Modular and removable device for passive fire protection of an element to be protected

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular and removable device (1) for passive fire protection of an element to be protected (A). This device is remarkable in that it comprises a flexible mattress (2), comprising a thermal insulating material and an endothermic material, an external fabric strip (3), made of flexible and airtight material, attached to said mattress (2), a first removable fixing element (4), attached to the mattress (2) and allowing the modular device (1) to be fixed to the element to be protected (A), a second removable fixing element (5), attached to said fabric strip (3) and allowing the modular device (1) to be held in a rolled-up position.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention is in the field of fire protection.

[0002] The present invention relates more specifically to a modular and removable passive fire protection device for an element to be protected.

[0003] By "passive fire protection", we mean that this device plays a preventive role in protecting the said element to be protected, by allowing it to withstand a fire for a given period, generally set by the regulations of the place where this element to be protected is located.

[0004] The term "element to be protected" mainly refers to a cable tray, but also to an air duct or piping.

[0005] A cable tray is a support system that accommodates one or more cables, such as electrical, computer network, or multimedia cables. Such a cable tray is typically attached to the walls, floors, or ceilings of a room. It can be used, for example, in the building, industrial, and nuclear power plant sectors.

[0006] Preferably, the cable tray has the shape of a longitudinal gutter, preferably capped with a cover.

[0007] The cables that are laid in these cable trays must be passively protected against fire. STATE OF THE ART

[0008] We already know, according to the state of the art, a passive protection system, of the wrapping type, which consists of wrapping, that is to say, surrounding, the entire length of a cable tray and the cables on it, using a protection system made of fire-resistant material, this protection system being glued directly onto the cable tray.

[0009] The protection system is either fibrous, held together by glue containing alumina, aluminum and / or an endothermic product which absorbs heat to release water above 100°C, or intumescent, or rigid.

[0010] The wrapping is made directly on site to adapt to the complex geometry of a cable tray.

[0011] While such a system can protect cables from fire, it has many drawbacks, such as: The fact that the cables are no longer visible once wrapped and therefore cannot be inspected, except by destroying the wrapping and redoing it periodically after each cable inspection; the fact that adding a cable to the cable tray also requires destroying the wrapping; the fact that partially or completely destroying the wrapping requires the use of sharp tools, while the cables are live and may be necessary for the proper functioning of an installation, which can generate a risk for the worker, or even be detrimental to the proper functioning of the installation; the fact that this destruction of the wrapping generates waste, which contains, for example, fibers, alumina, aluminum, endothermic products or intumescent materials, and that this waste is harmful to nearby installations.This problem is even more problematic when a nuclear reactor is located nearby.

[0012] Furthermore, intumescent products have the unique characteristic of expanding when exposed to heat. This calculated expansion allows them to achieve the heat insulation performance levels determined during qualification tests. However, these products lose their effectiveness over time, making it difficult to justify their long-term performance. In addition, an intumescent product can produce debris when exposed to heat for extended periods or subjected to external stress (such as mechanical stress).

[0013] We also know of cable tray protection systems in the prior art, outside of nuclear installations, but these protection systems are: either flexible, but contain polluting elements, such as fibers and / or intumescent materials, including silica, or rigid, but in addition to the pollutants they contain, are heavier and therefore difficult and time-consuming to install.

[0014] Such rigid and heavy systems are unsuitable because they require 3D scans of cable trays before custom manufacturing of the protection system and / or because they require support reinforcements and recalculation of sizing and earthquake resistance.

[0015] We also know, according to document WO 2021 / 023946, of a fireproof protective cushion comprising an open cover with a flap. A fireproof mattress is inserted into this cover. Furthermore, the cover includes hooks (or snap fasteners) attached to the flap and additional hooks (or snap fasteners) attached to the cover to allow the flap to be closed.

