Since 2017, Conneely Facades have spent a considerable amount of time fire testing all types of facade installations, both at the BRE Garston and also at Exova Dubai. Our Construction Director has been involved in the construction of the fire test rigs and witnessed the burn for most cladding systems. This in-depth knowledge of fire testing gives Conneely Facades the absolute edge when it comes to quality control for fireproof facade installations.
FIRE TEST GRC SYSTEM CELOTEX RS500 Address:
Al Futtaim EXOVA LLC Façade Testing Laboratory, Dubai Investment Park 2, Dubai UAE, P.O. Box 34924
Importance of the fire test
The BS 8414 facades system fire performance test provides a recognised standard for testing complete rainscreen cladding build up, not just the component parts. The test sets the standard on how rainscreen cladding systems must be tested and assessed according to the criteria set out in BR 135.
When a rainscreen cladding system is awarded compliance based on BR 135 classification, the users of the building, architects, contractors and installers are assured that the cladding build up performs well in fire conditions, minimising the spread of fire in a tall building.
Fire test process
A full scale frame is used as the structural support upon which the external cladding build up specified in a project is installed. The structural framing is designed to mimic several floors on a tall building. The structural framing is designed to mimic several floors on a tall building, providing height markings which denote each specific floor height.
At the bottom of the rig, an opening can be observed, which mimics the way fire escapes from a window in a tall building. Fire seeks oxygen and will always be drawn towards a window.
Fire Test
In a generic fire test, a rig is built using the same materials and construction methods as specified and designed or the project, with GRC cladding installed on the structural framing. The test takes place within a 60 minute time frame. Once the fire has been lit at the base of the fire, two minutes are allowed for the fire to catch and propagate.
There are two stages of the test:
Stage 1
Once the fire has been ignited it is left to burn for 30 minutes whilst measurements and observations are recorded. these measures taken include, but are not limited to, how the fire spreads, how high it spreads, what happens to the material around the fire and what temperatures are reached in the materials. In order to achieve the required criteria, for the first 15 minutes the fire must not reach the second floor mark up and the temperature should not exceed 600°C.
Stage 2
After the end of 30 minutes of burning, the fire is then put out safely. The rig is then left to stand for a further 30 minutes. The reason for this is to examine if any of the build-up materials reignite, smoulder or fall off the position to establish performance. A detailed report is then forwarded to all parties, including the main contractor and architect.
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