Procedures for Sprinkler Anchor Installation on Surfaces with Fireproofing Materials: Fid-Bau Portal

Procedures for Sprinkler Anchor Installation on Surfaces with Fireproofing Materials

R. G. Mathey / L. I. Knab / J. L. Gross / J. A. Small

Procedures were developed for limiting the release of fibers from fireproofing material during sprinkler hanger anchor installation on steel deck/concrete floor slab surfaces. These procedures were needed by the General Services Administration (GSA) for installation of sprinkler systems in buildings having fireproofing containing asbestos. A prototype floor slab having spray-on friable mineral wool fireproofing was used in laboratory tests. The mineral wool fireproofing was used as a model system for fireproofing containing asbestos. The various combinations of mechanical anchoring procedures (use of drills or powder-actuated gun) and encapsulation procedures tested limited the fiber release to a range of values of 0.000 to 0.055 f/cc (fibers per cubic centimeter) as compared to a range of values of 0.26 to 0.82 f/cc for procedures without encapsulation. Encapsulation was shown to be effective as evidenced by much higher levels of fiber release during testing without encapsulation. Because there is no known correlation between the release of mineral wool fibers and asbestos fibers, it was recommended that the procedures developed be evaluated by GSA in buildings having fireproofing containing asbestos. An air sampling protocol was developed for use by GSA in evaluating the procedures in the field. Subsequently field tests were conducted by GSA. The laboratory and field studies provided GSA with an effective procedure, measurement method, and decision tool for installing sprinkler hanger anchors in steel deck/concrete floor slabs having fireproofing materials.