SUMITOMO RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE SRP SP-F04-019

Document: SP-F04-019Date Issued: 07/08Revision: 41.0 General4.0 Sealing Tube Cable Ends1.1 This procedure describes the standardtechniques for sealing FutureFLEX Air-BlownFiber (ABF) tube cables and tubes. Actual onsite techniques may vary depending on theinstallation and local code requirements.4.1 The recommended device to seal open tubecable ends is a Heat Shrink End Cap. Whenproperly applied, it will prevent all forms ofcontamination from entering the open tube cableend. Do not remove Heat Shrink End Caps untilafter the tube cable has been installed and readyto be coupled or terminated inside a TDUenclosure.1.2 Sealing open tube cable and tube ends willprevent the intrusion of contamination before,during, and after tube cable installation.Protecting the integrity of the tubes isparamount.1.3 Sealing (waterproofing) tube cables as theyenter a building will prevent the passage ofwater, ground gases, insects / rodents, and soforth.1.4 Sealing (firestopping) tube cables as theypass through building walls and floors willprevent the passage of fire, smoke, and so forth.Note: Special tube cable and tube sealingtechniques are to be performed in Class I,Division 1 & 2 environments. These proceduresare described in Sumitomo s for FutureFLEX Tube CablesLocated in Class I, Division 1 & 2 Environmentsand SRP SP-F04-033 Sealing Procedures forFutureFLEX Tubes Located in Class I, Division1 & 2 Environments.4.2 Heat Shrink End Caps are available in four (4)sizes to fit various tube cable designs / sizes.See Fig. 1.#1 Heat Shrink End Cap (DE19HS2) is forTC19TRX Riser and TC19xx-2 Armored tubecables#2 Heat Shrink End Cap (DE19HS1) is for 19tube cables (except TC19TRX Riser and TC19xx2 Armored tube cables)#3 Heat Shrink End Cap (DE07HS1) is for 7tube cables#4 Heat Shrink End Cap (DE04HS1) is for 2- to4-tube cables#1#2#3#42.0 Safety Precautions2.1 Some of the sealing materials discussed inthis procedure do emit unpleasant smells andcan cause the eyes to water. In some cases,free hydrogen gas is evolved during the curingprocess.2.2 Adequate ventilation is required in confinedspaces. Read and follow the precaution’s listedon the container being used.3.0 Equipment / Tools RequiredThe equipment, tools, and materials required tocomplete these procedures are described withinthe appropriate sections.Figure 1Heat Shrink End Caps Sizes4.3 Use Tube Cable Cutter (BETL01) or similarto flush-cut end of tube cables. Use a hacksawor similar metal-cutting device to flush-cut end ofarmored tube cables.4.4 Slide Heat Shrink End Cap over tube cableend and use a heat gun (preferred method) ormini-torch to collapse Heat Shrink End Cap.Verify tightness after cooling.2

Document: SP-F04-019Date Issued: 07/08Revision: 4insert Tube Plug until it is firmly seated insidethe tube. Do not “jam” Tube Plug into tube or itwill be difficult to remove later. The DE06MPTube Plug is not a push-fit device and can beblown out of the tube if pressure is inadvertentlyapplied. Exercise caution. See Fig. 3.Figure 2Heat Shrink End Caps Installed4.5 In the event a Heat Shrink End Cap is notavailable, alternative methods can be used toseal open tube cable ends.4.5.1 For outdoor (wet, muddy, etc.)installations, apply a liberal coating of a Siliconecaulk (such as RTV or similar) into the openends of the tubes and into the open areasbetween the tubes. Then wrap the tube cableend with an appropriate tape (electric, duct,etc.).4.5.2 For indoor (dry) installations (not goingthrough wet environments), wrap the tube cableend with an appropriate tape (electric, duct,etc.).5.0 Sealing Individual Tube Ends5.1 There are several recommended devicesavailable to seal open tube ends that, whenproperly installed, will prevent contaminationsuch as water, dirt, dust, insects, and so forthfrom entering the open end of an empty or filled(with fiber bundle) tube.5.2 Use Tubing Cutter (BETC001) to flush-cutthe end of the tube.Orange ColorFigure 3DE06MP Tube Plug to SealEmpty 8mm OD / 6mm ID Tubes5.4 Tube Plug (DE55MP) Use a blue-coloredDE55MP Tube Plug to seal an empty 8mm OD /5.5mm ID TP2 plenum-rated tube in indoorapplications only. The stem of the blue TubePlug is 6.00mm OD. Use finger-pressure onlyand insert Tube Plug until it is firmly seated insidethe tube. Do not “jam” Tube Plug into tube or itwill be difficult to remove later. The DE06MPTube Plug is not a push-fit device and can beblown out of the tube if pressure is inadvertentlyapplied. Exercise caution. See Fig. 4.5.4.1 Do not use an Orange DE06MP Tube Plugto seal a 5.5mm ID TP2 plenum-rate tube. Theover-sized plug is difficult to install and causesthe end of the TP2 tube to flare out. See Fig. 5.5.4.2 Refer to Sumitomo RecommendedProcedure, Plenum-Rated Jacketed Tube CableTCxxTP2 Installation Procedures, SRP SP-F04029.5.3 Tube Plug (DE06MP) Use an orangecolored DE06MP Tube Plug to seal an empty8mm OD / 6mm ID tube in indoor applicationsonly. The stem of the orange Tube Plug is6.35mm OD. Use finger-pressure only and3

