The application of a fire protection product to structural steel aims to slow the heating of the steel while allowing it to maintain its load-bearing capacity for the length of time, or Fire Resistance Level (FRL), indicated in the building’s fire engineering report.

To make sure the right fire resistance solution is selected for the right purpose, the following points need to be considered: 

  • The steel members size, profile and dimensions
  • The placement of the steel and number of exposed sides 
  • The required Fire Resistance Level (FRL) in the fire engineers plans
  • The critical temperatures used by the structural engineer in the design

The three most common fire protection solutions are Vermiculite Fire Sprays, Intumescent Coatings (or Thin Coat Intumescent Paints), and Fire Retardant Board. 

In this post, we want to deep dive into everything you need to know about Fire Retardant Board for your project. 

Fire Retardant Board

Fire Retardant Board is a mineral matrix engineered board designed to contain a fire within a compartment of a building by acting as a barrier to stop the spread of heat, smoke, fire and gases. It can be used for steel protection, walls, ceilings, ducts, concrete protection and sealing penetrations and voids.

Board encasement systems provide uniform thickness and straight lines. The smooth surface makes board systems ideal when aesthetic matters. Wall linings can either be fixed to the structure through the board or the board itself can achieve a finished look. With an FRL protection of up to 240 minutes, the board is ideal for visible internal beams and walls. 

Typically Fire Retardant board is for internal application only, but the ProFinish team are experts at adapting the application of fireboard for external application by providing weatherproof treatment in the form of render, cement sheet and/or exterior paint coatings.

Application and Site Requirements

The PROFINISH Fire Protection team is usually engaged to install Fire Retardant Board after the slab has been poured. We arrange for all materials to be delivered to the site and bring the necessary equipment for dustless cutting and fast fixing to make the project move quickly while ensuring the area remains as safe as possible. The team require exclusion zones to be set up around the cutting station and access to 10 and 15 AMP power. 

Benefits

  • Single-layer of fireboard, and doesn’t require framing, saving time in labour vs. a plaster system while achieving the same FRL with fewer layers (thickness).
  • Ideal for exposed, architectural finishes.
  • Ideal when requiring walls, partitions to be fixed to the structure.
  • It can be stopped up/plastered to achieve a paintable finish.
  • Labour efficient compared to a plaster system.

Limitations

  • Generally not suitable for external use unless further treated with cement sheet, render or cladding.
  • Can be a more expensive option when compared to vermiculite.
  • Board is extremely rigid and can be tricky to install in tight spaces. 

 

Common mistakes we see

  • Not allowing for the correct thickness of the board, based on the FRL required, which leads to misaligning walls.
  • Using fire rating products from different suppliers often means there is no interface report supplied, so in these instances the fire rating solution will need to be reassessed by the surveyor and fire engineer.

Cost 

Fire Retardant Board is an attractive option due to its versatility but it is not always the cheapest passive fire protection product. Depending on the size of the project and the FRL required, a rough cost of internal application of fire retardant board per square metre is $150-$200, though very large projects with larger steel members and clear access early in the project programme, can see costs decrease.

Don’t hesitate to speak to our team if you require specific pricing for your project budget.

PROFINISH Fire Protection Capability

PROFINISH Fire Protection has a team of independent and unbiased installers with access to products from all the industries key suppliers. We select the product which will achieve the best outcome for the project. Our team is made up of trade qualified plasterers and carpenters who are certified experts in installing combination systems for walls, ceilings and steel encasement using various types of sheeting. 

With intimate knowledge of passive fire protection products, we can assist you with any queries you have and provide you with the information you need to make decisions on your project and back it all up with exceptional service. Get in touch by phone (03) 5274 1226, email estimating@profinishcoatings.com.au or via our contact form.

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