Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)

This research addresses key challenges faced by our industry partner, Uponor Ltd. (Canada) related to fire performance ofx000D
crosslinked high density polyethylene (PEX) pipe and piping systems. These systems are used in many applications: radiantx000D
heating, plumbing, energy transport and fire sprinklers. For regulatory purposes, piping manufacturers must conduct firex000D
performance tests on individual products and complete wall/floor assemblies containing these products. Because there are fewx000D
test facilities that can conduct this full-scale testing, and complete systems need to be tested, it becomes expensive and timex000D
consuming to investigate effects on fire safety of changes to materials formulation or piping system design. Yet, this information isx000D
critical in deciding on where to invest in R&D towards new product lines.x000D
In this research, small calorimeter and large custom wall fire tests will provide new understanding of heat transfer, decompositionx000D
and integrity of PEX piping materials under a range of heating situations, and the impacts of different fire retardant strategies onx000D
piping system performance in fires. Relationships will be established to scale results from small to full-scale and an entirely newx000D
test method developed for assessment of fire performance of as-installed, in-wall piping systems. Outcomes will provide Uponorx000D
Ltd. (Canada) significant competitive edge in the piping manufacture and solutions engineering industry, guiding development ofx000D
next generation products, reducing time-to-market for custom solutions and reducing R&D cost and cycle time for modification ofx000D
existing and development of new, innovative products tailored to meet fire safety demands in Ontario, Canada and the globalx000D
marketplace.