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Fireproof the future

Build safer with rock solid fire resilience

Building a safer future together. One facade at a time

At Rockpanel, we feel everyone deserves to be in a safe environment. No matter where you live, work, play or learn: safety comes first. When it comes to protecting people’s lives, you can never be too sure. Making the right choices is therefore essential.

Fire regulations differ from country to country as do building habits. Some countries have prescriptive measures in their codes, others have performance criteria. In addition, fire regulations are often based on the most recent disaster happening in a country. It is common practice to adapt the regulations after a fatal fire.

To really know what different fire classifications mean, it is important to know more about the various types of facade materials and their reaction to fire, and to gain insight in to how building materials are tested.

Our new Fire Safety brochure will provide you with the latest information on fire safety and fire regulations in your country.

Get your free brochure now!

 

Today, fires develop 5 to 10 times faster than they did in the 1950s. The performance of a building during fire therefore has a major influence on the safety of building occupants and first-responders. Combustible materials can contribute to the spread of a fire and can produce toxic smoke, causing enormous risks for people inside a building.

Everything you should know about fire safety in facades

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Fire Regulation

When does fire regulation begin? Does it start from a certain height?

Complying to fire regulations can be quite a challenge. The fire and building regulations aredifferent for every single country. In a growing number of countries, fire safety has become a top priority and the regulations have changed accordingly.

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Fire risks

What are the fire risks of facade cladding?

Facade cladding and fire safety: much has been written and said about this combination. When combustible materials are used for cladding or when materials are applied in the wrong way, there are increased risks regarding fire safety.

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High Rise Buildings

What is a high-rise or high-risk building?

When it comes to fire safety, two types of buildings need some extra attention: high-rise and high-risk. What do these terms exactly mean? And what should you bear in mind to ensure optimum safety?

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Euroclass system

The Euroclass system: one standard on fire safety

The Euroclass system is the leading standard in Europe for fire safety classification of buildingmaterials. It’s mandatory to use this standardised system with consistent quality levels. However, there are still often referrals to old standards.

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Non-combustible Cladding

Why non-combustible facade cladding for high-rise and high-risk buildings

For both high-rise and high-risk buildings, the impact of a fire can be catastrophic. In tall buildings and other places where many people live, sleep and work, it is important to pay maximum attention to (fire) safety. Risks need to be minimised in order for (vulnerable) inhabitants to stay safe.

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Facade Cladding

How is facade cladding made and how does this relate to fire safety?

The caloric value of building materials has a major effect on their performance during fire. Compare the PCS values of the most commonly used solutions for facade cladding and find out what this means for the fire safety of your building.

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PCS Value

How is facade cladding made and how does this relate to fire safety?

The caloric value of building materials has a major effect on their performance during fire. Compare the PCS values of the most commonly used solutions for facade cladding and find out what this means for the fire safety of your building.

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Fire terminology explained

Fire terminology explained

Fire terminology can be quite confusing. What does fire resistant or fire retardant mean? And what does it mean when building materials are called non-combustible, combustible or flammable?

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SBI Test

The SBI Test (EN 13823): why is it the leading test for fire safety?

The leading standard for fire classification of construction products and building elements in Europe is the EN 13501. At the core of this classification is the SBI-test (Single Burning Item). What exactly happens during this test? And what does this mean for the fire safety of your building?

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Temperature

At what temperature does facade cladding start to burn and produce smoke?

Today, fires develop 5 to 10 times faster than they did in the 1950s. The performance of a building during fire therefore has a major influence on the safety of building occupants and first-responders.

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A and B board

What does A2 mean? What’s the difference between an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ board

The Euroclass system, which is the leading standard in Europe for fire safety classification of building materials, consists of the levels A1, A2, B, C, D, E and F. Both A1 and A2 mean that the classified material is non-combustible.

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The future use of building

It is important to keep in mind the future use of a building. A structure that today is not considered a high-risk building, could be one in ten years from now if its usage changes. For example, from an office building to an elderly care home.

Therefore, keeping in mind the lifetime safety of a building and its users is always the best way to go when dealing with fire safety. Using non-combustible materials is the only way to design out the potential dangers involved with current or future high-risk buildings.

The benefits of a ventilated facade

Rockpanel exterior cladding fits perfectly into your ventilated facade construction. A ventilated facade is a facade construction with an air gap between the insulation and the facade cladding. This gap is open at the top and bottom. This creates a way for natural ventilation of the facade. Scientific research shows that a ventilated facade has multiple benefits compared to other building techniques.

To discover all the benefits of Rockpanel facade cladding, and to learn more about all the advantages of ventilated facades, visit our Ventilated Facade page.

Learn more about Ventilated Facades

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Rockpanel’s view on the fire safety of facades

As part of the ROCKWOOL Group, Rockpanel shares its position on fire safety of facades. In this position we differentiate between high-rise and high-risk buildings, medium-rise buildings and low-rise buildings:

01

High-rise buildings

High-rise buildings

High-rise buildings

02

High-risk buildings

High-risk buildings

High-risk buildings

03

Medium buildings

Medium buildings

Medium buildings

04

Low-rise buildings

Low-rise buildings

Low-rise buildings

Building with ROCKWOOL

In order to secure fire safety in your building, all materials used in a facade construction should have a good reaction to fire. For example, think of the sub-construction and the insulation. For insulation, ROCKWOOL products, are an excellent choice when it comes to fire safety. Just like Rockpanel facade cladding, they are made from the volcanic rock basalt.

ROCKWOOL fire resilient solutions can slow the spread of flames, contain fires locally and stop them from spreading further. Robust stone wool insulation is a key component in fire-resilient buildings, as its fibres are non-combustible and can resist temperatures above 1,000°C.

For more information about the ROCKWOOL insulation products, please see www.rockwool.co.uk, or contact ROCKWOOL on info@rockwool.co.uk 

WEB RGB ROCKWOOL™ logo - Primary Colour

Visit ROCKWOOL site

Request your free brochure now!

Discover all the benefits of Rockpanel and get inspired with our new brochure:

“Fireproof the future”

Download the brochure below or request your free printed copy.

Download brochure

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Request your printed copy by submitting the contactform below.

We manufacture board material mostly used in ventilated constructions, for facade cladding, roof detailing, soffits and fascias.