[0016] Under no circumstances should the hooks on the cover be used to attach the cushion to the item being protected from fire. Furthermore, the hooks on the flap should not be used to secure the cushion in a position where it is rolled up around the item being protected from fire. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The invention therefore aims to provide a passive fire protection device for an element to be protected: which allows to guarantee the maintenance of the functionality of the protected element, in case of fire, which allows to remove the heat load, that is to say to prevent the combustible mass linked to the elements to be protected, (for example linked to the cables contained in the cable trays), from contributing to the fire, in the room where this element is installed, which is removable, that is to say which can be simply and quickly assembled, disassembled and reassembled, as many times as its condition allows, and this, by any trained personnel, and which is modular, that is to say which can be used possibly alone, but most often as a module (unit) part of a set of such devices arranged side by side.

[0018] To this end, the invention relates to a passive fire protection device for an element to be protected, such as a cable tray, an air duct or a pipe, for example, this device being modular and removable and comprising: - a flexible mattress, comprising a thermal insulating material and an endothermic material, this mattress having an inner end and an opposite outer end, and an inner face and an opposite outer face, an external strip of fabric, made of flexible and airtight material, this strip of fabric comprising an inner end and an opposite outer end, and an inner face and an opposite outer face, this strip of fabric being attached to said flexible mattress.

[0019] According to the invention, this protective device comprises: a first removable fixing element of the modular device on the element to be protected, this first removable fixing element being fixed to the inner end of said flexible mattress, a second removable fixing and holding element of the modular device in a rolled-up position, in which it is rolled up on itself and around said element to be protected, this second removable fixing and holding element being fixed to said strip of fabric, in that the length of the flexible mattress is configured to achieve a roll of at least one turn around the element to be protected, and in that the length of the fabric strip and the positioning of the second removable fixing element are such that when the modular device is in the rolled-up position, the outer end of the fabric strip, which is outside the roll, covers part of the outer face of the fabric strip and is held against it.

[0020] Thanks to these features of the invention, and in particular the flexible nature of the device, it can be easily rolled up and adapted to the configuration of the element to be protected.

[0021] Furthermore, the first removable fastening element not only secures the inner end of the flexible mattress to the element being protected while the protective device is rolled up, but also keeps the protective device in place during a fire. Indeed, when the protective device is in place, the first removable fastening element is inside the roll and is therefore protected from the fire by the protective device wrapped around it.

[0022] Furthermore, thanks to the removable fixing devices, the assembly and holding in place of the device is done without permanent gluing, which makes it very easy to dismantle the device when you want to access the protected element (for example the cable tray), and conversely to reassemble it afterwards when the intervention on this element is finished.

[0023] Finally, several modular devices can be wound one on top of the other, i.e., superimposed, in order to achieve the expected performance in terms of fire protection.

[0024] According to the invention: The first removable fastening element includes a strap attached to the inner end of the soft mattress and this strap includes either at one end and on one face of it, a piece of fabric bearing hooks and at its other end and on the other face of it, a piece of fabric bearing loops, the piece of fabric and the piece of fabric bearing loops cooperating together to secure their attachment to each other, or at one end and on one face of it, a piece of repositionable adhesive material and at its other end and on the other face of it, a piece of repositionable adhesive material, or at one end of it, a hook configured to cooperate with a ring fixed to the mattress or a ring configured to cooperate with a hook fixed to the mattress.

[0025] According to other advantageous and non-limiting features of the invention, taken alone or in combination: The inner end of the fabric strip is attached to the outer end of the mattress and extends in line with said mattress. The fabric strip is attached to the mattress so that at least part of its inner surface is in contact with at least part of the outer surface of the mattress, and preferably, so that its entire inner surface is in contact with the entire outer surface of the mattress. At least one of the first and second removable fastening elements comprises at least one piece of looped fabric and at least one piece of hook fabric, arranged and configured to cooperate and secure the fastening. At least one of the first and second removable fastening elements comprises at least one piece of repositionable self-adhesive material. At least one of the first and second removable fastening elements comprises a hook and a ring configured to cooperate and secure the fastening.The thermal insulation material is chosen from mineral wool or silicone foam. The endothermic material is chosen from sodium metasilicate or calcium metasilicate. The outer fabric strip is a silicone-coated fabric. The mattress comprises, in cross-section, at least one layer of the endothermic product and at least one layer of the thermal insulation material. The mattress comprises, in cross-section, at least one layer of the insulating material within which said endothermic product is integrated.

