From: Jonathan Gulley
Sent: 14 September 2007 15:36
To: Dave Cockerill
Cc: Christoph Schaefer
Subject: Fire Test, samples of PE

Attachments: SC-2007-02.doc; Photo SC-2007-02.jpg; SC-2007-03.doc; Photo
SC-2007-03.jpg; derogation-request_IS41.doc

Hello Dave,

I completed the fire tests on the samples of polyethylene you supplied. The results are summarised here
(see also attached files).

Pure polyethylene:

Fails UL94V fire test. Samples continued to burn after withdrawal of the flame.



Polyethylene coated with intumescent paint:

Sample charred/intumesced without flaming, well beyond the completion of the test.


So, the results are as expected regarding the fire behaviour of pure polyethylene and
the painted sample. Pure, untreated, polyethylene must not be used in the underground areas. 
The coated polyethylene may be used, however it's use should be documented as a derogation, 
with the intumescent paint being one of the compensatory measures. Thought should be given 
to other measures: distancing the material from ignition sources, metal backing etc. 

The correct application of the paint should be checked as well as the continued good state 
of the paint (say as an annual check performed by the experiment). You should complete and 
submit the attached derogation request form, then I can start the procedure for approval in EDMS.

Any questions, let me kmow

Best regards
Jonathan