ES2369969B1 - Fire protection system for electrical wiring and installation procedure. - Google Patents

Abstract

Fire protection system for electrical wiring applicable to cables or groups of cables, incorporated or not in a tray, which can incorporate a steel mesh with an insulating blanket that covers the wiring throughout its length, defining the connection between the blankets themselves and adjacent or adjacent blankets a transverse and / or longitudinal joints, preferably sealed by silicone. The system is also equipped with ventilation and registration means.

Description

Fire protection system for electrical wiring and installation procedure. Object of the invention

The invention, fire protection system for electrical wiring, and installation procedure thereof, refers to a cover system to protect the wiring in case of fire of the installation in which the wiring is located, as well as the procedure for the installation of it.

In particular, the object of the invention is focused on a cable coverage system, particularly for power, signal or communications cables, used for the wiring of the different electrically powered systems whose operation during a fire are decisive to minimize the damage of the same in the affected building, infrastructure or industry. The protection system is designed as a passive / preventive protection system to reduce the impact of fire on the electrical wiring in the first moments of a fire, so that the power supply of the different systems is preserved as long as possible. Another object of the present invention is the installation procedure of said protection system.

The field of application of the present invention falls within the technical sector of the industry dedicated to the installation of passive fire protection systems, and in particular in the protection against the action of a possible hydrocarbon fire. Background of the invention

As is known, cables (force or signal) require protection for proper operation when a fire occurs, especially to enable the activation of valves, actuators, smoke extraction systems, automatic fire protection systems. and other devices necessary to reduce damage or limit a chain fire spread.

To date, fire protection of this type of cables has been carried out, generally, by rigid plates, for example dephrosilicate, which have the disadvantage of causing installation difficulties as well as an inadequate weather resistance, which raises questions about its long-term operation in the event of a real fire situation.

Specifically, the main disadvantages of this type of protection cover are that the plates are rigid, which causes the difficulty in their installation to ensure that the joints between them are perfectly sealed, which results in a laborious and complex assembly resulting in a system whose operation is highly conditioned by labor. In addition, because the rigid plates usually have organic binders, they must be covered with a layer of protective paint to prevent the environment from degrading the material, in particular if said plates are outdoors, thus forcing periodic maintenance of The entire wiring protection system. The high weight of the rigid plates or deformations in the supports of the trays, produce deformations in the tray itself, so that since it is the mechanical support of the protection system itself, they transmit tensile, fl exion and torsion forces to the protection system. that the plate is not able to absorb. For this reason, the protection system is destroyed by the weakest part, which corresponds to the joints, causing the system to open in these places.

or points and thus disabling the protection system for the intended purpose.

In addition to the above, the applicant is aware that in the state of the art there are protection systems for wiring composed of a tray in which the cables are arranged and that it is wrapped by a flexible insulating material in the form of a blanket, at its once encapsulated in a layer of aluminum or other material. Said materials in the form of a blanket are arranged by wrapping the tray and the cables contained therein, and is held on said tray by means of fl axes, flanges, wires or others that wrap the blanket to secure it.

However, it should be noted that the systems described above have important drawbacks, such as that the joints created between the main components of the fire-retardant protection system, phyllosilicate plates or fire-retardant blankets, do not ensure their watertightness to water or fire.

Likewise, these systems do not contemplate the existence of a practicable, reusable and fire-resistant register for the inspection or installation of future cables in the tray, nor do they incorporate any practical ventilation system that avoids temperature increases inside the interior of the tray, temperature increases that are common in electrical wiring.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention describes an electrical wiring protection system and an installation procedure thereof, to avoid the inconveniences existing in the systems used in the state of the art. Explanation of the invention.

