- September 18, 2024
Imen Datis Asia Co
Imen Datis Asia Co
What is a fireproof sandwich panel and what is its use? One of the main principles that should be considered in construction is to secure the structure against the risk of fire. For this reason, construction contractors and engineers have moved towards using materials that are more fire resistant compared to traditional building materials. The resistance of a structure against fire is important for all buildings, but more care should be taken in choosing fireproof materials for some buildings such as industrial sheds, hospitals, warehouses, factories, etc. One of the basic principles related to construction that architects and builders pay special attention to is establishing the security of the structure in the face of a fire incident. This led to the production of the first fireproof sandwich panels in the United States in 1970, which were used to cover the walls of a building with various uses.
Later, in the 80s, the use of fireproof sandwich panels spread in Europe and other parts of the world, and these fire-resistant prefabricated materials became the most popular building materials among construction workers. By using these materials to cover the roof and walls of various structures, financial and life losses caused by fire were minimized. In this article, we are going to investigate the fireproof sandwich panel and the reasons for its importance in structures.
Fireproof panels, also known as stone wool panels, have a three-layer structure, similar to other sandwich panels. In the middle layer of these panels, rock wool insulation material is used, which is well known for its high resistance to high temperatures and less damage in the face of fire.
These panels are mainly used in various industries. For example, they are used to cover baking ovens and greenhouses with temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius. Stone wool has a melting point of 1300 degrees Celsius and has a low heat transfer coefficient. This material can withstand temperatures up to 2000 degrees Celsius. It is interesting that the insulating power of stone wool is about 33 times higher than concrete wall and 22 times higher than brick wall.
As mentioned earlier, sandwich panels are divided into two main groups, non-flammable and slow-burning, based on their resistance to flames. In the following, we will introduce these two types of panels.
One of the best and most important insulators used in the middle layer of these prefabricated materials is rock wool foam. This foam has a very high resistance to fire and can withstand temperatures up to 2000 degrees Celsius. The insulating power of this material is estimated to be 33 times that of concrete wall and 22 times that of brick wall. In addition to its fire resistance feature, this foam has other advantages, including resistance to the penetration of additional sounds, which makes it suitable for structures that require sound insulation.
One of the best foams used in the structure of sandwich panels is polyurethane foam. This foam is produced in two types, PIR and PUR, which polyisocyanurate, or PIR for short, is a more advanced version of this insulation. PIR foam can withstand temperatures up to 250 degrees Celsius, but unlike rock wool, it does not have the ability to withstand very high temperatures, and if the temperature rises above the mentioned level, there is a possibility of burning it.
Polyisocyanurate flame retardant foam, unlike rock wool, has a high resistance to water and moisture penetration, and for this reason, it is used in various projects. The use of polyurethane sandwich panels in structures is common for the following reasons:
– This foam has a reasonable cost and is an economic option for structures that have a limited budget.
– PIR foam automatically extinguishes after the direct flame is extinguished.
– This insulation prevents fire from penetrating to other places and does not ignite.
– Unlike other foams in the structure of panels, PIR foam shows higher durability against fire.
Stone wool and polyisocyanurate panels have different characteristics, and at the beginning of each project, the appropriate choice should be made by comparing these differences. Therefore, before ordering, it is necessary to fully review the specifications of each of these panels. Some of these differences are:
– With similar thicknesses, the final cost of the polyurethane panel is approximately ten percent less than the stone wool panel.
– Polyisocyanurate thermal insulation performs better compared to rock wool.
– In the field of moisture insulation, polyisocyanurate provides significantly more resistance than rock wool.
– The weight of polyisocyanurate panels is almost three times less than the weight of stone wool panels.
– The environmental compatibility of polyisocyanurate panels is much higher than rock wool.
– Stone wool may lose efficiency over time.
Using fireproof sandwich panels in a structure not only helps to insulate it against flames, but also brings other benefits. Some of these benefits are mentioned below:
Despite all the advantages of fireproofing materials, there are also some disadvantages that should be fully investigated before choosing the right foam. Among the main disadvantages of these panels, the following can be mentioned:
The correct implementation and installation of sandwich panels is very important and requires high expertise and experience. Depending on whether the panels are designed for the wall or the ceiling, the method of their installation is different, because the implementation standards are different for each. In installing fireproof panels, it is necessary to pay attention to the following points:
Sandwich panel covers are usually produced from metals such as steel or aluminum or from other rigid materials. These coatings play an important role in providing structural support and protecting the main panel material. In order to increase their durability and weather resistance, veneers can be covered with a layer of paint or other protective coating.
Phenolic foam sandwich panels are another type of sandwich panels that are mainly used for insulation. These panels are made of a special plastic foam and are usually rated as fire class B. However, these panels may not be as effective at preventing the spread of fire as fireproof panels.
Polystyrene foam sandwich panels are one of the types of sandwich panels that are commonly used for insulation in buildings. These panels are made of a special plastic foam that is not resistant to fire. They are generally classified as fire class E, which means they are unable to prevent the spread of flames and smoke. For this reason, these panels may not be suitable for buildings where fire safety is a serious concern.
In general, fireproof sandwich panels are known as one of the most effective types of sandwich panels in terms of fire resistance. However, the final choice of sandwich panel should be based on the specific needs of the project, including the level of safety required against fire and other features of the panel such as thermal insulation and sound insulation.
Imen Datis Asia Company is recognized as one of the top companies in the private sector in the field of safety and fire fighting, relying on modern knowledge, continuous activity and the cooperation of highly specialized forces. This group is always trying to continuously and dynamically expand the safety and firefighting infrastructure of our beloved country Iran and take great steps in order to achieve goals such as the development and industrialization of new technologies.
