Manual Firetherm 30.90

FIRETHERM 30/90 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE CALL FIRETHERM

TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT Tel: +44(0)1322 551010 Fax: +44(0)1322 552727

Email: [email protected]

Firetherm Limited Unit F, Acorn Industrial Park

Crayford Road Crayford

Kent DA1 4FT

Issue 5

FIRETHERM 30/90 APPLICATION Used to provide a 30,60 or 90 minute fire barrier in a large volume space such as a high bay storage area or open roof space, and to provide a cavity barrier above suspended ceilings and below raised floors. Especially useful in applications such as hospitals, food and pharmaceutical plants and computer installation where low fibre migration is vital. DESCRIPTION A system based on 470 gm/m2 or 260 gm/m2 glass cloth specially coated with a heat reflective finish. Unlike conventional reinforced mineral fibre solutions, there is very little fibre dust created during installation or during the life of the barrier. Long drops can be achieved without the need of extra support framework. As the system is lightweight it can be fitted to small section structural steel members without the risk of overloading. If in doubt, refer to the project engineer, specifier or building control officer. FIRE RATING Tested at Warrington Fire Research Centre for up to 90 minutes fire stability and integrity. Our 90 minute test was performed in a 3m x 3m furnace, the largest available in the country. Further tests have been conducted at Warrington F.R.C. with Firetherm 30/90 in the vertical plane with and without service penetrations and horizontally. In addition, we have tested the raised seam detail on the fire side and non fire side of the furnace, we have also tested to BS 476 Part 7: 1987 Class 1 Spread of Flame and also BS 7346; Part 3: 1990 Smoke Curtain test. Due to the minimal Insulation properties of the product, we have made suggestions and recommendations when used with combustible building membranes but have undertaken no supporting test programs, if in doubt please consult either the Project Engineer, Specifier or Building Control Officer. BENEFITS 1) Lightweight for easy storage, handling and installation 2) Easy to handle rolls of 65m2 or 13m2 that can easily be carried by one man 3) Negligible dust or fibre generation 4) Very fast and simple installation, up to twice as fast as some competitors systems. Straightforward seam detail using folds and staples. 5) Fully fire tested at Warrington Fire Research Centre in a 3m x 3m furnace (the largest available in the U.K.) for up to 90 minutes stability and integrity. All tests were non- destructive being terminated at our request. 6) Factory coated on both sides to prevent irritation to the skin during handling. 7) Tested in the vertical plane with and without service penetrations and horizontally.

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FIRETHERM 30/90 LEGISLATION Building Regulations 1991/1992 Statutory Instrument No. 2768, Part B Para 3 & 4 states:- " (3) To inhibit the spread of fire within the building; it shall be sub-divided with fire resisting construction to an extent appropriate to the size and extended use of the building. (4) The building shall be designed and constructed so that the unseen spread of fire and smoke within concealed spaces in its structure and fabric is inhibited." APPROVED DOCUMENT B 1992 (Second Impression) States on page 6 paragraph 3: "The detailed provision contained in the Approved Documents are intended to provide guidance for some of the more common building situations. In other circumstances, alternative ways of demonstrating compliance with the requirements may be appropriate". It goes on:- EVIDENCE SUPPORTING COMPLIANCE "There is no obligation to adopt any particular solution contained in an Approved Document if you prefer to meet the relevant requirement in some other way." —- "It will then be for you to demonstrate by other means that you have satisfied the requirement." All responsible manufacturers of glass cloth fire barriers clearly state that they cannot (unless resorting to special specifications) provide 15 minutes insulation as suggested in Approved Document B 1991 page 97 table Al note 16 for cavity barriers. After discussing this point with consultants in the field, Building Control Officers and District Surveyors it has on most occasions been possible to use Firetherm 30 or 90 in place of other materials by using the argument that:- 1) Approved Document 'B' is intended to provide guidance. It is not Building Regulations the Statutory Instrument. 2) The reason for recommending 15 minutes insulation is to prevent (for 15 minutes) any inflammable materials, such as cardboard boxes and the like from being set on fire by the passage of heat through the fire barrier. 3) If there is a likelihood of the storage of combustible materials adjacent to the barrier, then Firetherm 30 or 90 is unsuitable. 4) However, it is more likely that the area will not be the repository of such inflammable materials; a roof space for example in a supermarket or a cavity barrier in a suspended ceiling. 5) In addition, if the areas to be divided are fitted with a smoke detector, as can be done in a roof space for example, this could often be sufficient for a Building Control Officer to agree the use of a non-insulating barrier. 6) Further strength can be given to ones' argument, if the surfaces exposed in the cavity

