The installation of heating or water-supply pipe systems is always a challenge. Limited space, special loads and technical requirements like pipe diameters have to be considered by all planners and engineers. But there are other challenges when it comes to following fire compartmentation plans. As pipes are routed through fire rated walls or floors, they then need effective firestopping measures. 

As a result, it’s essential to correctly firestop pipes and quick solutions are often needed to pass inspections or building approvals. In many cases, these solutions are not possible because the pipes go through walls in ways not covered by approvals. This is because most approvals are for regular configurations. These situations can unfortunately lead to change requests, expensive replanning or complicated, additional  measures to correctly seal the penetrations.

The need for innovative firestop solutions in complex configurations

The Hilti Firestop Endless Collar CFS-C EL offers high flexibility for firestopping and is also specifically approved for difficult pipe configurations and many different plastic pipe materials and diameters. It comes in a single size and can be cut to different lengths, while fastening hooks can be fixed flexibly. This solution offers multiple variations for customers who are confronted with difficult jobsite situations. In addition, many complex applications using this product are actually approved and clearly described in the European Technical Assessment (ETA). Some of these are described below. 

Bent / elbow pipes
This is the a common application for wastewater systems through floors or walls. The major problem is limited space in which to fix a regular collar. In these cases, the Hilti Firestop Endless Collar CFS-C EL offers is invaluable for all M&E engineers. The sealing of the annular space can be done either with Firestop Acrylic Sealant or cementitious mortar to offer different options for installers. In addition, the Firestop Endless Collar is tested for a variety of special wastewater pipes and is therefore the product with the broadest field of application. It can be used for many standard PVC, PE or PP pipes, as well as for non-standardized pipes including Geberit Silent dB20, Friatec Friaphon and Rehau Raupiano Plus. It is also suitable for wastewater pipes produced by many different manufacturers, such as Valsir, Ke Kelit or Wavin. This flexibility provides engineers and planners with an extremely easy specification process and ensures that pipes are firestopped in a safe and compliant way, as specified by the ETA.

Pipe couplings
Pipe couplings are frequently made in the exact area of a penetration. As a result, this application usually has to be tested separately. Because of the coupling, the pipe wall thickness will normally no longer comply with the tested application. However the Hilti CFS-C EL is tested and approved for this specific application.
 
Pipe on a wall / in a corner
For this application, the advantages of the Hilti CFS-C EL are obvious. It offers easy installation suitable for a complex situation, as shown in the pictures below. 

Inclined pipes
Easy cutting and flexible fastening of its supporting hooks demonstrates the superior advantages of the Hilti CFS-C EL. A typical stress point in planning occurs when inclinations are required but a regular collar does not fit or an extra-large diameter is required to cover the additional space. Less adaptable solutions can result in expensive consequences for a building owner.

Acoustics and pipes
Do you need install a pipe collar and consider acoustics performance at the same time? Many wastewater pipe systems need to be acoustically sealed to prevent the transfer of sound within a building. The CFS-C EL endless collar is also tested together with an acoustic bandage, which is designed to limit sound transfer via the sensitive area of a penetration seal.

Multiple penetrations
One final application is a solution that can cover multiple pipes routed through a fire rated-wall. Normally there is no opportunity to install firestop correctly, but the 2-meter long Hilti Firestop Endless Collar CFS-C EL allows you to firestop multiple pipes with very little distance between them.

The ETA also offers many additional tested options for multiple situations, such as for 2 or 3 pipes of various different materials installed close together. Examples and the tested field of application can be reviewed in ETA-14/0085.

Pipe-end configuration
The behavior of a firestop system during a test is fundamentally determined by the design of the pipe end. The pressure and flow of hot gases are different in different pipe systems so, when choosing a suitable fire protection solution, the proper pipe end configuration must be taken into account as well. As a consequence, many regular collars cannot be installed as they are only tested and approved for closed pipe systems.

The Hilti Firestop Endless Collar has been tested for open systems made from many relevant pipe types. This is a worst-case fire test, as described in standard EN1366-3. Certainly, many planners have already seen the U/U (uncapped / uncapped) or U/C (uncapped / capped) mark in the fire classification of a fire collar. A pipe open at both ends has a U/U configuration, which is the worst-case scenario from a testing point of view. All solutions with this classification are suitable for any configuration of pipe ends and can also be used for wastewater pipe systems, rainwater or ventilated sewage systems.
 
All the applications discussed above present typical problems when it comes to firestop. The innovative Firestop Endless Collar CFS-C EL not only makes the life of an installer easier, but also gives planners and engineers many flexible, performance-oriented solutions.  With broad approval, and with many special pipes specifically tested, a flexible solution like the Hilti CFS-C EL can be crucial for avoiding potential conflicts in the later construction phases of a project.