Fire sleeves for cables and pipework are vital within a wide range of industries where there is the danger of extreme temperatures, and the potential for fire and chemical leakage. Understanding the dangers of extreme temperatures within mining, the marine sector, and other heavy industrial settings will help you to choose the right type of pipeline protection, allowing for the safe working environment that will give peace of mind to workers and minimise the potential for damage, injuries, and the spread of fire in the worst-case scenario.
What are fire sleeves?
Fire sleeves play an important safety role within myriad industrial buildings and applications where there is extreme heat and harsh conditions. They are simple, yet effective sleeves that cover pipework, cables, and wires, and are designed to protect the application and workers in the immediate area from exposure to extreme heat, chemical leaks, and naked flames. In the case of a fire, fire pipe sleeves prevent the spread of flames, helping to minimise damage in the immediate vicinity and allow for a safe escape route for any workers.
The benefits of fire pipe sleeves
You’ll find a range of benefits to fire pipe sleeves within myriad industries, including:
Resistance to high temperatures
Fire sleeves are highly resistant to extreme temperatures, making them a vital part of safety protocols within locations where harsh conditions and high temperatures are normal. Silicone coated fire sleeves can withstand temperatures over 1000°F (538°C) and also provide protection for workers in the vicinity in the case of molten metal splash or chemical leaks in certain applications and industries.
Quality materials
With a fibreglass core and silicone coating, fire pipe sleeves are designed to be resistant to not only high temperatures but also abrasion and vibrations. This makes them incredibly durable, offering thermal insulation and structural integrity under extreme heat.
Ease of installation
When choosing the right fire pipe sleeve for your application, ensure that it is flexible and offers easy installation. This will differ from sleeve to sleeve and there are different options depending on the pipes and system you are protecting with the sleeve.
Environmental resistance
Along with temperature and chemical resistance, be sure to check what else a fire pipe sleeve protects from. It should include hydraulic fluids, oils, fuels, resists UV and moisture, all to protect the integrity of the product and the application it is covering.
The benefits of fire pipe sleeves are clearly evident. In so many industries there are specific locations and applications that require consistent protection due to the extreme temperatures and harsh conditions that they operate in. Understanding the specific nature of applications and choosing the correct fire pipe sleeve to protect hydraulic systems, pipelines, and cabling, ensure a high safety standard for workers, and minimise potential damage from fire, raises the standards for a business across the board. Finding a manufacturer who provides hose sleeve protection, fire pipe sleeves and has a history of success within heavy duty industries where applications require this type of protection, assists you in maintaining high safety standards and high levels of efficiency and productivity.
