Thermal tubing

R

RJTravel

Member
Only twice have I seen pressure actuated thermal tubing which replaces the fusible links. The other night we encounted one which had an unattached mounting bracket. At the slightest touch it would sway from side to side in the plenum. Scared me to death. I don't know how impact-sensitive these are, but I am overly cautious in that I am aware it is tied in to a computer system (read 'expensive'). I'm afraid to take the liberties with which we handle ordinary links. Anyone able to illuminate me and others? Can these take a reasonable amount of cleaning spray pressure?

Richard
 
What brand of fire suppression system? Amerex uses "pressurized thermal responsive tubing that provides a mechanical movement via loss of pressurization anywhere along its lenght that results in system acuation. " In other words, at 435 * F, the plastic tubing melts, looses the 70 PSI and trips the suppression system. the tubing is to supported every 18". I would call the installing company and ask them to secure the support. It may be welded or screw in position
Ansul uses a sealed tubing that works opposite of the Amerex. The tubing is also sealed, but expansion of the air inside caused the system to trip. Again, notify the installing company.
If you snag the tubing of either system, you could have problems.

Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc
 
Thanks for the response. In that we were unsure about any chemical overspray or contact with the frail-looking tubing we did the entire hood/plenum carefully by hand and was just too tired to think of the obvious - we'll contact the one who tagged it out. Still uncertain - how aggressive can you be with these? Use degreaser and rag it?

Tnx, Richard
 
I have only installed 2 systems using the Amerex tubing. One was a Chinese place and I have no intention of ever going in there again. The other place is a hospital, which we cleaned last week. We had no problems with the pressure washing or the chemical. If I remember, I will take a piece of the tubing on the next resturant job and see what a zero nozzle will do. I am sure if the tubing does not stand up to the cleaing, Amerex would not use it. This tubing is similar to what is used in Europe and in the maritime industry.

Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc
 
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