Title: Fire resistance test utilising the general principles of BS 476: Part 20: 1987 on four specimens of Uninsulated Air Valves Report No: 172158 Prepared for: Lindab Ventilation AB SE 26982 Båstad Järnvägsgatan 33 Grevie Sweden Date: 23 rd June 2008 Notified Body No: 0833 0249
Page 2 of 22 Summary Objective Sponsor To determine the fire resistance performance of four specimen of Uninsulated Air Valves, when subject to a fire resistance test utilising the general principles and test methodology of BS 476: Part 20: 1987. Lindab Ventilation AB, SE 26982 Båstad, Järnvägsgatan 33, Grevie, Sweden. Summary of the Tested Specimen The specimens included two sizes of Air Valves, referenced KSUB 200 and KSUB 100. These comprised of the air valve with a fusible sleeve screw fixed to a mounting ring, which was rivet fixed within a 300 mm length of galvanised ducting. The specimens were installed into a nominally 1 meter square partition assembly consisting of a steel stud framework, with two layer of 12.5 mm plasterboard on each face. Apertures of 100 mm diameter were provided for the KSUB 100 Air Valves and 200 mm diameter apertures were provided for the KSUB 200 Air Valves. The specimens were installed so that one air valve of each size was fitted the exposed face and one air valve of each size was fitted to the unexposed face. The ducting on the exposed and unexposed face of the assembly was secured to steel channelling which in turn was fixed to the resistant frame. All the air valves were set to their maximum opening positions for the start of the test. If the ability of the Fire Damper Valves were assessed against the integrity criteria of BS 476: Part 20: 1987, the results could be expressed as follows: Test Result: Specimen A Specimen B Specimen C Specimen D Integrity 130 minutes* 130 minutes* 130 minutes* 130 minutes* *The test was discontinued after a period of 130 minutes. Date of Test 15 th April 2008 This report may only be reproduced in full. Extracts or abridgements of reports shall not be published without permission of Bodycote warringtonfire.
Page 3 of 22 Signatories Responsible Officer S. Gilfedder* Testing Officer Approved A. Kearns* Technical Manager * For and on behalf of Bodycote warringtonfire. Report Issued Date : 23 rd June 2008 : Correction of test sponsors company name and address, pages 1, 2 and 5 (21 st July 2008) This copy has been produced from a.pdf format electronic file that has been provided by Bodycote warringtonfire to the sponsor of the report and must only be reproduced in full. Extracts or abridgements of reports must not be published without permission of Bodycote warringtonfire. The original signed paper version of this report is the sole authentic version. Only original paper versions of this report bear authentic signatures of the responsible Bodycote warringtonfire staff.
Page 4 of 22 CONTENTS PAGE NO. SUMMARY... 2 SIGNATORIES... 3 TEST PROCEDURE... 5 TEST SPECIMEN... 6 SCHEDULE OF COMPONENTS... 10 INSTRUMENTATION... 12 TEST OBSERVATIONS... 13 TEST PHOTOGRAPHS... 15 TEMPERATURE DATA... 18 PERFORMANCE CRITERIA AND TEST RESULTS... 21 ONGOING IMPLICATIONS... 21 CONCLUSIONS... 22
Page 5 of 22 Test Procedure Introduction The specimens were uninsulated air valves, the test was conducted utilising the general principles and test methodology of BS 476: Part 20: 1987. 'Methods for determination of the fire resistance of elements of construction (general principles)'. Fire Test Study Group/EGOLF Instruction to test Test Specimen Construction Installation Sampling Conditioning Certain aspects of some fire test specifications are open to different interpretations. The Fire Test Study Group and EGOLF have identified a number of such areas and have agreed Resolutions which define common agreement of interpretations between fire test laboratories which are members of the Groups. Where such Resolutions are applicable to this test they have been followed. The test was conducted on the 15 th February 2008 on behalf of Lindab Ventilation AB, the sponsor of the test. The test was witnessed by Mr. M. Kimber, representative of the test sponsor. A comprehensive description of the test construction is given in the Schedule of Components. The description is based on a detailed survey of the specimen and information supplied by the sponsor of the test. The wall construction was supplied by Bodycote warringtonfire. The Fire Damper Air Valves were installed by representatives of the sponsor on the 10 th April 2008 Bodycote warringtonfire was not involved in any selection or sampling procedures for the tested specimen. The specimens storage, construction, and test preparation took place in the test laboratory over a total, combined time of 6 days. Throughout this period of time both the temperature and the humidity of the laboratory were measured and recorded as being within a range of from 9ºC to 20ºC and 36% to 71% respectively.
