Design Guide Fire Protection
Design Guide Fire Protection
Design Guide Fire Protection
P R O T E C T I O N
F I R E
FIRE
PROTECTION
F I R E D E S I G N G U I D E
Introduction.
The Bradford Insulation Group forms part of the
product improvement, technical details as published are
subject to change without notice. Similarly, regional fire
regulations referenced in this guide may also change over
time, and current information should be obtained at the
Building Materials Division of CSR Limited. CSR
design stage.
Bradford Insulation manufactures and markets an
extensive range of insulation products offering outstanding TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
fire protection, thermal and acoustic properties for use in To assist designers, a free and comprehensive technical
all types of industrial and marine applications as well as service, as well as advice and assistance in specifying and
domestic and commercial buildings. using Bradford products is available from CSR Bradford
Two mineral fibre insulation types are available; Insulation offices in your region. Further technical data
‘Bradford Glasswool’, which is manufactured by and product updates are also available on the CSR
controlled felting of glass wool bonded with a Building Solutions Website: www.csr.com.au/bradford
thermosetting resin; and ‘Bradford Fibertex™ Rockwool’
which is spun from natural rock and bonded with a
The Importance of
Fire Protection Insulation.
In most countries, approval for the occupancy of a building or the use of an industrial process
or the launch of a new ship, depends on passing fire safety regulations. These regulations and codes
have been developed around the world from the tragic experiences of real fires resulting in loss of
life or property. Investigations by fire fighters and government fire authorities have led to requirements
that the use of fire rated building materials should be included in designs, particularly in high fire
risk environments.
Whilst many countries are now moving away from prescriptive to performance based regulations,
the principle objective remains that of minimising the spread of flames and the release of toxic fumes
from fires to ensure occupants have sufficient time to safely escape the inferno.
Rockwool mineral fibre insulation, in particular, has achieved widespread international use as a
lightweight, adaptable and effective fire rated building product for use in passive fire protection systems
design.
Passive fire protection is a term which describes materials that are an integral part of the
construction of a building. These products are most effective when assembled into compartments,
forming fire rated barriers. This allows occupants of other parts of a building to safely escape from
the dangers of a fire.
Improved Thermal Comfort Not only does insulation provide fire protection, it also
all year round. assists greatly in creating a more comfortable environment all
year round due to its excellent thermal characteristics.
Reduced Noise Levels Bradford Glasswool and Rockwool are excellent sound
absorbers and can assist in reducing noise transmission
through building elements such as partitions, marine
bulkheads and decks.
9Air Conditioning
Duct Insulation
(Rigid & Flexible Ducts)
1
Lift Well
2
Party
Wall
3
Fire
Barrier
4
Curtain
Wall
7 Kitchen
Exhaust
Ducts
5 Columns &
Beams
6 Plant Room Wall &
Ceiling Insulation
1Marine
Deckhead
& Bulkhead
2 Marine
Thermal &
Acoustic
4 Process Equipment,
Pipes, Storage Tanks
& Furnaces
3 Cryogenic
Vessels
Design Considerations.
In the selection and design of the optimum type of insulation for fire protection applications, there are several factors
which need to be taken into account to ensure total performance requirements are met.
CONSIDERATION ACTION.
Principles of fire protection in buildings Ensure passive insulation systems and products provide sufficient fire
rating protection to allow occupants to escape.
Building codes and regulations Confirm local building fire regulations for the class of building under
construction.
Testing certification Ensure test certificates available to meet fire regulations – particularly
for marine.
Maximum service temperature Choose insulation material capable of operating continuously at
prescribed temperature.
Facings Choose facings and adhesives with appropriate fire ratings.
Heat transfer and thermal conductivity Consider temperature control requirements of processes and ensure
insulation type suitable for applications.
Acoustic benefits Consider noise control regulations and acoustic benefits provided
by insulation.
Penetrations/gaps Ensure all wall penetrations and gaps have fire protection insulation.
Toxicity of product when burnt Consider toxicity of insulation off-gases and choose insulation
with lowest toxicity.
Suitability of sealants Ensure sealants meet appropriate fire rating for system.
Ease of installation Allow space for application of thickness of fire protection insulation.
Installation cost Choose insulation that is readily available and cost effective.
