Resistance to fire
We distinguish between reaction to fire and resistance to fire. While the European classification for reaction to fire describes the combustibility characteristic of building materials, resistance to fire describes the period for which a particular construction can resist exposure to a specified fire load, whilst maintaining its form and function.
HOW ARE INSULATION AND INTEGRITY MEASURED?
The resistance to fire is the ability of a construction element to maintain its fire stability, integrity, and thermal insulation for a certain period of time.
Fire integrity (E) is the ability of a construction element with a separating function, that is exposed to fire on one side only, to prevent the transmission of fire to the unexposed side as a result of the passage of flames and hot gases.
Thermal insulation (I) is the ability of a construction element with a separating function to withstand fire exposure on one side only, without the transmission of fire as a result of a significant transfer of heat from the exposed side to the unexposed side.
A construction should limit the temperature rise on the unexposed side so that it is at most 140 ° C in average and never above 180 ° C at one point.
WHAT IS “Open state fire resistant rated”?
Unlike other products on the market, our Firebreather products labelled “Open state fire resistant rated” do not let flames, hot gases, nor embers pass at any time, from the first second and during the fire rating time specified. These ensure ventilation of the cavity in normal time.
Other products based on other technologies let flames throught during the first minutes.
The minimum fire rating (EI) requirement for cavity barriers is 30 minutes. FB Cavity Barrier is available in EI30, 60, and 90.