July 17, 2014 – The Lubrizol
Corporation’s CPVC Piping Systems business calls the attention of the fire
protection industry to recent developments in regards to the use of spray
polyurethane foam with non-metallic piping and fire sprinkler systems. In its
recent Information Bulletin 14-004 published May 27, 2014, the Office of the
State Fire Marshal of California (OSFM) provides a set of guidelines covering
the proper installation of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) so that it does not
adversely affect the integrity of non-metallic pipe.
Spray
polyurethane foams are rapidly growing in popularity as a result of energy
saving trends in the building industry. During that time, extensive testing by
the industry — led by the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (www.sprayfoam.org) and
manufacturers like Icynene — has demonstrated that SPFs do not adversely affect
the performance of CPVC fire sprinkler systems when properly applied.
The recent OSFM bulletin provides the guidelines for proper installation of SPF
with nonmetallic fire sprinkler piping.
Among the guidelines
provided in the OSFM bulletin is the recommendation that “The contractor
installing insulation shall abide by the manufacturer’s recommended maximum
thickness per pass,” in order to limit the exposure of the CPVC fire sprinkler
system to the exothermic temperatures generated by SPFs. Additional information
regarding compatibility issues between SPFs and its BlazeMaster® Fire Sprinkler
Systems can also be found on Lubrizol’s FBC™ System Compatible Program
website.
View the complete OSFM
bulletin.
For additional information about SPFs and CPVC piping materials, read SPFA's research update and Insulating cPVC with Spray Foam Insulation.
Learn more about chemical compatibility and Lubrizol’s FBC™ System Compatible Program.
Because of its life saving and sustainability benefits, the installation of BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems in residential facilities — especially single family homes — continues to grow at a rapid pace. The guidelines that the bulletin provides give contractors, installers and local AHJs additional assurance to confidently specify BlazeMaster® Fire Sprinkler Systems for all light hazard applications.