[0026] The invention also relates to a method of fire protection for an element to be protected, such as a cable tray, an air duct or a pipe.

[0027] According to the invention, this method comprises the following steps: to fix a first modular device as above, around said element to be protected with said first removable fixing element, to roll said first modular device onto itself and to hold it in the rolled position with said second removable fixing element, and possibly to fix at least a second modular device as above, around said element to be protected with said first removable fixing element and to roll said second modular device onto itself and to hold it in the rolled position with said second removable fixing element, so that the different modular devices are arranged side by side and together form a first layer of modular devices.

[0028] According to other features of the invention, the method comprises the steps consisting of: to fix at least a second device as described above around said element to be protected with said first removable fastening element and to wind said second modular device onto itself and hold it in the wound position with said second removable fastening element, so that the various modular devices are arranged side by side and together form a first layer of devices; to fix at least a third modular device as described above around the first layer with said first removable fastening element, to wind said third modular device onto itself so as to form a second layer, and to hold it in the wound position with its second removable fastening element, this at least third modular device being arranged so as to overlap part of the first modular device and part of the second modular device

[0029] Such a process has the advantage of being able to be implemented easily and directly on the site of the element to be protected and by personnel that are easy to train, since it is enough to wrap each modular device around the element to be protected. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings on which: There figure 1 represents a schematic and perspective view of a modular device according to the invention. figure 2 represents a schematic and perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the modular device according to the invention. figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the modular device, taken in the cutting plane passing through line III-III of the figure 2 . There figure 4is a view similar to the figure 3 , but representing a second embodiment of the invention. The figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a cable tray, inside which cables are arranged and which is surrounded by two modular devices according to the invention, the second being wound around the first. figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional diagram of an element to be protected, covered by several modular devices, arranged according to a first configuration. figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional diagram of an element to be protected, covered by several modular devices of varying widths, arranged according to a second arrangement. figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-section diagram of an element to be protected, covered with several modular devices of different widths, arranged according to a third arrangement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] As can be seen on the figure 1The modular passive fire protection device according to the invention, referenced 1, is intended to protect an element to be protected, referenced A. In the following description, this element A will be described as a cable tray but it could be another element as mentioned previously.

[0032] More specifically, this device is designed to be wound around itself and around element A. On the figure 5 We can thus see a cable tray A, inside which are arranged one or more cables B. Although this is not shown in this figure, the cable tray A, in the form of an open duct, could be closed at its top by a cover.

[0033] Device 1 is elongated in shape and extends along a longitudinal axis X-X'.

[0034] When device 1 is wound around itself and around cable path A, it is wound around an axis YY' perpendicular to its longitudinal axis X-X'.

[0035] Device 1 generally comprises a flexible mattress 2, an external fabric strip 3, a first removable fixing element 4 and a second removable fixing element 5.

[0036] Mattress 2 has an overall thickness E, a width l and a length L2.

[0037] Preferably, mattress 2 has an elongated shape, such as a strip, for example a rectangular shape. Mattress 2 includes a longitudinal axis XX' which coincides with that of device 1. Mattress 2 could, however, also be square.

[0038] Preferably also, its thickness E is less than its length L2, so as to facilitate the winding of device 1 onto itself.

[0039] The length L2 of mattress 2 must be sufficient to make a wrap of at least one turn around the element to be protected A.

[0040] The mattress 2 has two opposite ends, namely an inner end 21 and an outer end 22, and two opposite faces, namely an outer face 23 and an inner face 24, the terms "inner" and "outer" being chosen with reference to the position occupied by the device 1 when it is wound around itself around the cable track (see the wound position of the figure 5 ).

[0041] Mattress 2 comprises a thermal insulating material and an endothermic material. The endothermic material's function is to absorb heat in the event of a fire and, more specifically, to release water once a certain temperature threshold is exceeded.

