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 a flexible and airtight material, fixed to said mattress (2), a first removable fixing element (4), fixed to the mattress (2) and making it possible to fix the modular device (1) on the element to be protected (A), a second removable fixing element (5), fixed to said fabric strip (3) and making it possible to maintain the modular device (1) in a rolled-up position. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Modular and removable device for passive fire protection of an element to be protected. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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

[0004] By "element to be protected", we mainly mean a cable tray, but also an air duct or a pipe.

[0005] A "cable tray" is a support device, which allows one or more cables to be received, for example electrical cables or computer or multimedia networks. Such a cable tray is generally attached to the walls (walls, floors, ceilings) of a room. It can be used for example in the construction, industry and nuclear power plants.

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

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

[0008] A passive protection system of the taping type is already known from the state of the art, which consists of taping, i.e. surrounding, the entire length of a cable tray and the cables located therein, 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 of the fibrous type, held by glue containing alumina, aluminum and / or an endothermic product which absorbs heat to release water above 100°C, or of the intumescent type, or of the rigid type.

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

[0011] Although such a system can protect cables against fire, it does have many disadvantages, such as:

[0012] • the fact that the cables are no longer visible once taped and therefore cannot no longer be inspected, except by destroying the wrapping and redoing it periodically after each inspection of the cables,

[0013] • the fact that to add a cable in the cable tray, it is also necessary to destroy the wrapping,

[0014] • the fact that it is necessary to partially or completely destroy wrapping, using sharp tools, while the cables are live and may be necessary for the proper functioning of an installation, which may generate a risk for the operator, or even be detrimental to the proper functioning of the installation,

[0015] • the fact that this destruction of the wrapping generates waste, which contains for example, fibers, alumina, aluminum, endothermic products or even intumescent materials and that this waste is harmful to nearby installations. This problem is even more troublesome when a nuclear reactor is located nearby.

[0016] Furthermore, intumescent products have the particularity of swelling under the effect of heat, this calculated expansion making it possible to achieve the heat insulation performances determined during the qualification tests. However, these products lose their effectiveness over time, making it difficult to justify their long-term performances. In addition, an intumescent product can produce debris under the effect of heat in the event of long-term exposure or in the event of external aggression (mechanical for example).

[0017] Cable tray protection systems are also known in the state of the art, outside nuclear installations, but these protection systems are:

[0018] -either flexible, but contain polluting elements, such as fibers and / or intumescent materials, including silica,

[0019] - are rigid, but in addition to the pollutants they contain, are heavier and therefore difficult and time-consuming to install.

[0020] Such rigid and heavy systems are not suitable because they require 3D scans of the cable trays before custom manufacturing of the protection system and / or because they require support reinforcements and recalculation of the dimensioning and earthquake resistance. Statement of the invention

[0021] The invention therefore aims to propose a passive fire protection device for an element to be protected: - which guarantees the maintenance of the functionality of the protected element, in the event of fire, - which allows the heat load to be removed, i.e. 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) forming part of a set of such devices arranged side by side.

[0022] To this end, the invention relates to a modular and removable device for passive fire protection of an element to be protected, such as a cable tray, an air duct or a pipe for example.

[0023] According to the invention, this device comprises 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 fixed to said flexible mattress, - a first removable fixing element, fixed to the inner end of said flexible mattress and configured to allow the modular device to be fixed to the element to be protected, - a second removable fixing element, fixed to said strip of fabric and configured to allow the modular device to be held in a rolled-up position, in which it is rolled up on itself and around said element to be protected, in that the length of the flexible mattress is configured to wrap 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 fastening element are such that when the modular device is in the wound position, the outer end of the fabric strip, which is outside the winding, covers a portion of the outer face of the fabric strip and is held against it.

[0024] Thanks to these characteristics of the invention, and in particular to the flexible nature of the device, it can be easily rolled up and adapted to the configuration of the element to be protected.

[0025] Furthermore, thanks to the removable fixing devices, the device is mounted and held in place without permanent gluing, which makes it very easy to dismantle the device when access to the protected element (for example the cable tray) is required, and conversely to reassemble it when work on this element is complete.

[0026] Finally, several modular devices can be rolled up on top of each other, i.e. superimposed, so as to achieve the expected performance in terms of fire protection.

[0027] According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination:

[0028] -the inner end of the fabric strip is fixed to the outer end of the mattress and extends in the extension of said mattress.

[0029] - the strip of fabric is fixed on the mattress, so that at least part of its face interior is in contact with at least part of the exterior face of the mattress, and preferably, that the entirety of its interior face is in contact with the entirety of the exterior face of the mattress.