In view of the above problem, a first object of the present invention is a fire protection system for the wiring of an installation, for application on a cable, cables or groups of cables, arranged in a metal tray or not, which is they cover with a steel mesh or not, and that is externally covered with at least one flexible insulating material in the form of a blanket (hereinafter blanket), preferably with ceramic or flame retardant characteristics, fixed around the wiring by overlapping the ends of said blanket or the superposition of two blankets. In this way, in case of deformation of the tray, the joint is secured because it is a flexible material and admits the joint, without losing tightness, relative displacements between the overlap blankets of up to 75 mm Different superimposed blankets are arranged to cover the complete route of the electrical wiring, sealing, when the wiring is subjected to inclement weather, the overlaps between the same blanket and the overlays between blankets with a non-fl ammable intumescent silicone that does not double its volume more than 50% at temperatures above 1500 ° C. By sealing the overlaps with intumescent silicone, the sealing of the joints between the blankets is achieved, preventing both the entry of water and the heat generated by the fire in case of fire. The intumescence of the silicone allows its expansion with heat, ensures the seal of the joint, but does not open the joint due to the characteristics of the silicone. It, once it has reached its maximum volume, begins to crystallize at 600 ° C, and resists without degrading when it is subjected to 1100 ° C for at least 30 minutes.

Likewise, the wiring protection system, object of the present application, is equipped with a ventilation system using grilles that, by preventing temperature increases, ensures normal operation of the wiring and therefore of the electrical installation. Said gratings are preferably made of intumescent material, although it is also possible to arrange other types of gratings provided they are fire resistant. These gratings are modified by finishing their perimeter with a metal frame that is fixed to a metal support that is installed on the tray. fixing it to this. The blanket is placed on this grid making a hole to suit that and sealing the joint between blanket and grid using flame retardant silicone. In this way, under fire conditions and at temperatures of approximately 150 ° C, the grid expands, thanks to the metal frame that is incorporated into the grid, said expansion is not transmitted to the rest of the cover, especially the blanket and does not deform the set, since otherwise it would cause the appearance of cracks or breakage mainly in the joints between the grid and the blanket, so that the tightness of the system against water and fire is maintained. On the other hand, the metal frame reinforces the concentration of the intumescence towards the inside of the grid and is manufactured in such a way that it does not create thermal bridges between the interior and the exterior as it is constructed in two unconnected parts.

The ventilation grilles are arranged three-way, that is to say, alternating their situation along the surfaces of the protection system. When said grilles are placed on the upper surface of the system, a cap, roof, or roof is arranged to prevent water from entering.

At the same time, the proposed system has registration means located every certain distance, and that allow easy and practical inspections or other actions on the electrical wiring system, such as the introduction of new wiring. For this, every certain number of meters, according to the needs and dimensions of the installation, metal frames are arranged that are incorporated on a hole made for this purpose in the blanket and in the mesh. Said frame is covered with a second layer of ceramic blanket and is fixed, for example by removable fl axes, but without being sealed to allow its opening, said lack of sealing being compensated with an oversize of the blanket with respect to the hole made in the blanket.

The incorporation of the silicone is useful not only for sealing the blankets with each other, but also for sealing these blankets with beams or other elements to overcome that are interspersed in the layout of the installation.

A second object of the present application is a procedure for installing the protection system described above.

A protection system such as that described, that is, a wiring protection system surrounded by a flexible insulating material in the form of a blanket, can be installed either on cables, groups or harnesses of cables, or cable trays.

Usually, although not required, the wiring will run on a metal tray, which can be placed outdoors or not. If the tray is placed outdoors, and to provide the assembly with a certain stiffness as well as to ensure water runoff on the assembly, a metal mesh covering said tray is arranged on said tray, the mesh being able to be fixed to the tray or no. Said mesh can have different forms mainly depending on where it is desired that the water falls, to two waters or to a water.

For the installation of the blanket, two different modes can be followed. In a first way sections of blanket are cut that allow to wrap the tray or wiring transversely, ensuring a single overlap in the longitudinal joint, and applying in this joint an intumescent silicone as described above to ensure the tightness of the system, mainly in wiring arranged in the open. The next section of blanket is installed in the same way as the first but overlapping this section over the first. On these new gaskets it is also possible, and convenient, to seal the gasket with silicone.

