- Author
- Issen, L. A.
- Title
- Report of Fire Tests on Flexible Connectors in HVAC Systems. Final Report.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- NBSIR 73-267, July 1973, 56 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- aluminum | fabrics | fire tests | high rise buildings | heating | ventilation | air conditioning | steels
- Abstract
- The contemporary high rise building with its control air conditioning system and high content of synthetic materials presents a higher hazard than those erected prior to 1950. The ability of the duct work to resist fire breaking into it and spreading through the duct system is an important factor affecting the integrity of the building. Since they penetrate fire barriers, the flexible connectors between the main ducts and the terminal units are important elements in maintaining the desired fire resistance. Flexible connectors made of four different materials (aluminum, galvanized steel, felted fiberglass and woven fiberglass fabric) and two attachment techniques were subjected to fire tests in accordance with ASTM E119. The results show that the materials of the connectors must withstand the fire exposure, the connectors must remain tightly attached to the main duct, and the penetrations through the fire barrier must be suitably blocked in order to prevent fire from breaking into the duct system. The tests also showed that rubber and plastic materials in the terminal units can produce significant amounts of irritating smoke.