Environmental Choose environmentally friendly insulation products using
ecologically sustainable raw materials and with a positive embodied
energy life cycle
Health & Safety Observe MSDS recommendations
China
Taiwan
India Hong Kong
Thailand Vietnam Philippines
Malaysia
Singapore
Indonesia
Australia
New
Zealand
Temperature (°C)
equivalent.
900
Australian Standard AS1668.1 Part 1 ‘Fire and smoke
800
control in multi compartment buildings’ prescribes that
materials used in ductwork for fire dampers, smoke spill 700
CELLULOSE FIBERGLASS
WOOL SPF WOOD
AS FAST AS
GM 25 D. FIR
WOOD
30.0 UF
GM 57
Time - Response (minutes)
MOD CLASS A
PVC-A P.E.II
GM 21
PTFE RESIN P.E.I
GM 47 PVC H.R.E GM 23
THAN WOOD
GM-49
FASTER
10.0 PVC-CN
GM 27
ABS-3 CLASS B
PCP-CN
MUCH FASTER
3.0
THAN WOOD
CLASS C
CLASS D
1.0
FS 001 FS 002
VISION
VISION
DOUBLE GLAZING UNIT DOUBLE GLAZING UNIT
EXP. JOINT
EXP. JOINT
STACK 13mm CSR GYPROCK® STACK 13mm CSR GYPROCK®
JOINT PLASTERBOARD JOINT PLASTERBOARD
50mm THICK
PERIMETER SEAL CSR BRADFORD
50mm THICK AGAINST COLUMNS
CSR BRADFORD INSULATION ALUMINIUM FOIL FACING
SPANSEAL™ PANELS WITH FIRE RATED
INSULATION 1.2mm GALVANISED SHEET SEALANT TO EDGES
SPANSEAL™ PANELS SMOKE FLASHING
CONTINUOUS WITH
SMOKE SEAL
SPANDREL
SPANDREL
CONCRETE SLAB CONCRETE SLAB
VISION
JOINT JOINT
3. ASIA 4. ASIA
Complies with 2 hour Fire Rating regulations Complies with 2 hour Fire Rating regulations
(firesafing). (firesafing).
Standard Smoke Control System (with sealant). Standard Smoke Control (without sealant).
FS 003 FS 004
VISION
VISION
EXP. JOINT
SPANDREL
VISION
Please consult your local CSR Bradford Insulation office if your system varies to those above.
Specialty Building
System Specifications.
Curtain Walls. 3. Where the insulation shall be installed behind tinted
glass, the exterior surface of the insulation shall be
SPANDREL PANELS. faced with black tissue (BMF) to reduce light
1. Insulation shall be installed to fully cover the non- reflection. (NOTE: This facing should always be
vision areas of the curtain wall exterior cladding carried out by CSR Bradford Insulation to ensure a
system. professional finish is achieved.)
The insulation shall be Spanseal™ Rockwool Boards 4. Where a vapour barrier is required to prevent
as manufactured by CSR Bradford Insulation, to condensation, the internal surface of the insulation
achieve an FRL 60/60/60 in accordance with shall be faced with Thermofoil™ (light/medium/heavy
AS1530.4; (also refer to Bradford Fireseal™ System duty) reinforced foil laminate.
FS001). In Asia, this requirement is generally FRL 5. The insulation shall be supported by flanges fixed to
120/120/120. the metal framing of the spandrel at …….mm centres.
Where spandrel fire protection is to be provided by a
fire rated masonry wall, the insulation shall be Bradford FIRE SAFING.
Spanseal™ Rockwool Boards. 1. Fire Safing insulation shall be installed continuously
2. The thickness of insulation shall be ……..mm. For at all exterior cladding beam/column edge separations
determination of thermal resistance refer to Table 1. around the complete perimeter of each floor and roof
line. The insulation shall be Fireseal™ Curtain Wall
TABLE 1. THERMAL RESISTANCE Batts as manufactured by CSR Bradford Insulation.
Description Thickness Thermal 2. The minimum effective depth of the fire safing
Resistance insulation shall be 135mm to achieve a two hour fire
Bradford Spanseal ™ rating. The batts shall be compressed to 85% of their
Rockwool Boards 50mm R1.5 original width in order to seal properly, and are to be
inserted into the cavity between the curtain wall and
Bradford Glasswool 75mm R2.3
concrete edge.
