Chiltern International Fire (CIF) has carried out a comprehensive pipe penetration seals fire resistance test programme for Polypipe Terrain.

The range of Polypipe penetration seals

The products tested form part of Polypipe Terrain’s new Firetrap range of penetration seals for sealing plastic pipework used for water supply, waste and drainage. The test programme, carried out in accordance with BSEN 1366-3:2009, the European fire test standard for pipe penetration seals, covered a broad cross-section of the range, encompassing dimensions from 50mm-160mm in diameter, for use in different construction types, such as steel stud partitions, concrete blockwork and concrete floors.

In a fire, the penetration seals expand to fill the space between the pipe and the penetration and then crush the pipe until it closes to prevent the passage of fire and smoke.

CIF principal test engineer, Ross Newman, said: “It was important for the client to carry out testing representative of the scenarios in which the pipe penetration seals will be used. Test specimens were configured both horizontally and vertically, to simulate use through floors and walls, for example.”

The Polypipe products achieved two- to four-hour rating depending on construction type.

Polypipe has recently won a number of contracts to supply various high profile projects, added Mr Newman. “For these we devised innovative twin floor compartment tests for high density polyethylene (HDPE) soil stacks, to assess how the products would perform both up through the floor above and down through the floor below, within one test.”