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FIRETHERM 30/90 or space are Class 0 (steel, masonry, plasterboard for example) and any pipe lagging was Class 0 (most are) and any electrical wiring in the void is laid in metal trays or in metal conduit and any other materials in the cavity are of limited combustibility. The above is condensed and abridged from page 61 of Approved Document 'B' section 9 paragraph 13 sub-paragraph (b), (d), (e), (f) and (g). 7) As a point of interest, it is not necessary for a fire door to have insulation, nor need a roller shutter door nor a glazed fire screen. 8) Ultimate responsibility for the decision as to whether to use Firetherm 30 or 90 rests with the local Building Control Officer or District Surveyor, although an appeal to the Secretary of State may be possible. It is our experience however, that a reasonable and calm discussion can usually be successful. Firetherm's Technical Department can be called on to provide assistance. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 1) Refer to Firetherm 30/90 Health and Safety notes before starting work. 2) General Firetherm 30/90 should be fixed at the head of the barrier and two

sides with 50 x 50 x 1.25mm slotted angle obtainable from Firetherm Ltd., Crayford, Kent, England 01322 551010, or similar. Long drops are achievable without the need for additional steel framework.

FIXING TO STRUCTURAL STEEL Trap the Firetherm 30/90 between the 50 x 50 x 1.25mm slotted angle and the structural member. Fix with bolts or self drill/self tap screws of appropriate specification of the steel to be drilled, at 450mm centres. To secure the curtain further, fix a slotted strip 40 x 2mm to the exposed face of the angle, trapping the Firetherm 30/90 and bolt through. See drawing 1. If in doubt contact Firetherm's Technical Hotline on 01322 551010. NOTE: Before fixing to lightweight structural steel, approval should be sought from the Specifier or recognised authority to confirm that the weight of the barrier can be safely borne. (Firetherm 30 weighs 235 gms/m2, Firetherm 90 weighs 470 gms/m2). If it is necessary to fix the barrier at its base use steel angle as above. See drawing 2. When fixing the base of the barrier to a suspended ceiling, allow a minimum of 150mm surplus to the measured drop from soffit level and fix the lower edge to the nearest parallel cross frame member of the ceiling grid using hog rings at 250mm centres or similar obtainable from Firetherm Ltd. See drawing 3 FIXING TO MASONRY Trap Firetherm 30/90 behind the slotted angle and fix through with all steel anchors, Hilti H.U.S masonry screws or shot fired fixings at 450mm centres. To secure the curtain further, fix a slotted strip 40 x 2mm to the exposed face of the angle, trapping the Firetherm 30/90 and bolt through at 450mm maximum centres (note Firetherm angle and strap is supplied pre-slotted at 300mm centres) . See drawing 4.

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FIRETHERM 30/90 Shows general arrangement. Use 50x50x1.2mm angle. Curtain should always be trapped and fixed behind the angle and fixed again using 40mm flat strip.

Drawing 2

Drawing 1

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FIRETHERM 30/90

Drawing 3

Drawing 4

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FIRETHERM 30/90 FIXING TO TIMBER We suggest the Firetherm 30/90 is trapped between the slotted angle and the structural timber members. Screw through the angle into the timber using a minimum screw size of no. 8, 38mm length, at 450mm centres. See drawing 5.

Drawing 5

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FIRETHERM 30/90 Small section timbers, having one dimension of 50mm or less will need protecting to maintain structural integrity consult Firetherm Technical Department for advise. Large section timbers (such as those found in an old building) will not usually need protection but can be sleeved with Firetherm 30/90 as shown in drawing 6. To secure the curtain further, fix a slotted strip 40 x 2mm to the exposed face of the angle, trapping the Firetherm 30/90 and bolt through. See drawing 6.