Bradford Supertel ™
100mm R3.0
3. The fire safing shall be installed in conjunction with
Where Aluminium Foil is used on one (or both) faces a smoke seal of continuous galvanised steel sheeting
and an airspace is present:
at least 1.2mm thickness, sealed with a fire rated
Vertical Reflective sealant between the back pan and the floor slab.
Airspace 20mm R0.58
NOTE: For further details refer to the Bradford
Vertical Reflective
Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Systems brochure.
Airspace >20mm R0.61
FIG 11. BRADFORD FIRESEAL INSTALLED AS FIRE
SAFING IN CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM.
Bradford Fireseal
Support Clips
Concrete
Floor/Soffit
Slab
Bradford
Spandrel
Panel
Internal masonry
party wall
FIG 15. BRADFORD FIRE BARRIER STOP BETWEEN FIG 16. BRADFORD FIRE BARRIER STOP FOR A
A MASONRY SOFFIT AND MASONRY WALL. TRUSSED ROOF SPACE.
Bradford Rockwool Loose
M.S. Angle (60 x 40 x 2mm wedged between roof tiles,
M.S. clamping bar fixed Tile battens and sarking battens and truss
min.) fixed to soffit at through angle at must be discontinuous
500mm max. centres 500mm max. centres across fire barrier
Soffit Slab
Bradford
Fibermesh 820
Rockwool
Roof Truss
Suspended
Ceiling
Fire rated
party wall Bradford Fibermesh
820 Rockwool
M.S. clamping bar (50 x 2mm)
each side fixed at 500mm max.
centres
Bradford
Firbermesh 820
Rockwool Blanket
MS Angle min. packed into soffit
60 x 40 x 2mm troughs and wired
MS Clamping
Bradford Bradford Strip 40 x 2mm
Firbermesh 820 Firbermesh 820
Rockwool Blanket Rockwool Blanket
MS Angle min.
60 x 40 x 2mm
Bradford
Firbermesh 820
Rockwool Blanket MS Angle min.
60 x 40 x 2mm
8mm dia.
Clamping Bolt
MS Clamping
Strip 40 x 2mm
Fire Stops for additional height simply place one Curtain Wall Batt
on top of another. Please refer to Table 2 for specific
Raised Access Floors. product details. Galvanised steel pins should be used
to secure Curtain Wall Batts together at 500mm
Raised floors are a convenient method of allowing
centres.
services to run beneath offices. There are many patented
systems on the market and those interested should contact 3. When determining the correct number of floor stops,
the appropriate manufacturers. the height beneath the floor should be measured and
1. The fireproofing insulation shall be Bradford Curtain an additional 15% should be added to this value.
Wall Batts as manufactured by CSR Bradford 4. Care should be taken to allow for floor tolerances.
Insulation. 5. The FRL in Table 2 is limited to the fire performance
2. Bradford Curtain Wall Batts are 1500mm long x of the surrounding floors.
168mm wide x 100mm high. In order to gain
Flooring
Ceiling
plasterboard
FIG 24. BRADFORD FIRE PROTECTION 1 x 50mm layer of Bradford Fibertex 820
FOR A STEEL OR COPPER PIPE THROUGH A Rockwool Board with neat tight joints,
pinned in place with speed clips
CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB.
Bradford Insulation
Marine Applications.
Principles of existing ships not previously carrying such equipment.
In particular the Directive applies to rockwool and
Marine Fire Protection. glasswool in fire protection applications. All products
Bradford Insulation has been supplying the marine and systems offered by Bradford Insulation comply with
industry in Australia and Asia for many years. Rockwool the FTP Code ‘International Code for Application of Fire
and glasswool have been specified for fire protection, as Test Procedures’ as published by IMO 1998 (International
well as thermal and acoustic performance. Maritime Organisation) Resolution MSC.61(67). This
Resolution convenes the international Convention on
The strong g rowth of the shipbuilding and
Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS).
maintenance industry in the Asia/Pacific region reinforced
the need for CSR Bradford Insulation to continue its
A-CLASS DIVISIONS.
focus in this developing segment.