The second mode of installation consists in the provision of a complete blanket on the underside of the tray or wiring and in its longitudinal direction, so that the sides of the blanket cover the sides of the tray or wiring. Subsequently, a complete blanket is arranged on the upper face of the tray or wiring and in its longitudinal direction, so that two joints are created by the overlap of the two blankets. As in the previous installation mode, intumescent silicone is applied to each joint to ensure the system's tightness, mainly in weathering wiring. The following blankets are installed in the same way as the first two but overlapping the following over the first two. On these new gaskets it is also possible, and convenient, to seal the gasket with silicone.

An alternative to the overlapping of blankets or stretches of blankets is to place two blankets facing laterally, to the head, without overlapping, and to arrange an outer blanket over the joint, covering said joint by overlapping, also applying silicone in said overlapping.

Once the blankets are placed, and to ensure their position, mechanical fastening means are arranged, such as fl axes, flanges, wires or other equivalents, which fix these blankets to the wiring or tray.

It should also be noted that the supports and supports that mechanically support the trays or wiring, must also be protected against fire, protection that will be carried out prior to the installation of the tray protection system

or wiring Mainly said protection consists in covering and fastening a flexible insulating material in the form of a blanket around the support or support, mainly by means of fl axes, and if it is necessary to use intumescent silicone to seal the joints. Once the supports and supports are protected, the shelves or wiring are protected according to the methods described above.

Once the protection system of the different components is installed, the ventilation means and the recording means are carried out on the surface of the fireproof blanket with the conditions described above.

For the installation of the ventilation means a hole of concrete dimensions is practiced on the blanket so that the wiring is in direct contact with the atmosphere, occupying said hole with a grid, preferably of an intumescent material, which is surrounded by a material metal. Said ventilation means are arranged three-way on the surfaces of the protection system.

For the installation of the recording means, a procedure similar to the previous one is followed, but instead of placing a grid in the practiced hole, a metal frame is placed along the perimeter. To cover said recording means, it uses a second layer of ceramic blanket and is fixed, for example by removable fl axes, but this is not sealed to allow its opening, compensating said lack of sealing with an oversize of the blanket with respect to the practiced hole on the blanket Description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of figures with an illustrative and non-limiting nature is attached to the present specification.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a wiring installation portion, consisting of a group of cables housed in a tray, to which an example of the protection cover object of the invention has been incorporated, having been represented with sections of blanket joined transversely and partially sectioned to appreciate in it the main parts and elements that it comprises, as well as the configuration and arrangement thereof.

Figure number 2 represents a perspective view similar to that shown in the previous figure, in this case with an example in which the blanket pieces are joined longitudinally. Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed therein, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

Thus, as seen in these figures, the fire protection system for electrical wiring proposed by the invention is applied to cables or groups of electrical cables (1) incorporated in a tray (2), which in this example is covered by a steel mesh (3) on which a cover of flexible insulating material or blanket, preferably ceramic, is incorporated, (4) that externally wraps the assembly along the entire length of the wiring, which in practice usually varies between 40 m and 20 km, although obviously any distance can be covered by this system, however small or large it may be. Obviously, depending on the length of the wiring it will be necessary to use more than one blanket (4). The dimensions of the blankets may be different depending on the wiring path to be covered and the mounting conditions.