Page 6 of 22 Test Specimen Figure 1- General Elevation of Test Specimen and Unexposed Face Thermocouples FIRE for specimens 'B' and 'D' 1000 4 5 11 6 7 12 FIRE 14 'D' 'C' 8 GENERAL ELEVATION SECTION 10 'B' 'A' for specimens 'A' and 'C' 1000 13 122 specimen restraint frame 440 440 Do not scale. All dimensions are in mm
Page 7 of 22 Figure 2 Typical Section Through Specimens A to D 2 1 3 50 mounting ring 4 5 300 duct 2 rivets duct sealed all around against partition with intumescent acrylic sealant 12.5 12.5 12.5 72 12.5 3 Do not scale. All dimensions are in mm
Page 8 of 22 Figure 3 Typical Details of Air Valve (item 1) adjustable nut spring fusible sleeve 70 C body assembly ring 'H' cone assembly sponge ring Ø'd' Ø'D' SPECIMEN REFERENCE 'A' & 'D' 'B' & 'C' CODE DIM 'D' DIM 'd' DIM 'H' KSUB 200 241 176 103 KSUB 100 134 87 89 Do not scale. All dimensions are in mm
Page 9 of 22 Figure 4 Typical Details of Mounting Ring (item 2) 50 5 OUTER DIA 'X' FLANGE DIA 'Y' SAFE EDGE SPECIMEN REFERENCE 'A' & 'D' 'B' & 'C' CODE DIM 'X' DIM 'Y' VRGL 200 200 225 VRGL 100 100 125 Do not scale. All dimensions are in mm
Page 10 of 22 Schedule of Components (Refer to Figures 1 to 4) (All values are nominal unless stated otherwise) (All other details are as stated by the sponsor) Item Description 1. Air Valve Manufacturer : Lindab Ventilation AB Reference i. specimen A and D : KSUB 200 ii. specimen C and B : KSUB 100 Material : Galvanised mild steel Thickness : 0.8 mm Overall sizes : See Figure 3 Finish to Body and Cone Assembly : Powder coated paint (colour, white) 2. Mounting Ring Manufacturer : Lindab Ventilation AB Reference i. specimen A and D : VRGL 200 ii. specimen C and B : VRGL 100 Primary Material : Galvanised mild steel Thickness : 0.6 mm approximately Overall sizes : See Figure 4 Fixing method : Sandwiched between the air valve (item 1) and the duct (item 3) and fixed to duct using 3 no. steel rivets. 3. Duct Material : Galvanised mild steel Thickness : 0.7 mm approximately Overall length : 300 mm Overall diameter i. specimen A and D : 200 mm ii. specimen C and B : 100 mm Partition comprising of items 4 and 5 4. Framework Material : Knauf type steel channel Reference i. vertical studs : 70 C stud ii. top and bottom rail : 72 U channel Overall section size i. vertical studs : 70 mm wide x 45 mm deep ii. top and bottom rail : 72 mm wide x 25 mm deep Fixing method : Perimeter frame fixed to concrete restraint frame using steel screws into plastic plugs.
