Words and expressions related to fire insulation can often seem confusing. There are many thicknesses and fire classes to keep track of. Isopartner provides you with the right fire insulation for steel columns and beams, as well as what you need for fire insulation of penetrations. You don't have to worry about dimensioning and fire classification of the insulation thickness.
Although steel is not flammable, its load-bearing capacity decreases as the temperature rises. The consequences are fatal if a building collapses before people have time to get out. When steel reaches a temperature of 500 degrees centigrade, its load-bearing capacity is about half of what it is at 20 degrees centigrade.
In a normal fire, it takes approximately eight to nine minutes for the steel to reach 500 degrees (time-temperature curve according to ISO 834) if it is not insulated. Isopartner can help dimension the insulation thickness once we know the fire resistance, critical steel temperature, steel profile and steel thickness.
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Fireproofing in the same fire class as the surroundings
To prevent a fire from developing uncontrollably, fireproofing of penetrations must correspond to the same fire class as the wall, ceiling and roof.
Penetrations in this context are pipes, ventilation ducts, cables and everything that passes through walls and ceilings.
Fire resistance
The fire resistance of fire-rated building elements is measured in terms of integrity according to how gas- and smoke-tight it is (E) and the insulation's ability to withstand the maximum temperature rise on the unexposed side (I).
The most common fire classes are EI 30, EI 60, EI 90 or EI 120.
Additional classification is given on the basis of the amount of smoke and burning droplets produced (s=smoke, s1, s2, s3. d=burning droplets, d0, d1, d2).
Products used in fire compartments with class REI 90 and higher (R=load-bearing capacity) have requirements for s1-3 and d0-2.
Steel columns/beams are fire rated for R only.
Isopartner can assist with the dimensioning of the insulating column thickness when the R requirement is stated together with the maximum steel temperature.
For load-bearing steel structures, it is the load-bearing capacity, expressed by R, that is crucial. The R value describes how many minutes the steel's load-bearing capacity must be maintained in the event of a fire. We operate with the classes R60, R120 and R180.
Isopartner can help you find the right products and installation instructions.
Escape routes
Insulating technical installations for cooling in escape routes can sometimes be a challenge. If the total exposed surface of the insulation is less than 20 per cent of the adjacent wall or ceiling surface, products that satisfy BL-s3,d0 (TEK17, Section 11-10) can be used. Here we can use ArmaFlex Ultima, as it fulfils the requirement.
Common to all fire insulation and sealing is that it is installed exactly according to the installation instructions. In some cases, it is difficult to install insulation or perform sealing according to the installation instructions. In such cases, a deviation report must be written. The contractor can then check out the discrepancy with the consulting engineer on the building (RIB).
We help you calculate the insulation and sealing you need
If you need help calculating the dimension and quantity of fire insulation, don't hesitate to contact us.
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