SR339 Fire behaviour of HVAC duct and pipe insulation materials (2015)
- Abbreviation
- SR339
- Valid from
- 1/01/2015
- Information provider
- BRANZ Limited,
- Author
- C. A. Wade and M. J. Corwin
- Information type
- Study report,
- Format
- PDF,
Description
This report describes an investigation of the fire behaviour and fire test methods used for combustible duct and pipe insulation materials intended for installation within New Zealand buildings.
Scope
This investigation is primarily concerned with the reaction to the fire behaviour and properties of combustable materials used for insulating ducts and pipes within buildings. These typically form part of heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) or fluid distribution systems. Reaction to fire is a term used to describe the behaviour of a material or system to a growing fire, considering the potential for surface spread of flame, heat release and smoke development. Combustable duct and pipe insulation materials can contribute to the overall fire hazard within buildings, placing occupants at increased risk while attempting to escape. Where ducts and pipes pass through fire-rated construction (e.g. walls, ceilings), use of fire dampers or fire-resistant ductwork are additionally required to mitigate against fire spread through these construction elements. That aspect of fire-resisting performance is not part of this investigation.