A COMPARATIVE-EXAMINATION OF THE FIRE PERFORMANCE OF PIPE INSULATION

A standard method for evaluating the fire performance of pipe insulati on is not available in North America. In Europe, however, the regional standards organization NORDTEST has had available for several years n ow, a method specifically designed for this purpose The NORDTEST NT FI RE 036 test is a full-scale room fire test where the pipe insulation i s installed along the ceiling and subjected to a gas burner fire. Four classes of performance (Class I. through III, plus unrated) are used to evaluate the products In the present work 4 different pipe insulati on products, representing the most common materials used for this purp ose have been examined according to this test. The results showed that rock wool insulation gave the best fire performance, with phenolic fo am being in the least safe rated category. Synthetic foam rubber and p olyethylene insulation products gave intermediate performance.