars and fire collars.  These handy fire protection accessories are used to maintain the high level of protection between compartments.  As a pipe passes through an aperture in a protected wall, fire collars are applied on either side of the wall.  These collars hold the pipes in place and are designed to work with other pipe insulation to contract in the event of a fire.  In other words, these collars shrink to cut off the pipes that connect compartments.  This effectively cuts a fire’s ability to move between passages.

In addition to pipe collars and fire collars, there is a new product on the market called Ultra Universal Pipe Wrap.  This product offers the same protection as two pipe collars.  However, instead of requiring the use of additional insulation and collars, Ultra Universal Pipe Wrap simply enfolds itself around the pipes crossing through chambers.  Pipe wrap is held in place with tape and then passed through the wall.  Instead of requiring a pipe collar, Ultra Universal Pipe Wrap is simply held in place with an adhesive.  Fortunately, this product is not only easy to install, it is also remarkably effective.  It expands to times the size its normal thickness, burning to a char and thus cutting off the ability of fire to pass between walls. 

Of course, the installation of these items requires professional attention.  Because fire safety is taken so seriously (as it should be), installation is only the beginning.  Certification is required after fire protection has been implemented in a structure.  Without this, a building is deemed unfit to occupation, and violations are treated extremely seriously.  That’s good news in a world that’s so inherently filled with danger.



For more information about fire collars and pipe collars please visit the Technical Insulation website - http://www.sigtechnicalinsulation.co.uk/ultimate-guide.asp

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