[0042] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the mattress 2 comprises at least one layer 6 of endothermic product and one layer 7 of thermal insulating material, preferably at least one layer 6 of endothermic product sandwiched between two layers 7 of thermal insulating material. In the embodiment shown in the figure 3 , mattress 2 thus comprises two layers 6 of endothermic product and three layers 7 of thermal insulating material. Choice of materials:

[0043] The endothermic material is preferably chosen from sodium metasilicate or calcium metasilicate. Preferably, the endothermic material is free of alumina or aluminum.

[0044] The endothermic product can, for example, be in powder form and included in sachets to form layer 6.

[0045] The thermal insulation material is chosen from among fibrous type insulation (for example mineral wool) or non-fibrous type insulation (for example silicone foam).

[0046] Preferably, the different layers 6 and 7 are fixed together in such a way as to avoid relative slippage of one against the other, particularly during winding.

[0047] The number of layers 6, 7, as well as their respective thicknesses E1, E2, and the choice of materials may vary and is adapted to the fire performance required for device 1 (in particular the temperature rise and the duration for which module 1 must withstand fire).

[0048] However, preferably, the thickness E1 of layer 6 of the endothermic product is advantageously between 2 mm and 10 mm, so as to guarantee the fire resistance of the product. For the same reasons, the thickness E2 of layer 7 of the insulating material is advantageously between 10 mm and 25 mm.

[0049] According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in the cross-section of the figure 4 The mattress 2 comprises at least one layer 8, preferably at least two superimposed layers 8 of insulating material into which the endothermic product is introduced (mixed). Following the example of the figure 4 We can see three layers, 8.

[0050] This second embodiment makes it possible to reduce the overall thickness E of mattress 2.

[0051] The insulating material and the endothermic product are the same as those described previously for the first embodiment of the invention.

[0052] As with the first embodiment, the number and thickness of the different layers 8 can vary depending on the desired fire resistance.

[0053] In both embodiments just described, the materials constituting layers 6, 7 and 8 are chosen so that these different layers are flexible and deformable so that the whole device 1 is also flexible.

[0054] The outer fabric strip 3 is made of a flexible, deformable material so that it can also be wrapped around element A.

[0055] The outer fabric strip 3 is an airtight fabric. This fabric is preferably washable. Preferably, it is also decontaminable.

[0056] As an example, fabric 3 could be a silicone fabric.

[0057] The fabric strip 3 has a length L3 and a width l, identical to that of the mattress 2. Preferably, it has an elongated shape, such as a rectangular strip. However, it could also be square.

[0058] The fabric strip 3 has two opposite ends, namely an inner end 31 and an outer end 32, and two opposite faces, namely an outer face 33 and an inner face 34, the terms "inner" and "outer" being chosen with reference to the position occupied by the device 1 when it is wound around itself around the cable track, (see figure 5 ).

[0059] The length L3 of the fabric strip 3 must be sufficient so that, once the device 1 is wound around the cable tray A, the outer end 32 of the fabric strip 3 overlaps (covers) part of the outer face 33 of the fabric strip 3, or even so that it is possible to make several turns around the element A. Such a position is visible on the figure 5 .

[0060] According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in the figure 1 The fabric strip 3 is attached (preferably glued) to the outer end 22 of the mattress 2 and extends longitudinally along the length of the mattress. In other words, the inner end 31 of the fabric strip 3 is attached to the outer end 22 of the mattress 2.

[0061] According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in the figure 2, the fabric strip 3 is fixed (preferably glued) onto the mattress 2 so that at least part of its inner face 34 is in contact with at least part of the outer face 23 of the mattress 2. In this case, its length L3 is greater than that of the first embodiment.

[0062] Although this is not shown on the figure 2 , the entire inner face 34 can also be in contact with the entire outer face 23 of the mattress 2, (the outer face 23 of the mattress 2 is then entirely covered with fabric 3).

[0063] Finally, according to a third embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figures, the strip of fabric 3 can be the same length as the mattress 2 and cover only the upper face 23 of it.