This series of tests is suitable for use in passenger
CSR Bradford Insulation products are manufactured ships, cargo ships and fishing vessels. Fire insulation is used
to the highest standards of quality in facilities located in to protect an area from the influence of a fire in an
Australia and Asia. CSR Bradford Insulation products are adjoining area by having separating performance during
tested to conform to the regulations of the International fire. Such constructions are A-class bulkheads and decks.
Maritime Organisation (IMO) which convenes with the Bulkheads are tested vertically whereas deckheads are
International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea tested horizontally to simulate real fire conditions.
(SOLAS).
In areas where fire resistance is necessary for PERFORMANCE CRITERIA.
compartmentation, rockwool has been the preferred The average unexposed face temperature rise should
choice among ship builders, naval architects and not be more than 140°C, and the temperature rise
government authorities. recorded by any thermocouples should not be more than
Rockwool has been proven to be an economical, 180°C dur ing the per iods given below for each
high performance insulating material with a fusion classification:
temperature in excess of 1150°C.
Class ‘A-60’ 60 minutes
MARK OF CONFORMITY. Class ‘A-30’ 30 minutes
Since 1997 a ‘Directive on Marine Equipment’ has Class ‘A-15’ 15 minutes
been in force in the European Economic Area (EEA). Class ‘A-0’ 0 minutes
The mark of Conformity confirms that equipment
complies with the Maritime Equipment Directive as well ‘B’ Class divisions allow for a temperature rise of up
as other applicable Directives. to 225ºC above the original temperature.
The Council of the European Union issues Directives FIG 26. BRADFORD MARINE FIRE PROTECTION
for products being placed on the EEA market, defining SYSTEM DURING TESTING.
conditions for free trade and essential health and safety
requirements. This implies that the Class Societies (Det
Norske Veritas (DNV), Lloyds Register of Shipping
(LRS), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Bureau
Veritas (BV), China Classification Society (CCS/ZC), etc.
are no longer able to monopolise the approval process in
Europe as they have done previously.
Classification Authorities must accept each others
approvals and testing. This new standard is referred to as
the ‘CE Marking’.
The Marine Equipment Directive 96/98/EC as
amended by 98/85/EC is mandatory for all new ships and
250
400
750
900
A A
750
F I R E
750
4000
Location
900 of pins
750
6mm plate
900
29
750
150 x 100 x 10mm
Unequal Angle
at 600mm centers
10 600 600 600 600 10 Butt joint
D E S I G N
2480
3mm diameter 6mm plate
aluminium pins
with 28mm diameter
clips
30
100 x 75 x 9mm
Aluminium angle
600 600 600 600 stiffeners
D E S I G N
PLAN VIEW
250
750
A A
750
F I R E
Detail "B"
Section A - A
750
4000
Location
of pins 5mm plate
750
750
32
10 600 600 600 600 10 50mm Bradford Fibertex 820
100 x 8mm Semi Rigid Board
D E S I G N
100 x 70 x 8mm
flat plate Unequal Angle
2420 Butt joint
at 600mm centres
PLAN OF DECK
2480
3mm diameter 6mm plate
steel pins
with 28mm diamiter
clips
33
65 x 65x 6mm
steel angle
600 600 600 600 25mm Bradford stiffeners
D E S I G N
Fibertex 820
2420 Semi Rigid Board
PLAN VIEW
Fibertex 820
DESIGN: BRADFORD INSULATION Semi Rigid Board
28mm diameter
UNITS: mm Speed Clips
Frequently Asked
Questions and Answers.
Q. Which insulation type is most suitable for fire Q. What facings are suitable for use in fire rated systems?
protection in curtain walling? A. Many facing materials such as foil laminates are not
A. Bradford Rockwool Spanseal and Curtain Wall Batts
™
suited to some fire rated applications. The best facing
are recommended because of their ability to withstand products for fire protection applications are aluminium
elevated temperatures generated in a fire. It is one of foil and woven glass cloths.
the few products to have been successfully tested in a
full scale fire test to prevent vertical flame spread.
Q. Do ducts insulated with Bradford Insulation pass
This system can provide up to 2 hours fire protection.
UL181?
