FIRE RETARDANT TEST - LIVE FOR 7 OIL CO's

September 28, 1995

Flame Seal Products Inc.
4025 WILLOWBEND BLVD.  # 310
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77025
OFFICE:  (713) 668-4291
FAX:  (713) 668-1724

INTRODUCTION:

On September 28, 1995, Flame Seal Products Inc. performed a fire test of the FBS® System.  This patented System is revolutionary in both design and function. It incorporates the technologies of intumescence for insulation from the extreme temperatures experienced in a hydrocarbon fire as well as endothermic properties for cooling. This thin lightweight system with it's "endothermic / intumescent" properties is the next generation in passive fire protection products for conduits and cable trays.

TEST FACILITY:

The test was conducted at the testing facilities of Flame Seal Products, Inc. located at 4025 Willowbend # 310, Houston, Texas, USA. Prior to the test, the furnace, facility and test methods were reviewed bv Exxon Corporation and the facility was accepted as an official test site.

ATTENDEES:

The Following companies were in attendance to witness the test and verify the results:

ABB Lummus Crest Inc.
Bechtel Corporation
Exxon Corporation
Fluor-Daniel Corporation
Liondel-Citgo
Peak Seals, Inc.

TEST STANDARDS:

The fire test was conducted in accordance with the time/temperature curve required by UL 1709. The test was performed on a one inch conduit for a period of thirty minutes Circuit integrity was established as the pass/fail criteria.

TEST CONFIGURATION:

The one inch conduit was wrapped with the FBS^® System as supplied by Flame Seal Products Inc.  The assembly was placed in the furnace and a 10 gauge PVC coated cable was pulled through the conduit.  The cable was connected to a power supply on one end and to a 20" box fan on the other.  The conduit was filled with ceramic fiber a depth of approximately 1" at each end to simulate a continuous conduit run.

Thermocouples attached to individual readers were used to monitor temperatures throughout the testing period.  Two thermocouples were installed in the furnace(T/C 1 & T/C 2) for the purpose of monitoring the temperature rise was in accordance with the requirements of UL-1709.  The following time/temperature curve was applicable:

A tolerance of +/- 10% from the above time/temperature is allowed by UL 1709.

For engineering purposes, prior to installing the FBS^® System on the conduit,  two thermocouples ( T/C 3 & T/C 4 ) were installed on the conduit to monitor the temperature rise on the cold face side of the System.

TEST RESULTS:

The furnace was ignited at 10:18 AM.  Immediately prior to lighting the furnace, the 20" box fan was started for visual evidence of circuit integrity.  Thermocouple readings were recorded on one minute intervals  ( see Attachment 1 ).  The time/temperature curve shown above was followed for the thirty minute test period.  At the end of the test period, the furnace was extinguished.  The box fan was still operational indicating circuit integrity was maintained throughout the test.  Attachment 2 shows graphically the extreme furnace temperatures ( T/C's 1 & 2 ) relative to the controlled temperature rise experienced on the surface of the conduit  ( T/C's 3 & 4 ).

CONCLUSION:

Previous testing on an unprotected one inch conduit with the same type of electrical cable used in this test showed that circuit integrity was lost at approximately 500 degrees F.  The average temperature of thermocouples 3 & 4 at the end of the test period was 226.1 degrees F.  The FBS System protected the conduit with a large safety margin.  Attachment 2 shows clearly how the combination of intumescent (insulation) and endothermic (cooling) reaction work together to create plateaus in the temperature rise during a fire.  The thin, lightweight, and easily installed FBS® System is the answer to the passive fire protection needs of the petrochemical industry.

 

TIME	T/C 1	T/C 2	T/C 3	T/C 4
MINUTES	FURNACE	FURNACE	CONDUIT	CONDUIT
1	1037	1289	82.8	82.4
2	1193	1299	82.8	80.0
3	1335	1484	83.0	82.6
4	1616	1700	83.4	83.2
5	1742	1839	84.8	84.4
6	1887	1938	87.6	87.0
7	2032	2036	90.4	89.6
8	1982	2010	94.8	93.8
9	1970	1980	100.4	99.8
10	2008	1992	108.6	109.8
11	1973	1974	122.6	124.2
12	1966	1990	148.4	147.2
13	1922	1927	164.0	176.4
14	1904	1900	166.0	180.4
15	1995	2052	173.2	183.6
16	1934	1938	178.4	183.8
17	2006	2014	183.6	183.4
18	1950	1948	187.4	184.4
19	1965	1964	190.4	190.4
20	1988	1993	195.0	197.8
21	1987	1988	198.0	201.8
22	2020	2022	201.8	203.0
23	1922	1922	206.4	204.6
24	2024	2019	209.8	206.2
25	1977	1986	211.0	209.6
26	2004	2003	213.0	210.3
27	1987	1987	216.4	210.3
28	1968	1967	219.2	211.2
29	1878	1878	223.6	213.4
30	1968	1963	230.4	221.8