Fire Protection of Fan Enclosures
Ducts are commonly installed with fans used either for smoke exhaust/control or air pressurization/supply. Ducts and fan enclosures, often spread across multiple floors and zones, makes it challenging to ensure comprehensive fire protection.
Fire Protection of Fan Enclosures:
Ducts and fan enclosures, often spread across multiple floors and zones, makes it challenging to ensure comprehensive fire protection.
Fire Protection of Fan Enclosures
Ducts and fan enclosures, often spread across multiple floors and zones, makes it challenging to ensure comprehensive fire protection.
Passive Fire Protection for Fan Enclosures and Duct Systems
FyreWrap is a flexible fireproofing material making it ideal for protection of smoke exhaust/control or air pressurization/supply fans.
The system is simple to install and provides safe and compliant protection.
Fire Protection of Duct Work and Fan Enclosures:
Challenges and Considerations
Why use FyreWrap?
FyreWrap is a flexible fireproofing material making it ideal for protection of smoke exhaust/control or air pressurization/supply fans.
To understand why FyreWrap is the ideal system solution for protecting these control fans, especially axial fans, we must understand the issues and
challenges associated with the protection of these fans.
Amongst the numerous considerations, there are three main issues:
- Access
- Vibration and sound
- Shape of the duct
FyreWrap provides access:
To gain access to the fans, whether it be for maintenance testing, or servicing reasons, the fan enclosure must have an easy point of access. This point of access must also be fire rated and not be a weak point in the enclosure system.
Using FyreWrap to protect your fans allows you to use FyreWrap Access Panels. These access panels can be incorporated into the FyreWrap assembly and provide an easy and simple point of access to all critical machinery under the enclosure. Please the technical drawing below for clarification.
FyreWrap protects against vibrations and sound:
Smoke control fans, especially axial fans, vibrate significantly when turned on. This also includes the ductwork attached to the fan.
As a result of this vibration and axial displacement, the fan needs flexible connections to attach it to the rest of the ductwork. These flexible connections also provide movement that must be considered.
All this movement means that using a spray type protection is not viable. The hardened spray material will loosen and fall off when the fan is turned on, due to the extreme vibrations.
Additionally, when turned on, the fans are very loud.
Therefore, you need a solution which can withstand the movement and dampen the sound. FyreWrap does both!
Due to its flexible nature, a properly installed and compliant FyreWrap system can handle the vibrations of a smoke control fan and dampen its sound.
Example of an axial fan:
FyreWrap can be used for both circular/round and square ducts:
FyreWrap can be used to protect both circular and square ducts. This also includes smoke control systems which transition from square ductwork into circular fans.
Why is smoke control so important?
Smoke Control in buildings is a requirement of both the NCC & AS/NZS1668.1.
Whether it be a smoke exhaust system, stair, corridor or zone pressurisation system, the fans and ductwork must operate when the building is in fire mode.
The intricate network of ducts and fan enclosures, often spread across multiple floors and zones, makes it challenging to ensure comprehensive fire protection. Each section of the ductwork can have different requirements based on its location and function.
We must ensure the fans continue to operate during a fire, so if they are not located in a fire rated plant room, the fan will need its own fireproofing to make sure it continues to operate during the fire.
FyreWrap is the perfect product for protection of fans and ductwork as it provides a full FRL and is flexible.
Ducts and fan enclosures must be able to withstand high temperatures and prevent the spread of smoke, which can be just as dangerous as the flames. Effective fire protection must include measures to contain and control smoke, ensuring safe evacuation routes and protecting critical infrastructure.
Compliance with standards, such as AS 1530.4 and AS/NZS1668.1is essential.
AS/NZS1668.1 specifically sets out the requirements for air-handling systems to reduce smoke spread from an area affected by fire to other areas of the building.
Please see the diagram for paths of potential smoke leakage when the central system is not running.
Systems
FyreWrap® is the leading passive fire protection solution for commercial ductwork.
The system is simple to install and provides safe and compliant protection in a range of applications.
Fire Rated Access Panels for Ducts
Get quick and easy access to ducts that are protected by the FyreWrap® and FyreSPRAY Systems.
The patented design allows for easy installation and uses and with various stock and custom sizes available.
Looking for something else? Check out the rest of our systems today.
Resources
We’re proud to be making passive fire protection easier every single day. Our extensive range of resources have been written, developed, or sourced by Trafalgar Fire’s experienced team of passive fire professionals to help you better understand our systems, products, and the passive fire industry as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Trafalgar Fire, we’re dedicated to making passive fire easier for you. To save you some time, we’ve answered a collection of Frequently Asked Questions about HVAC&R service penetrations and ductwork.
If you have any additional questions, our Technical Team are here to help.
TWRAP™ (or FyreWrap®) will need to be wrapped around the FyreBOX™ to achieve an insulation rating. Contact Trafalgar Fire for installation details and refer to our YouTube channel for installation videos.
Yes, refer to the FyrePEX HP Technical Manual for details on approved cables.
Yes, intumescent sealants require the perfect volume of sealant to expand and perform appropriately.
Using FyreSHEATH removes the need for larger openings.
