Soffi-Steel System earns FM approval as [HL]fire-resistant barrier[HL] for use with BlazeMaster CPVC pipe and fittings July 19, 2004—Until recently, Factory Mutual (FM) required BlazeMaster CPVC piping to be protected by a permanent, non-removable, fire resistant barrier when installed in FM insured properties. The use of the drop-in type of ceiling panels for protection of the BlazeMaster system was not allowed by FM.
These restrictions basically limited fire sprinkler retrofits of FM properties with BlazeMaster piping systems to the use of 3/8″ gypsum soffits for protection.
The Soffi-Steel system, produced by Grice Engineering Inc., is designed with a secure, snap-lock interfacing between surface anchored shield clips and the soffit edges. This renders the system permanent, only removed by the use of special tools. Over the years, the Soffi-Steel system had been successfully employed in numerous non-FM insured properties to cover and protect BlazeMaster piping systems with distinct benefits to the property owners. Several FM property owners as well as their fire sprinkler consulting engineers and BlazeMaster CPVC sales staff approached Grice Engineering Inc., with the idea of obtaining an FM Approval for the use of the Soffi-Steel product with the BlazeMaster CPVC system.
Factory Mutual Research staff were readily satisfied with the secure, snap-lock interfacing of the Soffi-Steel System which renders it virtually irremovable. More importantly, FM staff were concerned about the ability of the soffit to protect the BlazeMaster CPVC system from exposure to fire.
In order to address this FM designed and conducted numerous comprehensive full scale fire tests. The Soffi-Steel / BlazeMaster system successfully passed all the tests that Factory Mutual had specified.
On January 9, 2004, the final approval report was issued by Factory Mutual giving formal recognition of the Soffi-Steel System as a protective, fire resistant barrier for BlazeMaster CPVC pipe and fittings.
A copy of the Approval report is available from Grice Engineering Inc. upon request.
For more information, contact Soffi Steel.
