Installation systems: Approved fixing of pipelines.

Tested and approved pipeline fixings for technical building services

Now, fischer can have European Technical Assessments (ETA) completed for approved pipeline fixing products with CE marks in addition to previous expert reports for fire-tested mounting channels and pipe clamp fixings, based on the European Assessment Document (EAD) 280016-00-0602 modified by fischer.

Expert report for fire-tested mounting channels

Approved fire protection based on the European Technical Assessments (ETA) is the future

fischer has worked with research partners and partners from national approval bodies to update the European Assessment Document (EAD 280016-00-0602) for pipeline support systems issued by the Deutschen Institut für Bautechnik (DIBt), and optimise the document in relation to fire protection. Each product installed in a pipeline support system was tested and evaluated, then this information was transferred into a European Technical Assessment (ETA). Since fischer has already completed testing similar to the specifications of the EAD over the last few decades, much data from past testing could be used as the basis for the EAD assessment.

fischer fire-safe pipeline fixings – tested and approved

The first ETA issued for fischer mounting channels FUS (ETA 21-0140), based on EAD 280016-00-0602, serves as the foundation for an innovative type of dimensioning in installation systems for technical building services.
This dimensioning process, which is facilitated by software-supported simulation, supports and optimises the design of fixings used for pipeline installations in escape and rescue routes as well, and therefore guarantees functional preventative fire protection.
The existing expert assessments from fischer remain valid. Further ETA assessments for the fischer assortment are currently being completed, and will follow at a later date.

Advantages for planners and users from future available ETA assessments in detail:

Mounting channels can be simulated in case of a fire with as many pipeline support configurations as desired.
The deformation processes and failure characteristics for pipeline support systems in case of a fire are tested and clearly regulated.
In Germany, pipeline systems can be optimally dimensioned using the ETA according to the MLAR.
Dimensioning is a tool for designing safe escape and rescue routes throughout Europe and around the world.
The configurations can be changed quickly, flexibly and inexpensively at any time.
All products used will have a CE mark in the future, which will make the overall configuration into an approved application.
Dimensioning of the pipeline support systems at room temperature is also integrated into the approval.

Expert assessments and other approval marks.

Preventative fire protection saves lives

The overarching protective goal of fire protection is protecting human lives. This is regulated in the building codes of different countries, and is implemented by structural fire protection measures such as fire walls or escape and rescue routes.

Is dimensioning of thin-wall mounting channels possible under Eurocode 3, or not?

Eurocode 3 applies to dimensioning of steelwork supporting structures in case of a fire. The components used in steelwork have much thicker material than that used in the mounting channels for pipeline systems or pipeline support systems. The failure characteristics and resistance of thin-wall mounting rails in case of a fire, therefore, differ greatly.
The following graphic of a verification test compares the actual deformation of a thin-wall pipeline support system with mounting channels calculated in accordance with Eurocode 3 with solid steelwork in case of a fire (figure 2). With the load selected here, the actual deformation after 30 minutes is greater by a factor of 2, and greater by a factor of 6.5 after 60 minutes, than that calculated in accordance with Eurocode 3. This fact is taken into consideration in the ETA. It is based on the actual deformation – not on the standard support structure dimensioning of steelwork in case of a fire under Eurocode 3.

Escape and rescue routes are preventative structural fire protection measures

Escape and rescue routes, such as corridors, stairwells, hallways between stairwells and outside exits, ensure that personnel can be rescued within a defined time period in case of a fire. The corridors are designed as a kind of “rescue tunnel” with a set fire resistance time. The installations above these corridors may not damage this “rescue tunnel” if there is a fire, meaning the suspended ceiling with fire resistance duration, within the set time period.

In Germany, this is regulated based on the Muster-Leitungsanlagen-Richtlinie 2015 (MLAR 2015 - Model pipeline system directive 2015). The core stipulation is that a minimum spacing “min a” of 50 mm must be ensured between installed pipelines and the suspended ceiling. This means that a certain amount of thermal deformation is expected and facilitated in the pipeline systems and their fixings.