FIRE PROTECTION OF KITCHEN HOOD EXHAUST DUCTS
ISSUE:
Availability of new fire rated insulating materials for grease laden ducts.
BACKGROUND:
VA Master Construction Specification section 15250 has been updated and
improved to include new high temperature, and noncombustible insulation
materials for grease laden ducts with the UL classification. The current
insulating material specified in the master specification for grease laden ducts,
calcium silicate, is not UL rated, and requires a fire rated enclosure, whenever
the ducts pass through a fire rated wall or rated ceiling/roof assembly. NFPA 96
describes where a fire rated enclosure is required around ducts. However,
calcium silicate insulation is being kept in the master specification for other
applications.
DISCUSSION:
Two manufacturers, 3M brand "FIREMASTER" (Telephone 1-800-328-1687,
and Unifrax brand "FyreWrap" (Telephone 716-278-3800) have high
temperature, noncombustible, insulation blanket materials, that are UL
classified and comply with NFPA 96. These blankets can be applied directly to
the ducts to provide one and two hour ratings and do not require a separate
enclosure. These two manufacturers are only examples. There are other
manufacturers listed by UL.
RECOMMENDATIONS/CONCLUSION:
1. VA Master Construction Specification section 15250 on insulation has been
updated to include UL fire rated insulating blankets in place of calcium silicate
block insulation for kitchen grease carrying ducts.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Contact Satish Sehgal at 202-565-5032, Kurt Knight @ 202-565-4980, Sat
Gupta @ 202-565-5268 or Ken Faulstich @ 202-273-5869.
23 May 1997
FM-187C-DA71
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