Online news on a smartphone Mockup website. Woman reading news

Newsroom

Sustainable Fire Safety Solutions for Modern Buildings

Recently, the issue of fire safety in high-rise apartment buildings, office buildings, and commercial structures has garnered significant public attention, especially amidst the increasing number of fire and explosion incidents. As numerous high-rise buildings continue to be constructed, awareness of fire safety needs to be popularized and enhanced for various stakeholders, from theoretical understanding to practical application. On September 11, 2023, Knauf Vietnam Co., Ltd. and Hilti Vietnam Co., Ltd. jointly organized the seminar "Making Construction Better" with the participation of leading industry speakers to provide updates on fire prevention and fighting regulations, material inspection processes, and share practical experiences in the design and construction of current projects.

The Current State of Fire and Explosion Incidents Nationwide in 2023

According to data from the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Department (PCCC and CNCH), in the first six months of 2023, there were 881 fires nationwide, resulting in 45 deaths and 43 injuries. Preliminary estimated property damage amounted to approximately VND 87.15 billion and 149.08 hectares of forest. Fire incidents and the resulting damage remained concentrated in residential areas, private houses, mixed-use residential and commercial buildings, and at production facilities and warehouses. Data reviewed by the Ministry of Public Security shows that, to date, there are still 8,114 projects in 51 localities nationwide that have not been accepted for fire prevention and fighting (PCCC) standards but have been put into use, and have not fully addressed fire safety requirements according to QCVN 06:2022/BXD of the Ministry of Construction.

In order to meet the QCVN 06:2022/BXD standards, the demand for fire-resistant materials and fire prevention solutions is increasing. Strict and full compliance with these standards not only helps projects to be put into operation sooner but, more importantly, protects the safety, property, and lives of those directly using the buildings.

Key Areas Requiring Special Attention When Applying Fire Protection Solutions

Escape Route Corridors: These are the shortest and safest paths for people and property to evacuate from a fire or explosion zone.

Ventilation Ducts: Ventilation ducts can be used to supply fresh air to evacuation areas, helping people and property escape safely. Additionally, ventilation ducts can also be used to extract smoke and toxic gases from the fire or explosion zone.
Locations of Machinery/Electronic Equipment: Machinery and electronic equipment are often used at high intensity, generating significant heat and sparks. High temperatures and sparks can be causes of fire.
Openings where components pass through wall or floor penetrations; connections between wall-to-wall, wall-to-floor, top of wall, etc.

Furthermore, the demand for fire-resistant materials that meet regulations while also being environmentally friendly is receiving increasing attention.

Gypsum - A Non-Combustible Material (CV0)

The types of materials and gypsum boards used in construction today are primarily composed of inorganic materials, classified as non-combustible materials (CV0).

Currently, fire-resistant gypsum boards have been and are being widely applied because gypsum material does not produce toxic smoke when burning, has good thermal insulation properties, and can prevent smoke from spreading to other spaces.

Some notable applications of fire-resistant gypsum board solutions include: fire-resistant partitions, fire-resistant ceilings, or ductwork encasement for office buildings, commercial centers, resorts, hotels, high-rise apartments, and fire-resistant column and beam encasement solutions for factories.

Fire-resistant gypsum solutions are widely used due to the lightweight nature of the boards, which facilitates quick installation; simultaneously ensuring fire resistance and maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the project.

Solutions for Sealing Openings and Joint Details

Imagine a building in operation as a living organism with technical pipes, electrical wiring, etc., spreading from one location throughout various areas, much like blood vessels reaching different parts of the body. When these pass through separating structural elements such as walls and floors, they often leave behind openings of various sizes. Similarly, openings are common at joint details between structural components or between rooms. These openings, even if very small, can pose a very high safety risk in the event of a fire.

Therefore, to prevent small sparks from developing into large fires, in addition to fire-resistant components such as walls, floors, and ceilings meeting fire protection requirements, the joint details and openings in these fire-resistant components must be sealed with the correct type of material and in the correct manner. This is crucial to avoid reducing the required fire safety technical specifications of the structure.

Important Considerations When Applying Fire Protection Solutions

Quoting Mr. Hoang Anh Giang – Deputy Director of the Structural Engineering Department of Construction Projects – Institute for Building Science and Technology (IBST) at the Seminar: “When considering products with fire safety technical requirements, it's essential to have a basis regarding their origin, type, scope, and application method. Importantly, do users and relevant partners involved with fire protection solutions recognize whether the products and materials used meet the standards and comply with legal requirements upon application?”

Agreeing with Mr. Giang's viewpoint, Mr. Hoang Duy Kien – Director of ARUP Vietnam – also stated: “Reflecting the development of the urban areas where we live, construction projects tend to become increasingly diverse and complex. In such cases, applying standard, typical, or precedent-based solutions may not yield the optimal or even feasible solution. Performance-based design will be a viable basis for addressing these situations, within the broader development of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Design and Fire Safety field.”

Concluding the seminar, the theme of "Fire Safety" is not just the responsibility of a single department, manufacturer, or specific company, but rather the contribution and collaboration of all relevant stakeholders in the industry; it is a shared responsibility aimed at ensuring the safety of modern buildings today, contributing to a better quality of life. Knauf and Hilti are proud to be among the industry players who are always ready to join hands in providing quality and sustainable fire protection solutions for the community. Simultaneously, through the seminar, Hilti and Knauf jointly introduced the "Handbook of Fire Stop Solutions for Buildings," which broadly addresses current fire spread prevention standards, emphasizes the importance of choosing the right solutions, and provides guidance on installation and practical on-site inspection.

Our Entities
Knauf Gypsum

Cookies Settings Legal Notice Privacy Notice Cookie Policy