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Qsystems: Fire Wall Systems
In accordance with Building Regulations it may be necessary for specific elements of the building construction to have a stipulated period of fire resistance. Building Regulations Approved Document B (2000 Edition) provides guidelines on suitable forms of fire resistant structures encompassing construction, single element performance, means of escape and fire control.
Categorised from B1 to B5, all of these requirements require integrated design evaluation to ensure effective compliance.Whilst all the conditions that come under consideration for fire performance cannot be included within this publication, the following summarised notes have been listed to help highlight the benefits of specifying Quedron built up profiled steel wall cladding systems. The following Building Regulations requirements are the most relevant when considering the use of steel cladding systems:
Approved Document B2 - Internal Fire Spread (Linings)
Requirement:
Internal fire spread (linings)
B2 (1) To inhibit the spread of fire within the building the
internal linings shall -
(a) resist the spread of flame over their surfaces; and
(b) have, if ignited, a rate of heat release which is
reasonable in the circumstances.
Classification of Performance
Building Regulations Approved Document B, Appendix A describes the
different classes of performance and the appropriate methods of test.
The main classifications used are based on tests to BS476: Parts 6 and 7.
All Quedron supplied organic coated steel cladding products such as
Plastisol, PVDF and Lining Enamel, when tested to the above
standards have an index (I) not exceeding 12 and a sub-index (i1) not
exceeding 6. As a result these products achieve a ‘Class 0’ spread of
flame rating in accordance with Building Regulations requirements
(highest rating achievable).
Approved Document B4 – External Fire Spread
Requirement:
External fire spread
B4 (1) The external walls of the building shall resist the
spread of fire over the walls and from one building
to another, having regard to the height, use and
position of the building.
(b) The roof of the building shall resist the spread of
fire over the roof and from one building to
another, having regard to the use and position of
the building.
External Surfaces
The external surfaces of the walls should meet the provisions in Diagram 36, Requirement B4, Section 12.
Using the same test methods as described for internal fire spread, all Quedron supplied organic coated steel cladding products will satisfy the highest
achievable rating of ‘Class 0’.
Please note that even if the above provisions have been met, buildings that are in excess of 15m above ground level require insulation of limited
combustibility. Therefore, all insulation recommended for use within Qsystems achieve non-combustible classification when tested to BS476 Part 4.
Fire Resistance Standard
The external walls of the building should have the appropriate fire resistance given in Building Regulations Approved Document B, Table A1,Appendix A.
This table covers specific provisions of test for fire resistance of elements of structure. Using BS476 Part 22 as the recommended test procedure for
non-loadbearing elements, the table stipulates method of exposure, integrity and insulation periods, when positioned at a requisite distance from the
relevant boundary.
Building Regulations Approved Document B,Table A1 refers to Table A2 which stipulates the required period of fire resistance based upon building
purpose, the height and whether sprinkler systems are to be incorporated.
For example, an external non-loadbearing wall, not more than 18m high, positioned more than a metre from the relevant boundary, will require an
integrity period of 90 minutes (non-sprinklered) and an insulation period of 15 minutes.
