Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. (head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; president: Hiroshi Yoshida) has developed HISHIPIPE Fire Resistant VP-α™ rigid U-PVC pipe for drainage and Fire Resistant DV-α™ PVC fitting that can be used for the piping that passes through building firewalls. MPI is currently preparing to gain public certification, and planning to launch sales this winter.

Japan's Building Standard Law specifies mandatory fire-resistance standards that must be met by all water and sewage pipes passing through the firewalls in the walls and floors of condominiums and other communal housing, commercial facilities, and public facilities. The main types of pipe currently in use for this application include fire-resistant dual cement pipes[1], lined copper pipes for building sewerage[2], and cast-iron pipes. Using these kinds of pipes in building construction presents a number of problems, however: they are heavier than U-PVC pipes, and installing they require more time and labor.

MPI has developed HISHIPIPE Fire Resistant VP-α™, which mixes a special inorganic material into the middle layer of three-layer U-PVC pipe. This construction causes the remnants of the pipe to block openings during a fire, preventing the fire from spreading. Combustion testing has been completed under each of the testing conditions for performance evaluations of water and sewage pipes passing through firewalls in accordance with the Building Standard Law, and the performance of the new products has been confirmed. The products are also very easy to work with in construction: they can be cut and bonded just like ordinary U-PVC pipes and fittings, and they are lightweight as well. This makes it possible to greatly reduce total cost, including construction costs.

MPI will market the new products aggressively to construction firms, large condo developers, house builders, architecture companies, design firms, and others, through which it is aiming to reach net sales of ¥1 billion after 3 years. MPI will exhibit the products at the Kanzaiten Exhibition of pipes and fixtures held in Tokyo and Nagoya. (See following page for details)

[1] Fire-resistant dual cement pipe
Piping material consisting of an inner pipe of U-PVC, and a fiber-reinforced mortar external sheath
[2] Lined copper pipes for building sewerage
Piping material consisting of a thin copper pipe and an internal lining of U-PVC piping

●Product Lineup
HISHIPIPE Fire Resistant VP-α™ (length: 4m); nominal diameter: 40 to 125 mm; 6 varieties; DV-α™ (fitting): 83 varieties

 

●Color
Light brown

●How it Works



●Combustion testing

	→		→
Before heating		Combustion (60 min.)		Special inorganic material mixed into the intermediate layer ensures heat insulation

 

 

■Inquires regarding this material should be directed to the
	Public Relations Section, General Administration Dept., Mitsubishi Plastics Inc. TEL: +81-3-3279-3800