The insulating blankets (4) to be used are, in the case of using blankets with mineral fiber inside preferably preferably of 128 Kg / m3 and a thickness of 2 ”, presenting in the superposition of adjacent or adjacent blankets or in the overlapping of the same blanket, transverse joints (5) (Figure 1) and / or longitudinal (Figure 2), according to its arrangement, and being fixed at more or less regular intervals by means of mechanical fixing means, such as fixed fl axes or flanges

or equivalent elements (6). Said gaskets (5) are sealed with a system that ensures their sealing, comprising, on the one hand, an overlap of at least 75 mm between adjacent or adjacent blankets (4), as well as the incorporation of silicone flame retardant and intumescent, specifically silicone of the type whose expansion does not double its volume at temperatures above 150 ° C, in order to prevent the joints from being opened with its expansion, and of the type of silicone that crystallizes at 600 ° C and does not degrade during less, 30 minutes at 1100 ° C. The incorporation of this silicone will also serve to seal the blankets (4) with each other (5), to join it with beams or other elements to be overcome that are interspersed in the layout of the installation. Ensuring said tightness prevents wiring from being affected by weather conditions when said wiring is located outside, and that heat or fire directly affects the wiring when it is well outside

or inside.

The proposed protection system, in addition, is equipped with ventilation means to avoid temperature increases but which, in case of fire, is sealed. Said ventilation means comprise ventilation grids (7) of intumescent material, which are topped with a metal frame (8) that is fixed to the ceramic blanket (4) by the same type of aforementioned flame retardant silicone used for seals (5) of the blanket pieces. Thus, when a fire situation occurs, the intumescent material of the grilles (7) expands closing the ventilation, but thanks to the metal frame (8), said expansion is not transmitted to the blanket and the set is not deformed. preferably made with intumescent material, although it is also possible to arrange other types of gratings provided they are fire resistant. These ventilation grilles (7) are arranged distributed throughout the installation, preferably three-leg, and can be incorporated both in the upper part, as well as in the lateral ones, as in the lower part of the protection system. However, when placed at the top, as shown in the example in Figure 1, the grilles incorporate a hood or roof or roof (9) that prevents water from entering.

The protection system described here also has registration means to carry out inspections or other actions on the cables, said means being located every certain number of meters, according to the needs and dimensions of the installation, at least every 20 m, and comprising registration gaps (10), preferably 400 mm x 400 mm, made therein, that is, in the ceramic blanket (4) and in the mesh (3), which are topped perimetrically by metal edges (11) . Said registration gaps (10) are covered with a second ceramic blanket (12) that is fixed by removable fl axes (13) being constituted as a practicable cover (12), the size of said cover being

(12)

noticeably larger than the greater side of the hole

(10)

of registration covering to replace the lack of sealing with the ceramic blanket (4) below, the width of said blanket being at least 1100 mm compared to 400 mm of the registration gap.

The fire protection system for wiring is installed following the following procedure:

-

First, at least one section of a flexible insulating material or flame retardant blanket is placed on the supports or supports of the wiring so that they are completely covered.

-

Subsequently, at least one section of a flexible insulating material or fire blanket is placed around the wiring,

-

Next, the joints created between the sections of flexible insulating material with an intumescent silicone are sealed, and

-

Finally, the mechanical fixing means, preferably fl axes, are placed around the sections of insulating flexible material or fireproof blankets.

It should be noted that said wiring can be arranged inside a metal tray, which is mechanically supported by the supports or supports, and a metal mesh can be arranged on said tray that will stiffen the assembly formed by the tray and the wiring. If the wiring is arranged inside a tray, the installation of the fire blanket to cover said tray will be carried out after covering the supports or supports of the same.

There are at least two ways to cover the wiring

or tray with the flame retardant blanket, in a first mode, at least one section of blanket transversely wraps the wiring or tray, ensuring a single overlap in the longitudinal joint. After installation, said joint will be sealed with an intumescent resin. A second alternative way to cover the tray or wiring is to arrange a complete blanket on the underside of the tray or wiring and in its longitudinal direction, so that the sides of the blanket cover the sides of the tray or wiring, for later arrange a complete blanket on the upper side of the tray or wiring and in its longitudinal direction, so that two joints are created by the overlap of the two blankets.

When placing sections of blankets or additional blankets, to be installed after those previously installed, they overlap.

The installation conditions must meet the requirements described above for the protection system.

