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Fire Rating Cannot Be An After Thought

31 Aug 2022 by Permax

The planning process for building works is a time intensive one. Whether you are an architect, engineer, builder or the client, you know the time put into making sure the smallest details are covered off and the structure will be nothing short of brilliant when it is built.

There may be discussion about the use of steel over concrete, whether to leave said steel exposed, the type of glass to use, how changes can be made to the floor plan to enhance cooling/heating of the building whilst maintaining the desired aesthetics and so on. The list really is endless.

However, what we are finding too often is that discussions around passive fire rating are being neglected till late in the building process. By the time it is realised that only little consideration has been given to the passive fire rating process, we’ve found that clients are either unhappy with the implications and impact the solution will have on aesthetic criteria or with the cost to reto-fit the solution to the structure.

We implore you to remember this: Fire rating cannot be an after thought. It Must be considered as part of the initial design phase and in the specifications phase. Whether it is fire rating protection for structural steel (intumescent paint or fire paint as some call it), fire collars, fire board or gap seals, passive fire protection is an integral component of the design process.

If you are unsure of what you need to consider, or how to interpret the 2012 BCA, then please, feel free to contact our offices as we will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Permax

Australia

Permax only source and supply products from the best manufacturers from around the world – those whose products meet the most stringent of criteria.The Permax team are highly qualified to help you with any question you may have. We can develop specifications, provide technical advisory notes and offer advice on design details to suit your project.We are Permax: a team of knowledgeable and experienced professionals who work with our clients to determine the right specifications for their project, determine ways to optimise the quantities required and ensure you are supported throughout the engineering and application process.Whether you are looking to learn more about the Nullifire range of products, source materials or a local certified installer, or are looking for technical assistance, Permax are here to help you.At Permax we are happy to offer our assistance and advice for your structural steel fire protection requirements. Our industry expertise has led us to compile a collection of the questions we are most frequently asked. One of our popular brand of structural steel fire protection is Nullifire.Nullifire is a brand recognized as a global leader in passive fire protection systems, and has become synonymous with some of the best structural steel fire protection coatings technologies available today. Formulated and manufactured to the highest standards, the Nullifire thin film intumescent coatings – specifically the SC900 series - offer application and performance advantages which have made it the first choice of builders, engineers, architects and specifiers in many countries world wide.Combating The Effects Of Fire - With NullifireFires are generally classified as either Cellulosic or Hydrocarbon fires. The essential difference between them relates to how quickly each reaches its maximum temperature range and the combustible fuel source feeding the fire.Cellulosic fires are those that are fuelled by materials such as timber, furniture, paper, plastics and other common items as found in buildings such as offices, hospitals, shopping centres and residential buildings.In such a fire, temperatures quickly reach around 550 degrees Celsius which over the course of the fire will have a dramatic effect on the structural steel within the building. Whilst it will not burn, it will warp and lose its ability to support a load, increasing the likelihood of building collapse.Under the NCC all buildings with exposed structural steel are required to implement protective measures around the steel.The Nullifire range of intumescent coatings are designed to protect structural steel in the case of cellulosic fire. Often called fire retardants, or mistakenly called "fireproof" paints, intumescent coatings refer to that class of specially formulated coatings which swell and form a protective "char" as a result of extreme heat exposure.Nullifire intumescent basecoats are formulated specifically to fire protect structural steel up to a fire rating level of 120 minutes.

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