In order to comply with the Building Regulations certain elements of the structure of every building construction need to have fire resistance for a specified minimum period of time. The amount of fire protection required depends on the shape and size of the steel section, the area of exposure to fire of the steel, the type of the protection used and the duration of the fire resistance specified. There are two types of fire rated board cladding to structural steelwork giving up to four hours of fire rating to the structural steelwork encased.
Calcium Silicate Fire Protection Boards
Manufactured from white powder derived from limestone and diatomaceous earth, the calcium silicate board is known for its stability and excellent performance even in damp and humid conditions. This fire rated board cladding system can be applied when highly decorative finish is required.
Mineral FIbre Fire Protection Boards
These boards are manufactured from filaments spun from molten rock. The wool-like material is then impregnated and compressed into boards. This cladding system is suitable for both new establishments and rennovation of existing buildings. It is widely applied in public and high-rise buildings where the highest possible level of fire rating is required.
Noble Protection offers fast, safe, cost effective and practical solution for the protection of all internal, semi - exposed and fully exposed building steel structures against fire. By applying a variety of fire rated reactive coatings, commonly known as intumescent paints, we can fire protect the steelwork for up to 2 hours.
Design and reaction of intumescent coatings
Intumescent coatings are designed to protect the structural steel sections in case of fire. Under the influence of heat, the intumescent paint reacts and forms an insulating foam layer / char barrier, which keeps the temperature of the steel below 550° C.
The intumescent coatings are based on the following system:
• Steel surface preparation
• Primer coat
• Base coat (Intumescent coat)
• Top seal
The base coat is the element of the system which reacts to the fire and consists of the following components:
• Catalyst
• Carbohydrate
• Binder
• Foaming (expanding) agent
In a fire situation, the coating will soften, and the increase of the temperature causes a chemical reaction. The catalyst decomposes into an organic acid which combines with the carbohydrate to form a carbon char. The foaming agent gives off a large volume of non-flammable gas which combines with the char to form a solid insulating layer which expands some 50-100 times than the original coat that protects the substrate.
Application of intumescent coatings
A number of important factors must be considered prior to the selection and application of intumescent coating systems. These factors are often ignored or underestimated which drove down the quality of intumescent paints' application and significantly reduced the capability of the system in a fire situation. A poor quality workmanship can also causes extenNoble Protectione delamination of intumescent coating very early, within a year or two of the original application.
When it comes to the protection of ducts in commercial applications GLT Products offers 2 types of Firestop Blankets. The 3M Fire Barrier Plenum Wrap 5A is a fire resistant wrap consisting of a patented inorganic blanket encapsulated with a scrim-reinforced foil. Our other solution, 3M Fire Barrier Duct Wrap 615+ is the only fire rated duct wrap you need for code required protection of grease and air ducts.