When incorporating linear heat detection in your fire protection plans, the question regarding which jacket material to use often arises.
Digital linear heat detection is commonly applied in commercial and industrial applications where the focus is on property protection as opposed to life safety. Within these applications, the detector is frequently challenged with a broad range of harsh environmental conditions both natural and man-made. These conditions can run the gamut of extremes in temperature, exposure, and elements – snow, ice, direct sunlight, etc. Man-made elements can introduce other extremes such as those found in freezer applications or engine compartments. Whichever the case may be, selecting the appropriate jacketing material for your Protectowire Linear Heat Detector is critical in determining the effectiveness and longevity of your installation.
At Protectowire FireSystems, our Linear Heat Detectors are available in an array of jacketing materials to combat these issues and assure the best performance possible. The two most commonly used detectors are the EPC and XCR. Both provide excellent resistance to moisture and chemicals and offer great performance. Our EPC Detector, is durable, flame retardant, vinyl outer jacket (PVC), and a multi-purpose composite material well suited to a wide range of applications. The outer jacket provides good all-around performance for most installations. It features low moisture absorption, resistance to common chemicals and excellent flexibility at low temperatures. The primary limitations to the EPC jacket are in the presence of UV rays as well as chafing/abrasion. Direct exposure to sunlight can have an adverse effect on the jacket construction and breakdown over time. Similarly, exposure to continuous chafing or abrasion can have a direct impact on the life of the jacket. Care should be taken to avoid any situation where the cable is subject to contact with moving elements such as a conveyor. Typical applications include storage racks, cable trays, and airport hangars.
Our XCR Detector utilizes a high-performance fluoropolymer jacket. This option is specifically designed for use in applications where extreme environmental and product performance criteria must be met. In general, the flame retardant, low smoke XCR jacket provides excellent abrasion resistance and mechanical properties over a broad range of temperatures. It delivers superior chemical and permeation resistance to a wide variety of acids, bases and organic solvents as well as simple gases and is the only detector approved by FM for corrosive environments. In addition, the jacket exhibits very little change in tensile properties when exposed to sunlight and extreme weather conditions. Typical applications include floating roof tanks, solar panels and cooling towers.
Regardless of your application Protectowire can provide the Linear Heat Detector best suited to meet the challenges of your application. Contact us today to learn more.