[0064] Finally, it is possible to cover the inner face 34 of the fabric strip 3 with a layer of endothermic material.

[0065] The first removable fixing element 4 is intended to allow the modular device 1, more specifically its inner end 21, to be fixed to the element to be protected A. By "removable", it is meant that this fixing element can be detached after being fixed and conversely reattached without damaging the modular device 1, and this repeatedly, which allows the module 1 to be unrolled, if necessary to access the cable path A.

[0066] According to a first embodiment shown on the figure 1The first removable fastening element 4 comprises a strap 40, attached to the inner end 21 of the mattress 2, a piece of fabric 41 bearing hooks, and a piece of fabric 42 bearing loops that cooperate to secure them to each other. This type of removable fastening is known, for example, by the brand name Velcro. The piece of fabric 41 is attached to one end and one face of the strap 40, and the piece of fabric 42 is attached to the other end and opposite face of the strap 40. The reverse is also possible.

[0067] There figure 2 This illustrates a variant in which the first removable fastening element, then referenced as 4', comprises a strap 40' and two pieces 41', 42' of repositionable adhesive material. One of the two pieces of repositionable adhesive material can be removed, and the single piece then adheres directly to the strap 40' or the mattress 2.

[0068] Strap 40 or 40' may also not be present and parts 41, 41', 42, 42' are then fixed directly each on one of the opposite faces of mattress 2.

[0069] Finally, although not shown in the figures, the first removable fastening element can also consist of a hook cooperating with a ring (see, for example, the second removable fastening element 5 of the figure 2 ), the hook being fixed to the end of a strap, such as the 40 or 40' strap and the ring on the mattress 2 or vice versa.

[0070] The second removable fastening element 5 is intended to allow the modular device 1 to be fixed in a so-called "rolled-up" position, in which it is rolled up on itself and around the element to be protected A (position illustrated on the figure 5 ).

[0071] In other words, the second removable fastening element 5 allows the outer end 32 of the fabric strip 3 to be fixed against a part of the outer face 33 of the fabric 3 which is opposite this end.

[0072] As depicted on the figure 1 The second removable fastening element 5 may comprise two pieces of fabric 51, 52, one with hooks, the other with Velcro-type loops, each fixed (preferably sewn) to one of the opposite faces 33, 34 of the fabric 3. For example, on the figure 1 , part 51 is fixed on the outer face 33 of fabric 3 and the other part 52 is fixed on the face 34 and at the outer end 32. The reverse is also possible.

[0073] As previously described for the first removable fastener 4, parts 51 and 52 could be made of repositionable self-adhesive material. Alternatively, a single part could adhere directly to the surface of the fabric 3 opposite which it is positioned.

[0074] In the variant implementation of the figure 2 , the second removable fastening element referenced 5' comprises a strap 50' attached to the outer end 32 of the fabric strip 3, a hook 51' attached to the free end of the strap 50' and configured to cooperate with a ring 52' attached to the outer face 33 of the fabric strip 3. Reverse mounting is also possible.

[0075] The embodiments described for device 4 can be applied to device 5 and vice versa.

[0076] The lengths and widths of the different straps, the number and position of the Velcro or repositionable self-adhesive pieces or the hook and ring are adapted according to the dimensions of the element A to be protected.

[0077] The invention also relates to a method of fire protection for an element to be protected A (for example, a cable tray), which will now be described in connection with the Figures 5 And 6 .

[0078] According to a first step of this process, a first modular device 1 is fixed around the cable tray A with said first removable fixing element 4, 4'. If this fixing element has a strap, the strap is wrapped around the tray A and held in place by parts 41, 42, respectively 41', 42'. If there is no strap, parts 41, 42, respectively 41', 42' are assembled together, for example by first wrapping the mattress 2 around the tray A.

[0079] Next, the said first modular device 1 is wound around itself and around the cable track A and held in the wound position using the removable fixing device 5, 5'.

[0080] Cable tray A is thus protected.

