Investing in passive fire resistance pays off!

The Grenfell Tower (London) fire in 2017 sparked considerable debate about the fire safety of residential and commercial buildings. To save lives and ensure rapid response, many new and existing buildings are equipped with active fire protection such as fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems and foam and gas extinguishing systems. 

In order to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, keep temperatures under control, limit material and operational damage and guarantee the stability of structural elements, additional requirements are also placed on passive fire protection. Bostik has decided to focus even more strongly on product development and certification for this market segment. The result is the international range Bostik Fire Protect, a complete, fully certified and approved range of passive fire protection products for use in moving joints, connecting joints, openings and surface penetrations between fire compartments.

UPGRADE

Bostik has had passive fire-resistant products in its portfolio for years. However, after the merger with Den Braven, it was time for an upgrade, says Nick Haring, Business Developer at Bostik and responsible for the fire-resistant product range. "Under the name 'Bostik Fire Protect,' this has taken further shape. Bostik Fire Protect is a great example of the 'new' Bostik. The concept combines the knowledge of Zwaluw's passive fire-resistant range with the very best qualities. The result is a new and very complete concept around passive fire resistant products."

The range includes two intumescent sealants, which prevent the spread of fire and smoke through joints and openings in fire-resistant walls and floors. But also a new cuff for the fireproof sealing of a wide range of building penetrations, such as plastic pipes, composite pipes, metal pipes and cable bundles. "Thanks to special slotted holes, the cuffs are very easy to install. In addition, they fit perfectly around angled pipes or when the opening around the pipe is too large," said Herring.

Our new self-levelling mortar for concrete floors or stone walls also scores high and is easy to apply. It also has high mechanical resistance and sound insulation. Or what about our new, flexible fire sleeve for (insulated) plastic and metal pipes, which guarantees very high expansion capability in the event of a fire?"

PROVEN SAFE AND EASY TO PROCESS

One characteristic of the products in the Bostik Fire Protect range is that they are very easy to process, so contractors hardly have to deal with any additional costs.

"More importantly, they substantially increase the fire safety of buildings," said Herring. "In addition, they contribute to the structural stability of a building, enabling the safe evacuation of people and intervention of emergency services."

When applied correctly, Bostik Fire Protect products meet all basic legal requirements for compartmentation. "In Peutz's independent test laboratory, the products were tested in accordance with EN1366-3 (penetrations) and EN1366-4 (linear joints) in the most common building materials (stone-stone, stone-wood, stone-metal, stone-plaster, gypsum-plaster, .....) and both horizontally and vertically."

PROJECT SUPPORT FROM PREPARATION TO COMPLETION

To guarantee that fire compartments actually meet all requirements, Bostik has invested heavily in sharing knowledge. For example, all Bostik Fire Protect product certificates and documents can be accessed directly online at
www.bostikfireprotect.nl. In addition, Bostik offers a comprehensive catalog and regular installation instructions and training.

"We like to supervise projects from start to finish," said Herring. "In the preparatory phase, I work with the contractor to identify which products are needed. In addition, I like to provide a toolbox on site so that I can demonstrate the proper application of the products. During execution, I visit the project regularly to check the applications and answer any questions. This assures both the contractor and end customer of optimal, fire-safe construction."