To ensure fire-resistant partitions perform effectively according to project requirements, special attention must be paid to the following factors during the design process:
- Partition Metal System: The partition metal system plays a crucial role in ensuring the stability and load-bearing capacity of fire-resistant walls under high temperatures. It's recommended to use specialized partitions metal profile from Knauf, designed to be compatible with FireShield gypsum boards for optimal effectiveness. Our metal system is made from high-quality galvanized steel, capable of resisting corrosion and deformation under heat. Frame installation must strictly adhere to technical procedures, ensuring precise spacing between vertical and horizontal studs, and proper connections between components.
- Gypsum Board System: FireShield gypsum board is designed with a gypsum core combined with fiberglass and fire-retardant additives. This helps to prevent the spread of fire and smoke while limiting temperature increases on the opposite side of the wall. It's essential to select the appropriate board thickness to meet the project's required fire resistance rating.
Standards for Evaluating Fire-Resistant Partitions
The concept of "Fire Resistance Rating" is used as a metric to assess a partition system's ability to withstand fire. This limit represents the duration (in minutes) for which the wall system maintains critical technical properties under high temperatures in standard testing conditions. Nhiệt độ lò đốt sẽ được gia tăng liên tục theo đường cong quan hệ nhiệt độ - thời gian từ nhiệt độ môi trường đến thời điểm ngừng thí nghiệm.
The technical properties evaluated during the testing process are represented by three criteria, collectively symbolized as REI:
- R (Resistance to Load): This criterion assesses the component's (wall system's) ability to maintain its mechanical load-bearing capacity under high temperatures. Specifically, the component must retain its structural stability without excessive deformation, cracking, or collapse under the simultaneous effects of design loads (if any) and high temperatures. For non-load-bearing partitions, this criterion might not apply.
- E (Integrity): This criterion evaluates the component's ability to prevent the penetration of flames and combustion products (smoke, toxic gases) from the burning area to the non-burning area. A component is considered to meet the integrity requirement if there are no cracks, holes, or deformations that allow flames and smoke to pass through. This criterion does not consider the component's heat transfer capability.
- I (Thermal Insulation): This criterion assesses the component's ability to limit heat transfer from the fire-exposed side to the non-fire-exposed side. This criterion ensures that the temperature on the side not directly exposed to flames does not exceed a certain limit (typically an average temperature increase of 140°C or a point temperature increase of 180°C), preventing the ignition of flammable materials on the other side and protecting people from burns due to radiant heat.
These three REI criteria define the scope of application for fire protection solutions. Depending on the specific requirements of each project and design standard regulations, the requirements for each R, E, and I criterion will differ. For example:
- In load-bearing components (like columns, beams, load-bearing walls), all three REI criteria are important.
- In fire compartmentation components (like non-load-bearing walls and partitions), criteria E and I are usually prioritized.
To achieve a fire resistance rating of up to 180 minutes for a wall system, the following factors must be strictly considered and adhered to:
- Materials: Use fire-resistant materials with high fire ratings, such as specialized FireShield fire-resistant gypsum board of appropriate thickness, combined with mineral wool or other insulating materials.
- Construction: The wall structure needs to be optimally designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through gaps, joints, and interfaces with other components.
- Installation: The installation process must be carried out by skilled technicians, strictly following technical procedures and close supervision to ensure the quality and fire resistance effectiveness of the wall system.
For a fire-resistant wall system to be considered compliant, both the E (Integrity) and I (Thermal Insulation) criteria must meet or exceed the specified fire resistance duration. For instance, a wall system certified as EI 180 (meaning it has a fire resistance rating of 180 minutes) must maintain both its integrity and thermal insulation for at least 180 minutes under standard testing conditions. This means the wall system must prevent flames and smoke from passing through, while also limiting the temperature increase on the opposite side throughout the 180-minute period. This 180-minute fire resistance capability is particularly crucial in buildings with high fire safety requirements, such as important document archives, workshops, manufacturing plants, or areas with high fire risk.
Knauf Fire-Resistant Gypsum Partition Walls: Solid Peace of Mind
Fire safety regulations set requirements for the duration a building component must be able to prevent the spread of flames from a fire-affected area to adjacent zones. This delay period is crucial, facilitating the timely evacuation of people and deployment of firefighting efforts, while also minimizing fire damage.
With a fire-resistant partition wall system constructed from the SupraWall frame system, FireShield gypsum board, and synchronized accessories, Knauf offers an optimal protective solution against fire hazards. Knauf gypsum board is certified as a non-combustible material according to QCVN 06:2022/BXD, ensuring safety and limiting fire damage.
Rigorously tested in simulated real-fire environments, Knauf's fire-resistant wall system demonstrates superior fire resistance from 30 to 150 minutes. This effectively prevents the spread of fire and smoke, maximizing escape time and minimizing property damage. This is the most convincing proof of the quality and reliability of Knauf's fire-resistant wall solution.
KNAUF FIRE-RESISTANT GYPSUM PARTITION WALL CONSTRUCTIONS WITH FIRE SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS
Here are some of Knauf's fire-resistant gypsum wall constructions that have undergone and passed fire safety inspections:
45-Minute Fire-Resistant Gypsum Partition Wall
System Description
- Suprawall C76 Stud
- One layer of FireShield 12.7mm gypsum board on each side
- Vertical stud spacing: 610mm
60-Minute Fire-Resistant Gypsum Partition Wall
System Description
- Suprawall C76 Stud
- One layer of FireShield 15.9mm gypsum board on each side
- Vertical stud spacing: 610mm
120-Minute Fire-Resistant Gypsum Partition Wall
System Description
- Suprawall C76 Stud
- Two layers of FireShield 12.7mm gypsum board on each side
- Vertical stud spacing: 610mm
150-Minute Fire-Resistant Gypsum Partition Wall
System Description
- Suprawall C76 Stud
- Two layers of FireShield 15.9mm gypsum board on each side
- Vertical stud spacing: 610mm
Designing and installing fire-resistant wall systems requires in-depth knowledge of technical standards related to fire resistance, integrity, and thermal insulation. Knauf offers professional technical support services, helping clients choose optimal solutions that ensure fire-resistant wall systems achieve their designed performance and comply with current regulations.
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Related Documents
Technical Drawing for Fire-Rated Drywall Meeting the EI60
Technical Drawing for Fire-Rated Drywall Meeting the EI120
Technical Drawing for Fire-Rated Drywall Meeting the EI150
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