Document: SP-F04-019Date Issued: 07/08Revision: 4Blue ColorSlate ColorFigure 4DE55MP Tube Plug to SealEmpty 8mm OD / 5.5mm ID TubesTube End Flared OutFigure 6DE08MA Tube Cap to SealEmpty Tubes5.6 Fiber Bushing (FT2MFB) Use a red-coloredFT2MFB Fiber Bushing to seal tubes filled with2mm OD fiber bundle. To install, open slit oftapered bushing, carefully slip over fiber bundle,and push into tube. See Fig. 7.Figure 5Result of Using Wrong Tube Plugin TP2 Plenum-Rated Tube5.5 Tube Cap (DE08MA) Use a slate-coloredDE08MA Tube Cap to seal an empty tube in bothindoor and outdoor applications. Because it is apush-fit device, the Tube Cap is especiallyeffective in the harsher outdoor applications andcannot be blown off the end of a tube if pressureis applied.Ensure the Tube Cap is firmlyattached to the tube end. See Fig. 6.Red ColorFigure 7FT2MFB Fiber Bushing to SealTubes Filled with 2mm OD Fiber Bundle5.7 Fiber Bushing (FT3MFB) Use a blackcolored FT3MFB Fiber Bushing to seal tubesfilled with 3mm OD fiber bundle. To install, openslit of tapered bushing, carefully slip over fiberbundle, and push into tube. See Fig. 8.4

Document: SP-F04-019Date Issued: 07/08Revision: 4accomplished in accordance with local coderequirements. Depending on local coderequirements, foams, caulks, or similar materialsshould be used.Always follow tructions.7.0 Sealing / Firestopping Within BuildingWhenever tube cables pass through interior wallsor floors (such as in a Riser application), thepenetration must be sealed with an approvedfirestopping material to create a fire and smokebarrier.Black ColorFigure 8FT3MFB Fiber Bushing to Seal TubesFilled with 3mm OD Fiber BundleNote: Special tube cable and tube sealingtechniques are to be performed in Class I,Division 1 & 2 environments. These proceduresare described in Sumitomo X Tube Cables in Class I – Divisions 1and 2 Environments and SRP SP-F04-033FutureFLEX Class I – Divisions 1 and 2 GasBlock Tube Coupling Installation Procedures.6.0 Sealing at Building EntranceWhenever tube cables enter a building, thepenetration method must be sealed to prevent theintrusion of contamination such as water, groundgases, insects / rodents, etc.6.1 If tube cable enters a building via conduit, theconduit opening must be sealed. Depending onlocal code requirements, rubber conduit plugs,water plugs, duct sealer, or similar materialsshould be used.Always follow tructions.Note: In the event that the conduit must be reopened for access, it must always be re-sealed /waterproofed prior to job completion.6.2 If tube cable enters a building via cutting ordrilling / boring, proper sealing (waterproofing) ofinner and outer building walls must be7.1 Mechanical firestop systems are ed to fit around standard cables, tubes, orconduits. Mechanical systems require somemeans of applying compression to the sides ofthe opening, conduit, or tube cable to establish atight seal. There are many types of approveddevices on the market. Use a method thatcomplies with local code requirements andalwaysfollowspecificmanufacturer’srecommended installation instructions.7.2 Non-mechanical firestop systems come in avariety of forms and each has a desirableproperty for specific situations. All share thecommon benefit of adapting to irregular openingsand off-center tube cable or conduit placement.Non-mechanical firestop materials are availablein the following forms: Silicone foams Caulks Puttys Cementitious materials Intumescent sheets Pre-manufactured pillows7.3 The most practical method for sealing tubecables is by the use of Silicone foams or caulks.They are available in tubes and cans that allowfor easy application. Puttys are available in barsand sticks. Cementitious materials require mixing.Intumescent materials and pillows are available inpre-manufactured sheets. Use a method thatcomplies with local code requirements andalwaysfollowspecificmanufacturer’srecommended installation instructions.5

Document: SP-F04-019Date Issued: 07/08Revision: 4Note: In the event that the penetration must bere-opened for access, it must always be resealed / firestopped prior to job completion.8.0 Sealing Between Tubes8.1 In addition to using an approvedwaterproofing or firestopping method to sealaround the outside of a tube cable jacket, theopen spaces between the tubes must also besealed to prevent the intrusion of water, smoke,ground gases, etc. whenever a open tube cableend is exposed to such elements. See Fig. 9.65174238.2 To prevent the intrusion of water, smoke,ground gases, and the like, sealing betweentubes can be accomplished using approvedsilicone sealants, foams or caulks. Use a methodthat complies with local code requirements andalwaysfollowspecificmanufacturer’srecommended installation instructions.8.3 After the tube cable jacket has been removedand the tubes exposed, spread the tubes apartbeing careful not to kink them.8.4 Fill the gaps between the tubes with anapproved sealant. Make sure that all the spacesbetween each tube receive the material beingused.8.5 When an ample quantity of sealant has beenapplied, release the tubes and lightly squeezethem together into their natural position. Apply atemporary tape wrap around the tubes to holdthem together.8.6 Apply additional sealant around the outeredge of the tubes and around the outer jacket tocomplete the sealing process. See Fig. 10.8.7 Allow the sealant to cure fully withoutdisturbing the tubes.Open SpacesFigure 9Open Spaces Between TubesMust Also Be Waterproofed / SealedNote: Special tube cable and tube sealingtechniques are to be performed in Class I,Division 1 & 2 environments. These proceduresare described in Sumitomo s for FutureFLEX Tube Cables Locatedin Class I, Division 1 & 2 Environments and SRPSP-F04-033 Sealing Procedures for FutureFLEXTubes Located in Class I, Division 1 & 2Environments.SealantTapeFigure 10Waterproofing / Sealing BetweenTubes and Tube / Jacket Interface6

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