Once the protection system of the different components is installed, the ventilation means and the recording means are carried out on the surface of the fireproof blanket with the conditions described above.

For the installation of the ventilation means a hole of concrete dimensions is practiced on the blanket so that the wiring is in direct contact with the atmosphere, occupying said hole with a grid, preferably of an intumescent material, which is surrounded by a material metal. Said ventilation means are arranged three-way on the surfaces of the protection system.

For the installation of the recording means, a procedure similar to the previous one is followed, but instead of placing a grid in the practiced hole, a metal frame is placed along the perimeter. To cover said recording means, it uses a second layer of ceramic blanket and is fixed, for example by removable fl axes, but this is not sealed to allow its opening, compensating said lack of sealing with an oversize of the blanket with respect to the practiced hole on the blanket

Claims (18)

one.

Fire protection system for electrical wiring, of the type applicable to cables or groups of cables (1) used for the wiring of different electrically powered systems, said wiring being at least covered by at least one flexible insulating material or flame retardant blanket (4) , which covers the wiring along its entire length, characterized in that the blanket (4) overlaps with itself and / or overlaps with adjacent or adjacent blankets, de fi neing joints (5) sealed with intumescent non-fl amous silicone to ensure the tightness of the system and absorb said joints possible deformations without creating thermal bridge.

2.

System according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises ventilation means that prevent temperature increases in the wiring.

3.

System according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises recording means for carrying out inspections on the wiring.

Four.

System according to claim 2, characterized in that the ventilation means comprise at least one grid (7) of intumescent material surrounded by a metal frame with thermal bridge breakage

(8) which is fixed to the perforated blanket tailored to the grid and sealing the joint between the grid and the blanket (4) by means of a non-inflatable intumescent silicone such that said frame (8) absorbs the dilations of the intumescent material avoiding the transmission of You are on the blanket (4).

5.

System, according to claim 3, characterized in that the recording means comprise at least one hole made in the ceramic blanket (4) and topped perimeter by metal edges, being covered by a second fireproof ceramic blanket (12) fixed by means of removable mechanical fastening means (13) as a practicable cover.

6.

System according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing of the joints (5) comprises an overlap of at least 75 mm between the adjacent or adjacent ceramic blankets (4) that absorbs the possible deformations of the tray ensuring an insulated joint.

7.

System according to claim 1, characterized in that the intumescent and flame retardant silicone is of the type whose expansion does not double its volume at temperatures above 150 ° C, and of the type that crystallizes at 600 ° C and does not degrade for at least 30 minutes at 1100 ° C.

8.

System according to claim 5, characterized in that the second blanket (12) covering the hole

(10) has a width of at least 1100 mm compared to 400 mm of said hole, to replace the lack of silicone sealing.

9.

System, according to claim 4, characterized in that the ventilation grilles (7) are distributed three-way along the length of the wiring, having a cap or roof (9) when installed in an upper part of the system to avoid the water inlet

10.

Installation procedure of a fire protection system for wiring, of the type formed by at least one cable support or support

do and the wiring itself, characterized in that it comprises the following phases: a) Placing at least one section of a flexible insulating material or flame retardant blanket on the wiring supports or supports covering them completely, b) Placing at least one section of a flexible insulating material or fire blanket around the wiring, c) Sealing of the joints created between the sections of flexible insulating material with an intumescent silicone, and d) Placement of mechanical fastening means around the sections of flexible insulating material.

eleven.

Method, according to claim 10, characterized in that the wiring is arranged inside a metal tray, mechanically supported by the supports or supports, prior to placing said at least one section of flexible insulating material around the wiring.

12.

Method, according to claim 11, characterized in that once the wiring in the tray is arranged, a metal mesh is arranged on it to give rigidity to the assembly.

13.

Method, according to claims 10 to 12, characterized in that said at least one section of blanket transversely wraps the wiring or tray, ensuring a single overlap in the longitudinal joint.

14.