A. The UL181-16 burning test is designed to test the
Q. Why are spandrels insulated? entire duct system. The duct insulation system will pass
A. Spandrels in buildings are insulated for three reasons using Bradford insulation provided a fire rated tape
namely, fire protection, thermal resistance, and noise such as PPC494 is used. The use of non fire rated tapes
control. for fastening insulation or sleeve can cause the system
to fail the test.
Q. Do I require a masonry wall or fire rated stud wall
behind the curtain wall?
A. No, when the Bradford Fireseal system is specified it
is not necessary to construct an additional masonry
wall as suggested in the Building Code of Australia to
achieve an FRL of 60/60/60.
Terminology.
Fire Resistance Level This is a measure of the effectiveness of the system to prevent the ingress of fire. It is
normally classified in terms of structural adequacy, integrity and insulation in
minutes.
Flame Spread The rate at which a material will propagate flame on its surface.
Non-combustible A material which will not contribute heat or fuel to a fire.
Curtain Wall Outside skin or shell of a building that is supported off each individual slab level.
Spandrel Insulation Solid wall element below the window sill of a building which is fitted with
glasswool or rockwool insulation.
Vision Glass This is the portion of the curtain wall above the spandrel.
Firesafing Rockwool mineral fibre installed to the cavity between the edge of the slab and the
curtain wall frame. Its purpose is to impede fire and smoke.
Binder The cementing material that binds the fibres of mineral wool products together.
Decibel (dB) A logarithmic measure of sound levels of the ratio of two comparable sound
intensities.
Fire resistance Property of a construction to resist deterioration when exposed to a fire.
Manufacturing Facilities.
CSR Bradford Insulation is a leading insulation manufacturer in Australia and Asia
with manufacturing facilities located throughout the region.
AUSTRALIA. ASIA.
Glasswool factory, Ingleburn NSW. Glasswool factory, Zhuhai, China.
Rockwool factory, Dongguan, China.
Rockwool factory, Clayton VIC. Rockwool factory, Rayong, Thailand.
Thermofoil factory, Dandenong VIC. Rockwool factory, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Flexible Duct factory, Singapore.
Sales Offices.
AUSTRALIA. INTERNATIONAL.
State Phone Fax Country Phone Fax
Head Office 61 2 9765 7100 61 2 9765 7029 New Zealand 64 9579 9059 64 9571 1017
NSW (02) 9765 7100 (02) 9765 7052 Hong Kong 852 2754 0877 852 2758 2005
ACT (02) 6239 2611 (02) 6239 3305 China (Glasswool) 86 756 551 1448 86 756 551 1447
VIC (03) 9265 4000 (03) 9265 4011 China (Rockwool) 86 769 611 1401 86 769 611 2900
TAS (03) 6272 5677 (03) 6272 2387 Thailand 66 2736 0924 66 2736 0934
QLD (07) 3875 9600 (07) 3875 9699 Malaysia 60 3 3341 3444 60 3 3341 5779
SA (08) 8344 0640 (08) 8344 0644 Singapore 65 861 4722 65 862 3533
NT (08) 8984 4070 (08) 8947 0034
WA (08) 9365 1666 (08) 9365 1656
Warranty.
CSR Limited warrants its Bradford Insulation products to be free of defects in materials and manufacture.
If a CSR Bradford Insulation product does not meet our standard, we will, at our option, replace or repair it, supply
an equivalent product, or pay for doing one of these. This warranty excludes all other warranties and liability for
BI105.BMS7323.0901
damage in connection with defects in our products, other than those compulsorily imposed by legislation.
CSR Bradford Insulation is a business of CSR Limited A.B.N. 90 000 001 276.
CSR Limited is the owner of the following trade marks. Acousticlad™, Acousticon™, Acoustilag™, Anticon™, Bradfix™, Bradford™, Comfort Plus™, Ductel™,
Fibermesh™, Fibertex™, Fireseal™, Flexitel™, Flex-skin™, Gold Batts™, Multitel™, Quietel™, SoundScreen™, Spanseal™, Specitel™, Supertel™, Thermaclad™, Thermatel™,
Thermodeck™, Thermofoil™, Thermokraft™, Thermoplast™, Thermotuff™, Ultratel™.