[0081] Then, optionally, a second modular device or several other modular devices can be fixed in the same way, placing them side by side, that is, edge to edge, so that the lateral edges of these coils are close to each other or, better yet, in contact with each other, ensuring that there are no gaps between them and that the fire protection is as effective as possible. This forms a first layer of seven coiled modular devices.

[0082] It should be noted that it would possibly be possible to insert between path A and the modular devices, a layer of a single mattress 2 (without fabric strip 3).

[0083] On the cross-sectional view of the example implementation of the figure 6 , we can thus see for example four modular devices, referenced respectively 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, arranged side by side so as to form the first stratum 7 of coiled modules.

[0084] It is then possibly possible to reinforce fire protection by creating a second layer of protection.

[0085] In a subsequent step of the process, at least a third modular device is then wound around the first and second modular devices, such that this third modular device overlaps part of the first modular device and part of the second modular device, thereby increasing fire protection. This third modular device is secured using its removable fastening devices 4, 4', 5, 5'. This forms a second layer 8 of wound modular devices.

[0086] For example, the figure 6 We can thus see four modular fire-resistant devices, referenced respectively 1e, 1f, 1g, and 1h, arranged side by side to form the second layer 8 of coiled modules. As can be seen in this figure, all the modular devices here have the same width l, with the exception of the first modular device 1e of the second layer 8, which has a width l / 2, so as to allow the other modular devices 1f, 1g, and 1h of the second layer 8 to overlap those of the first.

[0087] When access to cable tray A is required, it is then easy to dismantle each modular device by detaching its second fixing device 5, 5', then unrolling it and finally detaching its first fixing device 4, 4'.

[0088] The modular device according to the invention is advantageous for the following reasons. The number of modular devices arranged end-to-end and the number of layers formed can be adapted to the dimensions and the rectilinear or non-rectilinear shape of the element to be protected A, as well as to the desired level of protection; the greater the number of layers, the greater the fire protection.

[0089] The widths of modular fire-resistant devices can vary. For example, in the implementation of the figure 7 , the modular devices 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h and 1i have respective widths l1, l2, l3, l4 and l5 that are different from each other.

[0090] Based on the example of the implementation of the figure 8, the modular devices 1e, 1f and 1g of the second stratum 8 each have a width l6, much less than the width l of the modular devices of the first stratum 7. Such an arrangement makes it possible for example to protect the edges of the modular devices of stratum 7 and to lighten the weight of all the modular devices arranged around the element to be protected.

[0091] In addition to the already mentioned advantages of modular devices according to the invention, it should also be noted that these can be prefabricated and stored in advance so that they can be installed very quickly or used to replace a damaged modular device.

[0092] Furthermore, their dismantling does not generate waste since they are simply unrolled.

[0093] Finally, the modular devices and the materials that make up these modules can be recycled independently of each other.

Claims

1. Passive fire protection device (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i) for an element to be protected (A), such as a cable tray, an air duct or a pipe, this protection device being modular, removable and capable of occupying a so-called "rolled-up" position, in which it is rolled up on itself and around the element to be protected (A), this device comprising: - a flexible mattress (2) comprising a thermal insulating material and an endothermic material, - an outer fabric strip (3) made of flexible, airtight material, attached to said flexible mattress (2), the mattress (2) having opposite inner (21) and outer (22) ends, and opposite inner (24) and outer (23) faces, said fabric strip (3) comprising an inner end (31) and an outer end (32) opposite each other, and an inner face (34) and an outer face (33) opposite each other, the inside and outside being defined in relation to the position of the protective device when it is in the rolled-up position, this protective device (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i) comprising: - a first removable fastening element (4, 4') of the protective device (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i) to the element to be protected (A), this first removable fastening element (4, 4') being fastened to the inner end (21) of said flexible mattress (2), - a second removable fastening element (5, 5'), fastened to said fabric strip (3), the fabric strip (3) having a length (L3) configured so that the outer end (32) of the fabric strip (3), which is outside the roll, covers part of the outer face (33) of the fabric strip (3) when the protective device (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i) is in said rolled-up position, and the second removable fastening element (5, 5') being positioned on said fabric strip (3) so as to hold the outer end (32) of the fabric strip (3) against the part of the outer face (33) of the fabric strip (3) that it covers when said protective device is in the rolled-up position, this protective device (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i) being characterised in that the flexible mattress (2) has a length (L2), this length (L2) being configured to wrap at least one turn around the element to be protected (A), in that the first removable fastening element (4, 4') comprises a strap (40, 40') attached to the inner end (21) of the flexible mattress (2), and in that this strap (40, 40') comprises: - either at one of its ends and on one of its faces, a piece of fabric (41) bearing hooks and at its other end and on the other of its faces, a piece of fabric (42) bearing loops, the piece of fabric (41) and the piece of fabric (42) bearing loops cooperating together to ensure their attachment to each other, - either at one of its ends and on one of its faces, a piece of repositionable adhesive material (41') and at its other end and on the other of its faces, a piece of repositionable adhesive material (42'), cooperating together to ensure their attachment to each other, - either at one of its ends, a hook configured to cooperate with a ring fixed to the mattress (2) or a ring configured to cooperate with a hook fixed to the mattress (2).