[0030] -at least one of the first removable fastening element and the second removable fastening element comprises at least one piece of looped fabric and at least one piece of hooked fabric, arranged and configured to cooperate together and provide fastening.

[0031] -at least one of the first removable fastening element and the second removable fastening element comprises at least one piece of repositionable self-adhesive material.

[0032] -at least one of the first removable fastening element and the second removable fastening element comprises a hook and a ring configured to cooperate together and provide fastening.

[0033] -the thermal insulating material is chosen from mineral wool or silicone foam.

[0034] -the endothermic material is chosen from sodium metasilicate or calcium metasilicate.

[0035] -the outer fabric strip is a silicone fabric.

[0036] -the mattress comprises in cross section, at least one layer of the endothermic product and at least one layer of the thermal insulating material.

[0037] -the mattress comprises in cross section, at least one layer of the insulating material inside which said endothermic product is integrated.

[0038] The invention also relates to a method of protecting against fire an element to be protected, such as a cable tray, an air duct or a pipe.

[0039] According to the invention, this method comprises the steps consisting of:

[0040] - to fix a first modular device as mentioned above, around said element to protect with said first removable fixing element, - rolling up said first modular device on itself and holding it in the rolled up position with said second removable fixing element, - and optionally fixing at least one second modular device as described above, around said element to be protected with said first removable fixing element and rolling up said second modular device on itself and keeping it in the rolled up 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.

[0041] According to other characteristics of the invention, the method comprises the steps consisting of:

[0042] -fixing at least one second device as mentioned above, around said element to be protected with said first removable fixing element and rolling said second modular device on itself and keeping 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 devices, -to fix at least one third modular device as described above, around the first layer, with said first removable fixing element, -to roll up said third modular device on itself so as to form a second layer, and to hold it in the rolled up position with its second removable fixing element, this at least third modular device being arranged so as to overlap a part of the first modular device and a part of the second modular device

[0043] Such a method has the advantage of being able to be implemented easily and directly on the installation site of the element to be protected and by personnel who are easy to train, since it is sufficient to wrap each modular device around the element to be protected. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0044] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and which must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0045] [Fig.l] represents a schematic and perspective view of a modular device according to the invention.

[0046] [Fig.2] represents a schematic and perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the modular device according to the invention.

[0047] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of the modular device, taken in the plane cutting line passing through line III-III of [Fig.2].

[0048] [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.3], but representing a second mode of realization of the invention.

[0049] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of a cable tray, inside which cables are arranged and which is surrounded by two modular devices in accordance with the invention, the second being wound around the first.

[0050] [Fig.6] is a longitudinal sectional diagram of an element to be protected, covered with several modular devices, arranged according to a first layout.

[0051] [Fig.7] is a longitudinal sectional diagram of an element to be protected, covered with several modular devices, of different widths, arranged in a second layout.

[0052] [Fig.8] is a longitudinal sectional diagram of an element to be protected, covered with several modular devices, of different widths, arranged in a third layout. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0053] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the modular passive fire protection device according to the invention, referenced 1, is intended to protect an element to be protected, referenced A. In the remainder of the description, this element A will be described as a cable tray but it could be another element as mentioned previously.

[0054] More precisely, this device is intended to be wound on itself and around the element A. In [Fig.5], we can thus see a cable tray A, inside which one or more cables B are arranged. Although this is not shown in this figure, the cable tray A, in the form of an open chute, could be closed at its upper part by a cover.

[0055] The device 1 is of elongated shape and extends along a longitudinal axis X-X'.

[0056] When the device 1 is wound on itself and around the cable tray A, it is wound around an axis Y-Y' perpendicular to its longitudinal axis X-X'.

[0057] The 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.

[0058] The mattress 2 has an overall thickness E, a width 1 and a length L2.

[0059] Preferably, the mattress 2 has an elongated shape, such as a shape of strip, for example a rectangular shape. The mattress 2 comprises a longitudinal axis X-X' which merges with that of the device 1. The mattress 2 could however also be of square shape.

[0060] Also preferably, its thickness E is smaller than its length L2, so as to facilitate the winding of the device 1 on itself.

[0061] The length L2 of the mattress 2 must be sufficient to achieve a winding of at least one turn around the element to be protected A.

[0062] 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 on itself around the cable path, (see the wound position in [Fig.5]).

[0063] The mattress 2 comprises a thermal insulating material and an endothermic material. The endothermic material has the function of absorbing heat in the event of a fire and more precisely of releasing water above a threshold temperature.