Drawing 6

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FIRETHERM 30/90 When fixing across the line of rafters fix the 50 x 50 x 1.2 slotted angle to the rafters and allow a minimum of 150mm overtop to bridge the gap between the steel angle and the underside of the roof slope. See drawing 7. It may in some circumstances be necessary to pack some mineral fibre between the steel angle and the roof, depending on site condition.

Drawing 7

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FIRETHERM 30/90 JOINING LENGTHS OF FIRETHERM 30/90 Joining one drop to Firetherm 30/90 to the next is very simple. Overlap each drop by 50mm and create a raised seam by drawing together the two edges of fabric and staple using 8mm mild steel staples at 500mm centres. Fold over and re-staple at 100mm centres. See drawing 8. Staples and staple gun obtainable from Firetherm Ltd., Crayford, Kent, England 01322 551010.

Drawing 8

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FIRETHERM 30/90 FITTING AROUND SERVICES Fitting around services can be effected by slitting the fabric so that it falls around the service and down as far as is required. Make neat cuts around the service in a star shaped pattern making the cuts as short as possible so that the fabric fits around the service snugly. Cut a suitably size rectangle of Firetherm 30/90 to create a collar around the service, approximately 300mm long. Make 5 cuts in the rectangle of fabric approximately 100mm long. Place the collar around the service and staple the seam together at 100mm centre fold and re-staple at 50mm centres. Slide the collar down the service until the 5 flaps created by the 10 cuts meet the face of the barrier. See drawing 9. Stitch the flaps to the barrier using stainless steel thread and curved needle, obtainable from Firetherm Ltd., Crayford, Kent, England 01322 551010. THIS DETAIL IS REQUIRED ON ONE SIDE ONLY

Drawing 9

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FIRETHERM 30/90 FITTING AROUND SERVICES METHOD 2, NO STITCHING REQUIRED Slit the fabric so that it falls around the service and down as far as is required. Make neat cuts around the service in a star shaped pattern making the cuts as short as possible so that the fabric fits around the service snugly. See drawing 10. 30 MINUTE SEAL Cut a strip of 25mm thick mineral fibre 100mm wide and wrap around the service securing with 19 gauge lacing wire: This system will achieve a 17 minute insulation rating on the penetrating services. Secure with a strip of 300mm Firetherm 30/90 wrapped around the mineral fibre and staple together. If the service detail is complex, a better seal may be effected by increasing the thickness of mineral fibre, by wrapping around twice and securing with a 30mmm strip of Firetherm 30/90. THIS DETAIL IS REQUIRED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BARRIER.

Drawing 10

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FIRETHERM 30/90 60 MINUTE SEAL Substitute 25mm thick ceramic fibre (Kaowood, Morganite or similar) for mineral fibre, cut 100mm wide, wrapped around twice. Wrap with 300mm wide strip of Firetherm 30/90 as above. Mineral fibre and ceramic fibre available from Firetherm Ltd., Crayford, Kent, England 01322 551010. THIS DETAIL IS REQUIRED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BARRIER. UPGRADING FLOORS AND CEILINGS If the ceiling shown in drawing 11 is of lath and plaster construction, in a fire the plaster and timber laths thermally expand at differing rates causing explosive spalling and a rapid failure of the ceiling. However, Firetherm 30/90 can be fixed to the ceiling below. Seek advice from an approved Fire Engineer or contact Firetherm Technical Hotline 01322 551010. 1) Locate position of joists with an electronic meter or by 'trial and error'. 2) Apply the Firetherm 30/90 in a similar way to wallpaper, ensuring that a 50mm overlap is created at the joint, and that the joints coincide with the position of the joists. 3) To mate the installation easier, the fabric can be stapled to the ceiling as you go. Do not remove the staples as this could weaken the fabric. 4) Fix 50 x 50 x 1.5mm steel angle over the joints and screw through into the line of the

joist using a minimum of no. 8 x 38mm steel screws at 300mm centres. See drawing 11.

Drawing 11

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Manual Firetherm 30.90

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