Fire Performance
Approach to the fire performance of sandwich panels
Huurre has over 30 years’ experience in supplying insulation panels with PIR and PIR and mineral wool cores, designed to comply with applicable requirements relating to fire performance. The company applies a testing methodology aimed at assessing the fire performance of panels through tests carried out in accordance with recognised standards and classification systems, in order to obtain verified technical information on their performance in the event of a fire.
Huurre’s building systems are tested following installation guidelines that reproduce representative real-use configurations. These guidelines define the various building components and the accessories required for correct installation, in accordance with the requirements of each application. The analysis of test results and fire performance certifications contributes to the review and updating of the solutions offered, within a continuous improvement process.
The corporate philosophy “Not all insulation is the same” is reflected in the marketing of systems that hold certifications issued by independent external organizations. Furthermore, the company promotes the collection and analysis of information from real fires, where available, in order to objectively document the fire performance of its panels under real-world conditions.
Reaction and fire resistance
The two most common parameters for determining the behavior of an insulating panel in case of fire are its reaction to fire and its fire resistance. Reaction characterizes the response of the panel when subjected to fire, and is important during the early stages of the fire. Resistance, on the other hand, is critical when the fire is fully developed and the panel must contain the fire to prevent its spread.
Dual System by Huurre
The range of DUAL sandwich panels offer high fire resistance, i.e., they have EI classification. Each Huurre DUAL sandwich panel, along with its mounting conditions, provides a sectorization in case of fire for a certain time. Consult our DUAL systems catalog and contact us for more details.
FM Approvals Certification
Huurre evaluates some of its key products through testing carried out in accordance with the requirements established by FM Approvals. In 2007, the company developed PIRM, an advanced formulation aimed at improving certain performance characteristics of PIR cores. Panels with PIRM cores achieved FM Approved certification, becoming the first of their kind to be certified in Spain.
Currently, Huurre continues to work on the evaluation of panels with QuadCore® insulation cores, with the objective of enabling these solutions to meet the requirements necessary to be considered for FM certification.
Why is FM Approvals important?
– More rigorous standards: FM Approved panels undergo much more demanding tests than fire reaction or resistance tests.
– Global recognition: Its brand is respected by consumers, accreditation bodies and insurers.
– Certification process: FM Approved certification includes product evaluation and regular audits of production processes at manufacturing plants, as part of maintaining the certification.
FM Approvals is part of FM Global and acts as an independent organisation for the evaluation and certification of products designed to mitigate the risk of loss in commercial and industrial premises.
Find out all the details in each technical data sheet or contact us for more information.
Analysis of real fires
The analysis of real fire incidents forms part of the information considered by Huurre Ibérica in the evaluation of the fire performance of its sandwich panel systems. These analyses have been carried out by both Huurre and the Kingspan Group, based on investigations conducted by independent agencies specialising in fire investigation.
The so-called Real Fire Case Studies relating to Huurre and other Kingspan Group manufacturing sites have been subject to independent investigations. The information obtained from these studies provides documented data on the behaviour of panel systems under real fire conditions. Over time, a library of real fire case studies has been compiled, based on reports prepared by independent fire engineering consultancies.
General observations:
- – The reports analysed did not identify evidence indicating that the panels contributed to an increased risk of fire spread in the cases assessed.
- – In areas exposed to fire, PIR, PIRM and QuadCore® cores exhibited surface charring.
- – In the cases analysed, no indications of fire propagation through the insulated core of the sandwich panel were observed.
- – In areas not directly exposed to fire, PIR, PIRM and QuadCore® cores did not show signs of charring.