Fireproof Solution – Kraspan-ST
The curtain walling systems are becoming increasingly demanded for new structures, as well as for renovation of existing buildings of various typologies - industrial, public, office and residential. And it is not surprising, since the envelope features good-looking and durable articles: fiber-cement boards, ceramic-granite and aluminum composite panels.
Along with protection and decoration, the equally important curtain walling function is providing resistance to heat transfer meeting the up-to-date construction regulations, which allow reducing heat losses through walls 2-3-fold. Thus, the maintenance costs should become respectively lower. The other advantages of ventilated facades are: better sound insulation and overall planarization of walls, which is rather hard to do using other technologies.
The market leader, in terms of materials for ventilated facades, are aluminum composite panels, which are easy to install and maintain, being much lighter than glass and ceramic-granite. The latter property is particularly important for tall structures, when the structural loads onto foundation are great as it is. The heavier decorative materials are used, the more stringent structural and foundation requirements must be observed, let alone the performance of construction equipment.
Thus, the construction works are getting substantially costly, and eventually the overall project becomes much expensive. However, the aluminum composite panel (ACP) can have the weak points of their own, for example, low fire resistance. Construction experts state that the ACPs with polyethylene filler are much flammable. The large-scale testing of exterior wall structures featuring combustible ACPs proved maximum values of thermal effects, flame propagation and surface destruction.
To make composite material safer the inner layer contains flame retardant nontoxic polymer with mineral component. But that’s not all folks. Aluminum itself, protecting the inner polymer layer from external effects, is not sufficiently fire-resistant. The statistic data prove that the fire hazard grows, as the GFA of structures becomes greater. So, the contemporary multifunctional residential, office and shopping centers are especially fire-prone.
As the number of large-scale facilities and high-rise buildings is constantly growing, the integrated security methodologies are becoming ever more demanded. The Federal Law № 123 as of May 1, 2009 “Fire Safety Technical Regulations” has come in force. Now the owner must submit a fire safety declaration taking responsibility for implementation of relevant measures.
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Information provided by Kraspan