Page 11 of 22 5. Partition Boards Material : British Gypsum Plasterboard Thickness : 2 no. layers each 12.5 mm thick, at both faces of framework (item 4). Fixing method : Fixed to all framework members using 25 mm long screws (1 st layer) and 32 mm long screws (2 nd layer) at 250 mm centres. Aperture Sizes i. specimen A and D : 202 mm approximately ii. specimen C and B : 102 mm approximately
Page 12 of 22 Instrumentation General The instrumentation was provided in accordance with the requirements of the Standard. Furnace Thermocouple Allocation Roving Thermocouple Integrity Criteria Furnace Pressure Four thermocouples distributed over a plane 100 mm from the surface of the test construction were provided to monitor the temperature of the furnace atmosphere. Thermocouples were provided to monitor the unexposed surface temperature of the specimen. The locations and reference numbers of the various thermocouples are shown in Figure 1. A roving thermocouple was available to measure temperatures on the unexposed surface of the specimen at any position which might appear to be hotter than the temperatures indicated by the fixed thermocouples. Cotton pads and gap gauges were available to evaluate the integrity of the specimen. After the first five minutes of testing and for the remainder of the test, The pressure differential relative to the laboratory atmosphere at the lowest air valve specimen was 10 (±2) Pa.
Page 13 of 22 Test Observations Time All observations are from the unexposed face unless noted otherwise. mins secs The ambient air temperature in the vicinity of the test construction was 13 C at the start of the test with a maximum variation of 2 C during the test. 00 00 The test commences. 05 38 Smoke release starts from the duct on specimen A. 05 45 Specimen B closes 06 06 Specimen A closes 06 50 Specimen D closes 07 47 Specimen C closes 08 17 The central cone of Specimen A is discoloured, the paint starts to blister. 10 14 Smoke issues from the ductwork on specimens A & C. The specimens B & D start to discolour and slight smoke release is visible. 11 00 Viewed from the exposed side, specimens A & C are discoloured and the paint finish has almost all burnt away. 13 00 Smoke release increases from the end of the duct on Specimen C. The central cone of Specimen D is now discoloured dark brown. 21 00 Specimen A starts to glow when viewed from the open end of the ducting. The central cone of Specimen D is now almost black and the central cone of Specimen B is discoloured dark brown. 26 00 Smoke release starts to increase around Specimen B, the partition starts to discolour adjacent to air valve. 31 00 The partition continues to discolour adjacent to Specimen B, smoke release is also visible around the perimeter of Specimen B. Specimen A now glows bright orange when viewed from the open end of the ducting. 33 00 Viewed from the exposed side all the air valves and ducting remain in place. 38 00 Smoke release has reduced from specimens A and C. The centre of Specimen C now glows orange when viewed from the open end of the ducting. 54 00 The partition continues to discolour around Specimen B
Page 14 of 22 Time mins secs 67 00 Specimens A and C glow bright orange, viewed from the open end of the ducting. The outer body of Specimen D is now discoloured black / brown. The partition continues to discolour around Specimen B. Viewed from the exposed side all the air valves and ducting remain in place. 73 00 Smoke release and some discolouration of the partition is now visible around Specimen D. 83 00 It is now just possible to see a small gap at the top of the damper A where the central cone seats into the air valve body, the gap is approximately 2 mm. 91 00 The top of the central cone on Specimen D starts to glow a dull orange. 101 00 It is now possible to see glowing at the top of Specimen D, the central cone has dropped slightly. 111 16 The gap at the top of Specimen A is tested with a 6 mm gap gauge unable to penetrate. 118 50 The gap at the top of Specimen A is tested with a 6 mm gap gauge unable to penetrate. 122 00 The gap at the top of Specimen A is tested with a 6 mm gap gauge unable to penetrate. 128 00 Glowing at the top of Specimen D starts to increase. 129 00 Viewed from the exposed side all the dampers and air valves are still in place. 129 30 Unable to penetrate the gap at the top of Specimen A with the 6 mm gap gauge. 130 00 The test is discontinued at the sponsors request.
