Aluminum systems specialist invests heavily in fire resistance testing

Buildings are becoming increasingly complex and must meet increasingly stringent requirements, not least in terms of fire resistance. The aim is to reduce the risk of fire, delay or prevent the spread of a fire and enable people to escape from the building. Aliplast's aluminum systems for windows, doors and curtain walls have been successfully tested for fire resistance.

Aliplast is a major international player in the development and production of aluminum systems for windows, doors, verandas, sliding systems and curtain walls. The company is confronted daily with fire resistance requirements and guidelines.

"Fire safety is an important issue, which must be taken into account when designing a building. It is therefore right to have strict requirements," said Marc Mulders, sales manager for the Netherlands.

"Many architects, contractors and clients look for solutions in wood or steel, but with our aluminum profiles we can achieve the same values. Our systems are subjected to the most stringent tests. They are available in fire resistance classes EW30, EW60, EI30, EI60, some even in classes EI90 and EI120."

Thermally insulated refractory interior doors: FR90

For example, Aliplast has had its FR90 tested as a fire-resistant interior door. This easy-to-install system can be used for single or double doors, turning inward or outward, and is available in fire resistance classes EW30, EW60, EI30 and EI60. The manufacturer also conducted successful tests at the IFT in Rosenheim on an element 6020 mm wide and 3220 mm high, immediately the largest size that Aliplast said could be tested there. This FR 90 also has an acoustic attenuation Rw of up to 47 dB, which means that interior doors of this type are not only fire-resistant, but also avoid noise pollution.

Sleek systems with high performance: Star75 and Max Light

Aliplast also had its high-performance Star75 series and the Max Light tested for fire resistance. "With its sleek design and high-performance insulation, the Star75 is ideal for low-energy homes. After all, this system has a U-value of 0.94 W/m²K, an air tightness class 4 and a sound attenuation Rw of up to 47.1 dB. We tested both tilt and fixed windows, single and double doors. All versions are available in fire resistance classes EW30, EW60 and EI30, which means that the facade builder can now use windows and doors of the same type for the entire building," explains the sales manager. "These Star75, as well as the windows and doors of the Max Light series, were tested in set frames. What is unique is that we also tested the set frames themselves. The Max Light is now also available in fire resistance classes EW30, EW60 and EI30."

Fire-resistant curtain wall: MC-Wall

In addition to the window and door systems, the aluminum curtain walls are also subjected to the necessary fire resistance tests at Aliplast. Thus, the MC-Wall exists in EI30, EI60, EI90 and EI120.

"This latest version offers possibilities for offices and industrial buildings, but especially for laboratories, where the risk of fierce fire is higher and people need to have the necessary time to escape," Mulders concludes. "We are also planning further tests in the second half of 2020 and into the next year, including for other variants of the Star75."