[0064] 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, interposed between two layers 7 of thermal insulating material. In the exemplary embodiment shown in [Fig.3], the mattress 2 thus comprises two layers 6 of endothermic product and three layers 7 of thermal insulating material. Choice of materials#:

[0065] The endothermic material is preferably chosen from sodium metasilicate or calcium metasilicate. Preferably, the endothermic material is free of alumina or aluminum.

[0066] The endothermic product may be presented for example in powder form and be included in sachets to form layer 6.

[0067] The thermal insulating material is chosen from fibrous type insulators (for example mineral wool) or non-fibrous type insulators (for example silicone foam type).

[0068] Preferably, the different layers 6 and 7 are fixed together so as to prevent the relative sliding of one with respect to the other, in particular at the time of winding.

[0069] The number of layers 6, 7, as well as their respective thicknesses E1, E2, and the choice of materials can vary and is adapted to the fire-resistant performance required for the device 1 (in particular the temperature rise and the duration during which the module 1 must resist fire).

[0070] However, preferably, the thickness E1 of the layer 6 of endothermic product is advantageously between 2 mm and 10 mm, so as to guarantee the fire-resistant effectiveness of the product. For the same reasons, the thickness E2 of the layer 7 of insulating material is advantageously between 10 mm and 25 mm.

[0071] According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in the cross-section of [Fig.4], the mattress 2 comprises at least one layer 8, preferably at least two superimposed layers 8 of insulating material inside which the endothermic product is introduced (mixed). In the example of [Fig.4], three layers 8 can be seen.

[0072] This second embodiment makes it possible to reduce the overall thickness E of the mattress 2.

[0073] The insulating material and the endothermic product are the same as those described previously for the first embodiment of the invention.

[0074] As for the first embodiment, the number and thickness of the different layers 8 can vary depending on the desired fire-resistant effectiveness.

[0075] In the two embodiments which have just been described, the materials constituting the layers 6, 7 and 8 are chosen so that these different layers are flexible and deformable so that the entire device 1 is also flexible and deformable.

[0076] The outer fabric strip 3 is made of a flexible, deformable material so that it can also be wound around the element A.

[0077] The outer fabric strip 3 is an airtight fabric. This fabric is preferably a washable fabric. It is also preferably decontaminable.

[0078] For example, the fabric 3 may be a silicone fabric.

[0079] The strip of fabric 3 has a length L3 and a width 1, identical to that of the mattress 2. Preferably, it has an elongated shape, such as a strip shape, for example a rectangular shape. However, it could also be square in shape.

[0080] The strip of fabric 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 on itself around the cable path, (see [Fig.5]).

[0081] 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) a 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 in [Fig.5].

[0082] According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig.l], the strip of fabric 3 is fixed (preferably glued) to the outer end 22 of the mattress 2 and it extends longitudinally in the extension of this mattress. In other words, the inner end 31 of the strip of fabric 3 is fixed to the outer end 22 of the mattress 2.

[0083] According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig.2], the strip of fabric 3 is fixed (preferably glued) to 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.

[0084] Although this is not shown in [Fig.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 the fabric 3).

[0085] Finally, according to a third embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figures, the strip of fabric 3 can be of the same length as the mattress 2 and cover only the upper face 23 of the latter.

[0086] Finally, it is possible to cover the inner face 34 of the strip of fabric 3 with a layer of endothermic material.

[0087] The first removable fixing element 4 is intended to allow the modular device 1 to be fixed, more precisely its inner end 21, to the element to be protected A. By "removable", it is meant that this fixing element can be detached after having been fixed and conversely be reattached without damaging the modular device 1, and this, repeatedly, which allows the module 1 to be unrolled, if this is necessary to access the cable tray A.

[0088] According to a first embodiment shown in [Fig.l], the first removable fastening element 4 comprises a strap 40, fixed to the inner end 21 of the mattress 2, a piece of fabric 41 carrying hooks and a piece of fabric 42 carrying loops cooperating together to ensure their fixing with each other. This type of removable fixing is known for example under the brand name Velcro. The piece of fabric 41 is fixed to one end and on one face of the strap 40 and the piece of fabric 42 is fixed to the other end and on the opposite face of the strap 40. The reverse is also possible.

[0089] [Fig. 2] illustrates a variant according to which the first removable fixing element then referenced 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.

[0090] The strap 40 or 40' may also not be present and the parts 41, 41', 42, 42' are then each fixed directly to one of the opposite faces of the mattress 2.

