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It is known that column casings are used to protect many structures in buildings. These structures include such items as pipes, radiators, columns and more. Most column casings should provide protection against fire, water and sometimes impact. There are many things to consider when looking to install column casings and what to expect from their performance under extreme conditions.
When making sure you are getting the right column casings for your project, understand you need to look for the following if applicable. Any real deviation in quality can be at the cost of the structure you are trying to protect.
You need to make sure the column casings are resistant to both fire and water. This means also that a combination of fire and water can be handled at the same time. This is probably the most important factor to consider when looking for protection pertaining to maintaining structural integrity.
If the column casing is going to be part of an area that is exposed to people, the surface temperatures need to be low. This would also go along with not conducting heat. If a casing conducts heat, it will reach extreme temperatures and start to cause damage to the inside, as well as be a hazard to those around it. Heat being conducted will also result in material expansion. When this happens, the structure becomes dislodged and damaged.
Another way damage is caused is by the column casing being permeable. The column casings can not be permeable to and outside factors such as water or fire. If they are, the pieces of the column casings will become separated and eventually pull apart and collapse.
When speaking about the actual structure, you are going to want a good thickness. This is imperative because the length of time these cases are exposed to extreme conditions is unknown. The thicker the column casings, the longer they will be able to withstand extreme temperatures and submersion. Another aspect that you want to make sure is structurally sound is the joints. Weak jointing can result in dislocation of the column. If this is the case, it would not matter how thick the pipe is because it cannot stay together.
All these factors should be considered by the provider of column casings. A good quality product comes from a reliable company and that is what you want to look for. If they can not answer your questions, it might be best to find another provider. Too often locations of column casings as put without careful thought. It has been seen time and time again that very reliable column casings were placed on wood floors. In a case of fire, water or both, a wood floor is not going to hold up and often time, as when fire is present, act as a catalyst for further damage. This, among many reasons, is why it is a good and safe idea to work with a professional that is reliable and has a good track record when installing your column casings.