Method, according to claims 10 to 12, characterized in that a complete blanket is arranged on the underside of the tray or wiring and in its longitudinal direction, so that the sides of the blanket cover the sides of the tray or wiring, to subsequently arrange a complete blanket on the upper face of the tray or wiring and in its longitudinal direction, so that two joints are created by the overlap of the two blankets.

fifteen.

Method according to claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the sections of blanket or blankets installed below overlap those previously installed.

16.

Method, according to claim 10, characterized in that for the provision of ventilation means in the system, a hole of concrete dimensions is made on the blanket so that the wiring is in direct contact with the atmosphere, occupying said hole with a grid (7 ), preferably of an intumescent material, which is surrounded by a metallic material.

17.

Method, according to claim 10, characterized in that for the arrangement of the recording means in the system, an orifice of concrete dimensions is carried out on the blanket so that the wiring is in direct contact with the atmosphere, subsequently providing a metal frame at along the perimeter, and finally said registration means is covered by a section of a flexible insulating material or flame retardant blanket around the registration means fixed by the placement of mechanical fastening means.

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201190023 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 30.03.2011 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: See Additional Sheet RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

Documents cited Claims Affected

TO

JP 2004229454 A (FURUKAWA TECHNO MATERIAL CO LT) 12.08.2004, 1,6,10

summary; figures 3.4.

TO

ES 2253758 T3 (FLAME SEAL PRODUCTS INC) 01.06.2006, 1,6,10

figures 1-7

TO

US 2009 081435 A1 (GOTTFRIED SAMUEL et al.) 26.03.2009,

paragraph [0085]; figures 3.4.

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 09.06.2011

Examiner M. Pérez Moreno Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201190023 CLASSIFICATION OBJECT OF THE APPLICATION E04B1 / 94 (2006.01) F16L59 / 02 (2006.01) H02G3 / 04 (2006.01) Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) E04B, F16L, H02G Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC, wpi State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201190023 Date of Written Opinion: 09.06.2011 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201190023 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

JP 2004229454 A (FURUKAWA TECHNO MATERIAL CO LT) 12.08.2004

D02

ES 2253758 T3 (FLAME SEAL PRODUCTS INC) 06.06.2006

D03

US 2009 081435 A1 (GOTTFRIED SAMUEL et al.) 03.23.2009

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The first claim of the invention describes a fire protection system for electrical wiring, of the type applicable to cables or groups of cables used for wiring different electrically powered systems, said wiring being covered by a flexible insulating material or fireproof blanket that covers the wiring along its entire length, and it is characterized in that the blanket overlaps with it and can be superimposed with adjacent or adjacent blankets defining joints sealed with non-flammable intumescent silicone to ensure the system's tightness and absorb said joints possible deformations without creating thermal bridge . Of all the documents recovered from the state of the art, document D01 is considered to be the closest to the request being analyzed. Document D01 describes a laminated ceramic fiber blanket arranged in conjunction with another sheet of a heat insulating material. A sheet is thus obtained which is covered with a nonwoven material, obtaining a fireproof coating material. With this material, cable protection tubes are wrapped. And the whole set is wrapped with a steel plate. To secure the wrap, a velcro adhesive is used, the longitudinal edges of the wrap being overlapped one on top of the other. Document D02 describes a passive fire protection system. It consists of protecting the conduits or cable trays with a flexible multilayer material, which contains a series of layers of flame retardant material. This multilayer material is configured so that it provides carbon foam as a result of the expansion of intumescent materials that form folds in a normal state, but it expands with heat. Document D03 describes a fire, heat and high voltage proof wrap. The wrap includes a support layer selected from a group of woven, nonwoven, knitted or netted materials; and a layer against fire among others. Consequently, none of the documents cited, taken alone or in combination, reveals the invention as defined in claim 1 and the solution to the problem posed is considered to imply novelty and inventive activity, in accordance with articles 6 and 8 of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents State of the Art Report Page 4/4