[0091] Finally, although this is not shown in the figures, the first removable fixing element can also consist of a hook cooperating with a ring (see for example the second removable fixing element 5 of [Fig.2]), the hook being fixed to the end of a strap and the ring on the mattress 2 or vice versa.

[0092] The second removable fixing element 5 is intended to allow the modular device 1 to be fixed in a so-called “rolled” position, in which it is rolled up on itself and around said element to be protected A (position illustrated in [Fig.5]).

[0093] In other words, the second removable fixing element 5 makes it possible to fix the outer end 32 of the strip of fabric 3 against a part of the outer face 33 of the fabric 3 which is located opposite this end.

[0094] As shown in [Fig.l], 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 in [Fig.l], the piece 51 is fixed to the outer face 33 of the fabric 3 and the other piece 52 is fixed to the face 34 and to the outer end 32. The reverse is also possible.

[0095] Just as described previously for the first removable fixing element 4, the parts 51, 52 could be made of repositionable self-adhesive material. It is also possible to have only one part which sticks directly to the face of the fabric 3 opposite which it is positioned.

[0096] In the variant embodiment of [Fig.2], the second removable fixing element referenced 5' comprises a strap 50' fixed to the outer end 32 of the strip of fabric 3, a hook 51' fixed to the free end of the strap 50' and configured to cooperate with a ring 52' fixed to the outer face 33 of the strip of fabric 3. Reverse mounting is also possible.

[0097] The embodiments described for device 4 can be applied to device 5 and vice versa.

[0098] 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.

[0099] The invention also relates to a method of protecting against fire an element to be protected A (for example cable tray) which will now be described in connection with figures 5 and 6.

[0100] According to a first step of this method, a first modular device 1 is fixed around the cable tray A with said first removable fixing element 4, 4'. If this fixing element comprises a strap, it is wrapped around the tray A and held by the parts 41, 42, respectively 41', 42'. If there is no strap, the parts 41, 42, respectively 41', 42' are assembled together, for example by starting to wrap the mattress 2 around the tray A.

[0101] Then, said first modular device 1 is wound on itself and around the cable tray A and held in the wound position using the removable fixing device 5, 5'.

[0102] Cable tray A is thus protected.

[0103] Then, optionally, a second modular device or several other modular devices can be fixed in the same way, by arranging them side by side, that is to say edge to edge so that the lateral edges of these windings are close to each other or better in contact with each other, so that there is no free space between them and the fire protection is as effective as possible. This forms a first layer 7 of wound modular devices.

[0104] It will be noted that it would possibly be possible to insert between the path A and the modular devices, a layer of a mattress 2 alone (without a strip of fabric 3).

[0105] In the sectional view of the embodiment of [Fig.6], one 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 layer 7 of rolled-up modules.

[0106] It is then possible to reinforce the fire protection by creating a second layer of protection.

[0107] According to a subsequent step of the method, at least one third modular device is then wound around the first and second modular devices, so that this third modular device overlaps a part of the first modular device and a part of the second modular device and thus reinforces the fire protection. This third modular device is fixed using its removable fixing devices 4, 4', 5, 5'. A second layer 8 of wound modular devices is thus formed.

[0108] In the example of [Fig.6], we can thus see four modular fire-proof devices, referenced respectively le, If, 1g and Ih, arranged side by side so as to form the second layer 8 of rolled-up modules. As can be seen in this figure, all the modular devices here have the same width 1, with the exception of the first modular device le of the second layer 8 which has a width 1 / 2, so as to allow the overlapping of the other modular devices If, 1g, Ih of the second layer 8 with respect to those of the first.

[0109] When access to the cable tray A is desired, 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'.

[0110] 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 protection against fire.

[0111] The widths of the modular fire-proof devices can be variable. Thus, in the example embodiment of [Fig.7], the modular devices 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h and 1i have respective widths 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 that are different from each other.

[0112] In the exemplary embodiment of [Fig.8], the modular devices 1e, 1f and 1g of the second layer 8 each have a width 16, much less than the width 1 of the modular devices of the first layer 7. Such an arrangement makes it possible, for example, to protect the edges of the modular devices of the layer 7 and to reduce the weight of all the modular devices arranged around the element to be protected.

[0113] In addition to the advantages already mentioned of the modular devices according to the invention, it will 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.

[0114] In addition, their dismantling does not generate waste since they are simply unrolled.

[0115] Finally, the modular devices and the materials constituting these modules can be recycled independently of each other.

Claims

1.