Page 15 of 22 Test Photographs The specimens prior to testing The specimen after 30 minutes of testing
Page 16 of 22 The specimens after 30 minutes of testing The specimens after 90 minutes of testing
Page 17 of 22 The specimens after 130 minutes of testing The exposed face of the test construction immediately after the test
Page 18 of 22 Temperature Data Actual air temperature, together with the temperature/time relationship specified in the Standard Time Specified Actual Furnace Furnace Mins Temperature Temperature Deg. C Deg. C 0 20 15 5 576 587 10 678 669 15 739 736 20 781 775 25 815 816 30 842 845 35 865 871 40 885 885 45 902 905 50 918 917 55 932 930 60 945 949 65 957 953 70 968 959 75 979 979 80 988 1004 85 997 1005 90 1006 1013 95 1014 1018 100 1022 1020 105 1029 1027 110 1036 1033 115 1043 1043 120 1049 1047 125 1055 1045 130 1061 1058
Page 19 of 22 Individual temperatures recorded on the unexposed surface on and adjacent to each specimen Time T/C T/C T/C T/C T/C T/C T/C T/C Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Mins 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 Deg. C Deg. C Deg. C Deg. C Deg. C Deg. C Deg. C Deg. C 0 12 9 13 15 14 12 12 12 5 13 30 13 18 15 49 13 71 10 16 98 15 67 23 239 22 268 15 27 136 24 108 58 323 44 388 20 45 167 43 137 75 347 75 420 25 59 188 59 159 84 373 88 420 30 67 212 68 171 93 382 92 421 35 73 237 74 188 99 391 99 424 40 76 254 78 212 101 396 105 445 45 79 263 81 220 105 402 108 * 50 82 274 83 226 103 402 113 55 85 292 87 233 103 411 116 60 89 302 91 243 104 * 118 65 93 313 94 250 107 119 70 97 326 97 257 111 122 75 100 335 100 263 119 125 80 104 345 103 269 120 128 85 110 348 106 275 123 133 90 113 365 110 280 131 151 95 117 373 111 284 136 177 100 121 380 115 288 144 209 105 126 374 118 293 169 231 110 131 366 121 299 191 249 115 140 377 124 305 215 263 120 161 385 130 311 234 272 125 181 392 137 316 255 275 130 200 402 153 323 262 274 *Thermocouple Malfunction
Page 20 of 22 Graph showing mean air temperature, together with the temperature/time relationship specified in the Standard 1200 1000 800 Temperature - Deg. C 600 Specified Furnace Temperature Deg. C Actual Furnace Temperature Deg. C 400 200 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Time - Minutes
Page 21 of 22 Performance Criteria and Test Results Integrity It is required that there is no collapse of the specimen, no sustained flaming on the unexposed surface and no loss of impermeability. These requirements were satisfied for the periods shown below: Test Result: Specimen A Specimen B Specimen C Specimen D Integrity 130 minutes* 130 minutes* 130 minutes* 130 minutes* *The test was discontinued after a period of 130 minutes. Ongoing Implications Limitations The result relates only to the behaviour of the Air Valve assemblies under the particular conditions of test. They are not intended to be the sole criterion for assessing the potential fire performance of the elements in use, nor do they reflect the actual behaviour in fires. The test result relates only to the specimen tested. Appendix A of BS 476: Part 20: 1987 provides guidance information on the application of fire resistance tests and the interpretation of test data. Application of the result to ducts of different dimensions or supported in any other manner or incorporating different components should be the subject of a design appraisal. Review This report covers a test which was conducted to a procedure which is not the subject of any British Standard specification, but the test utilised the general principles of fire resistance testing given in BS 476: Part 20: 1987. Since fire tests are the subject of a continuing Standardisation process, and because existing standards are the subject of review and possible amendment and new interpretations, it is recommended that the report be referred back to the test laboratory after a period of two years to ensure that the methodology adopted and the results obtained remain valid in the light of the situation prevailing at that time.
Page 22 of 22 Conclusions Evaluation against objective Four specimens of Uninsulated Air Valves have been subjected to a fire resistance test utilising the general principles and methodology of BS 476: Part 20: 1987. If the specimens were to be assessed against the integrity performance requirements specified in BS 476: Part 20: 1987, the results could be expressed as follows: Test Result: Specimen A Specimen B Specimen C Specimen D Integrity 130 minutes* 130 minutes* 130 minutes* 130 minutes* *The test was discontinued after a period of 130 minutes.
Bodycote warringtonfire Head Office Holmesfield Road Warrington Cheshire WA1 2DS United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1925 655 116 Fax: +44 (0) 1925 655 419 Email: Info@warringtonfire.net Website: www.warringtonfire.net