Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1 Types of product
Fire rated partitions are internal walls that fibre-reinforced cement, vermiculite board,
provide vertical fire separation, for example or other proprietary materials.
in dividing walls, proprietary partitioning
systems, protected shafts, stairs, lift wells, Materials offering the standard 30-minutes
escape routes and separating roof voids of fire resistance may be fixed onto timber
between properties. In the main, these will studing or patented metal strip studding
be non-loadbearing, although some that is either channel- or angle-section fixed
proprietary systems may have loadbearing with self-tapping screws. Insulation ratings
characteristics. will be provided either by the use of
insulation boards or by mineral fibre or
Products used for the construction of other insulation materials, fitted between
partitions may be either standard gypsum the outer skins of the partition.
wallboards or special fire-rated boards,
depending on the fire rating required. The Some materials will offer a self-finished
majority of partitions are likely to be rated surface, whilst others are decorated in a
for 30 minutes’ integrity and insulation but standard way. But as these partitions may
systems with fire ratings up to 4 hours are form part of an escape route, surface
available from specialist manufacturers. spread of flame ratings for decorative
Specialist boards may be calcium silicate, materials may have to be considered.
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2 Types of system
When standard structures using rating. Where proprietary systems are used, components that have been tested in an
plasterboard or proprietary materials should the doors, windows and penetrations should appropriate construction. Many system
be tested as a system, providing test be tested as part of the system. Mixing manufacturers also provide the materials
evidence of fire performance to BS 476: Part components from different systems is required for such penetration seals. These
22: 1987: Fire tests on building materials dangerous, since the resulting system will should be used wherever possible to ensure
and structures. Methods for determination not necessarily perform as expected if not that the penetration does not endanger the
of the fire resistance of non-loadbearing installed as tested. fire rating of the structure.
elements of construction or, under the
Manufacturers of all types of boarding Where partitions are installed co-incident
European system, BS EN 1364-1: 1999: Fire
provide comprehensive trade literature on with steel beams, it is important to note that
resistance tests for non-loadbearing
their systems and details of the test if an insulation rating is required, the fire
elements. Walls. Such tests are done in wall
evidence obtained. And, although many protection materials used for structural
furnaces of 3m2 in area; partitioning
materials may be purchased over the protection of the steel may not offer such a
systems are available for multiples of this
counter at specialist suppliers, they are best rating when tested to BS 476: Part 22.
measurement and will have test evidence or
installed by fitters trained by the Manufacturers advice should be sought for
assessments supporting their extended use
manufacturers and supported by third party the detail area around the steel members.
over long runs or at greater heights.
accreditation systems. The use of linear gap seals at the junctions
The system will also be required to include of partitions and roof or floor structures
windows and doors rated to the same level Similar care should be taken when services should also be part of the system test
as the wall itself and any penetrations of the are passed through the partitions as these evidence.
wall will require sealing to the same fire will require sealing with materials or
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