2. Claims Modular and removable device (1, la, 1b, le, Id, le, If, 1g, Ih, li) for passive fire protection of an element to be protected (A), such as a cable tray, an air duct or a pipe, characterized in that it comprises: - a flexible mattress (2), comprising a thermal insulating material and an endothermic material, this mattress (2) having an inner end (21) and an outer end (22) opposite, and an inner face (24) and an outer face (23) opposite - an external strip of fabric (3), made of flexible and airtight material, this strip of fabric (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, this strip of fabric (3) being fixed to said flexible mattress (2), -a first removable fixing element (4, 4') of the modular device (1, la, 1b, le, Id, le, If, 1g, Ih, li) on the element to be protected (A), this first removable fixing element (4, 4') being fixed to the inner end (21) of said flexible mattress (2), -a second removable fixing and holding element (5, 5') of the modular device (1, la, 1b, le, Id, le, If, 1g, Ih, li) in a wound position, in which it is wound on itself and around said element to be protected (A), this second removable fixing and holding element (5, 5') being fixed to said strip of fabric (3), in that the length (L2) of the flexible mattress (2) is configured to wind at least one turn around the element to be protected (A), and in that the length (L3) of the fabric strip (3) and the positioning of the second removable fixing element (5, 5') are such that when the modular device (1, la, 1b, le, Id, le, If, 1g, Ih, li) is in the wound position, the outer end (32) of the fabric strip (3), which is located outside the winding, covers a part of the outer face (33) of the fabric strip (3) and is held against it. Modular device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first removable fixing element (4, 4') comprises a strap (40, 40') fixed to the inner end (21) of the flexible mattress (2), and in that this strap (40) comprises: - either at one of its ends and on one of its faces, a piece of fabric (41) carrying hooks and at its other end and on the other of its faces, a piece of fabric (42) carrying loops, the piece of fabric (41) and the piece of fabric (42) carrying 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'), - 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).

3. Modular device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner end (31) of the fabric strip (3) is fixed to the outer end (22) of the mattress (2) and extends in the extension of said mattress (2).

4. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strip of fabric (3) is fixed to 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), and preferably, that the whole of its inner face (34) is in contact with the whole of the outer face (23) of the mattress (2).

5. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the first removable fixing element (4) and the second removable fixing 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 fixing.

6. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the elements among the first removable fixing element (4') and the second removable fixing element comprises at least one piece (41', 42') of repositionable self-adhesive material.

7. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the elements among the first removable fixing element and the second removable fixing element (5') comprises a hook (51') and a ring (52') configured to cooperate together and ensure fixing.

8. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermal insulating material is chosen from mineral wool or silicone foam.

9. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the endothermic material is chosen from sodium metasilicate or calcium metasilicate.

10. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external fabric strip (3) is a silicone fabric.

11. Modular device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized 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.

12. Modular device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the mattress (2) comprises in cross section, at least one layer (8) of the insulating material inside which said endothermic product is integrated.

13. Method for fire protection of an element to be protected (A), such as a cable tray, an air duct or a pipe, characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting of: - fixing a first modular device (1, 1a) according to any one of the preceding claims, around said element to be protected (A) with said first removable fixing element (4, 4'), - winding said first modular device (1, 1a) on itself and holding it in the wound position with said second removable fixing element (5, 5'), - and optionally fixing at least one second modular device (1b, 1c, 1d) according to any one of the preceding claims, around said element to be protected (A) with said first removable fixing element (4, 4') and winding said second modular device (1b, 1c, 1d) on itself and holding it in the wound position with said second removable fixing element (5, 5'),so that the different modular devices (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) are arranged side by side and together form a first layer (7) of modular devices.,

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting of: -fixing at least one second device (1b, 1c, 1d) according to any one of the preceding claims, around said element to be protected (A) with said first removable fixing element (4, 4') and winding said second modular device (1b, 1c, 1d) on itself and keeping it in the wound position with said second removable fixing element (5, 5'), so that the different modular devices (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) are arranged side by side and together form a first layer (7) of devices, -fixing at least one third modular device (1c, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i) according to any one of the preceding claims, around the first layer (7), with said first removable fixing element (4, 4'), -to roll up said third modular device (le, If, 1g, Ih, li) on itself so as to form a second layer (8), and to hold it in the rolled up position with its second removable fixing element (5, 5'), this at least third modular device (le, If, 1g, Ih, li) being arranged so as to overlap a part of the first modular device (1, la) and a part of the second modular device (1b, le, Id).

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