2. Modular device according to claim 1, characterised in that the inner end (31) of the fabric strip (3) is attached to the outer end (22) of the mattress (2) and extends in line with said mattress (2).

3. Modular device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fabric strip (3) is fixed to the mattress (2) so that at least part of its inner surface (34) is in contact with at least part of the outer surface (23) of the mattress (2), and preferably so that its entire inner surface (34) is in contact with the entire outer surface (23) of the mattress (2).

4. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second removable fastening element (5) comprises at least one piece of looped fabric (42, 52) and at least one piece of hooked fabric (41, 51), arranged and configured to cooperate together and ensure fastening.

5. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second removable fastening element comprises at least one piece (41', 42') of repositionable self-adhesive material.

6. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second removable fastening element (5') comprises a hook (51') and a ring (52') configured to cooperate together and ensure fastening.

7. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the thermal insulation material is chosen from mineral wool or silicone foam.

8. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the endothermic material is selected from sodium metasilicate or calcium metasilicate.

9. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer fabric strip (3) is a siliconised fabric.

10. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mattress (2) comprises, in cross-section, at least one layer (6) of the endothermic product and at least one layer (7) of the thermal insulating material.

11. Modular device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the mattress (2) comprises, in cross-section, at least one layer (8) of insulating material inside which the said endothermic product is integrated.

12. Method for protecting against fire an element to be protected (A), such as a cable tray, an air duct or a pipe, characterised in that it comprises the steps consisting of: - fixing a first modular device (1, 1a) in accordance with any of the preceding claims around said element to be protected (A) with said first removable fastening element (4, 4'), - winding said first modular device (1, 1a) around itself and holding it in the wound position with said second removable fastening element (5, 5'), - and optionally attaching at least one second modular device (1b, 1c, 1d) in accordance with any of the preceding claims around said element to be protected (A) with said first removable fastening element (4, 4') and to roll said second modular device (1b, 1c, 1d) onto itself and hold it in the rolled position with said second removable fastening element (5, 5'), so that the various modular devices (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) are arranged side by side and together form a first layer (7) of modular devices.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that it comprises the steps of: - attaching at least one second device (1b, 1c, 1d) according to any of claims 1 to 11 around said element to be protected (A) with said first removable fastening element (4, 4') and winding said second modular device (1b, 1c, 1d) onto itself and holding it in the wound position with said second removable fixing element ( ) (5, 5'), so that the various modular devices (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) are arranged side by side and together form a first layer (7) of devices, - to fix at least one third modular device (1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i) in accordance with any of claims 1 to 11, around the first layer (7), with said first removable fastening element (4, 4'), - winding said third modular device (1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i) onto itself so as to form a second layer (8), and holding it in the wound position with its second removable fastening element (5, 5'), at least this third modular device (1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i) being arranged so as to overlap a part of the first modular device (1, 1a) and a part of the second modular device (1b, 1c, 1d).

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