Overview
You don’t have to look very hard to find hundreds of operating experience reports in the nuclear industry associated with fires and fire load ratings. As an industry, when FME Programs began to be implemented back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, we were quick to determine that FME control devices need to be made of a fire-retardant material so that they would not contribute to a plant’s fire load. Alphasource traces its origins to the textile industry, and was an early innovator of High Temperature, long lasting solutions. This article seeks to provide general guidance for industry personnel in selecting the proper heat resistant FME and Facility MRO solutions.
Fire-Retardant
- Designed to greatly slow down or inhibit the spread of fire
- Made from chemically treated materials
- Effectiveness can diminish over time or with washing
- Self extinguishes after removal of ignition source
- May still burn, but greatly slows the spread of fire
vs.
Fire Resistant
- Designed to withstand fire and high heat without easily burning
- Made from materials that are inherently resistant to fire (ex. Kevlar, wNomex)
- Resistance is built-in and typically lasts for the life of the product
- Resists ignition and may self-extinguish when the heat source is wremoved
- Protects against intense heat or direct exposure for longer periods
Continuous Heat and Peak Temperatures
It is also important to identify and distinguish Continuous Heat and Peak Temperatures as two seperate readings and considerations.
Continuous Heat is the temperature in which the Product is rated to withstand an extended period of time at that rating.
Peak Temperature is the max spike of temperature a Product can withstand, but at a short period of time.
Working with different Levels of Heat - 3 types of Heat Considerations
It is important to identify the heat considerations of a given work order or plant environment so that you and other plant personnel can select the right FME Device for the job at hand!
1. No Heat Consideration - Fire Retardant Solutions
When a work area is fully isolated from all heat sources, FME devices should be Fire Retardant as a general precaution but are not required to withstand extreme continuous heat.
Related Products:
| Product: | Continous Heat | General Spark Resistance |
| Standard Alphasource FME Covers | 110F/43C | Spark Resistant |
| Standard Sponges | 212F/100C | Not Spark Resistant |
| Bladders/Pipe Plugs | 100F/38C | Not Spark Resistant |
As a general precaution, Alphasource recommends not washing FME covers unless necessary. Alphasource’s FME covers are applied with special fabric coatings that provide heat resistant properties. Washing FME covers incorrectly, prolonged UV exposure, and other care missteps can degrade FME Cover fire retardant properties over time. As with all FME/Drop Prevention devices, inspect covers before use.
For FME Covers Subject to continuous UV exposure, see Alphasource’s Outdoor Cover solutions
FME Covers
Standard Sponges
Bladders
2. General Spark Risk - Mix of Fire Retardant and Fire Resistant Solutions
When welding is taking place relatively close to FME Devices and open systems, and pose a spark risk, but do not contribute high continuous heat, Alphasource recommends solutions with more significant heat resistance.
Related Products:
| Product: | Continous Heat | Peak |
| Alphasource High Temperature Covers (FME-HT) | 500F/260C | 1000F/520C |
| Laminated Sponges (FME-LPL) | 212F/100C | General Spark Resistance |
| Fire Retardant Bladders/Pipe Plugs (FR in Bladder PN) | 140F/60C | General Spark Resistance |
High Temperature FME Covers
Laminated Sponges
Fire Retardant Bladders
3. High Continuous or Heat Spikes - Fire Resistant Solutions
When welding is taking place immediately next to an FME Device, or the device/system is located near a significant continuous heat source, a higher heat Fire Retardant Fabric is required.
Related Products:
| Product: | Continous Heat | Peak |
| Alphasource High Temperature Covers (FME-HT) | 500F/260C | 1000F/520C |
| Alpha Kevlar Welding Blanket | 500F/260C | 1000F/520C |
| Fire Retardant Bladders/Pipe Plugs (FR in Bladder PN) | 500F/260C | 1000F/520C |
- Bladders with Fire Retardant Hose Covers, Bladder Protectors, and Fire Retardant coatings.
Silicon Coated Mesh High Temperature Covers
Alpha Kevlar Tarps
High Temperature Sponges
For questions regarding any of the above information, please contact your Alphasource Representative or email our support team: Support@alphasourceintl.com
