Promat DURASTEEL® News Issue 4 Aug 05
01/08/2005
The design of a building can affect the amount of fire protection required. It is therefore imperative that measures are put in place at the design and planning stages to prevent total loss of a facility, should a fire occur.
Passive fire protection can help control the spread of a fire and limit the damage. This gives occupants the time to escape, as well as giving fire fighters a safer environment from which to fight the fire and to stop the building collapsing.
Larger buildings, which have multiple uses are in particular need of fire protection principles implemented at design stage.
DURASTEEL® is the market leader in industrial fire barriers and doors, and offers a complete fit-and-forget containment solution that has been tested under the most extreme conditions.
Key clients that have specified DURASTEEL® include BT, EDF, SCA and the Ministry of Defence, as well as architects and mechanical design consultants for landmark projects such as Tower Place, the Jubilee Line Extension, Museum of Scotland and British Museum.
Last year, DURASTEEL® was specified for the construction of Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 and to date, in excess of 80,000m2 has been used. Typical areas of use for DURASTEEL® include manufacturing, distribution, storage and warehousing, military buildings, petro-chemical plants, power stations, airports, underground train stations, road and rail tunnels, to name but a few.
High profile fires in recent years have highlighted the need for installation of passive fire protection in the construction of new buildings. The demand for passive fire protection is growing steadily, and is becoming a vital component of building design. Promat UK is able to provide expert advice, as well as working closely with designers to achieve the most cost-effective solution without compromising performance.
Fire protection must do more than simply stop the spread of smoke, flame and heat transfer. It must also withstand associated hazards such as water or impact, which can occur as the result of falling debris or fire-fighting action.
British Standards recommendations, building regulations and the growing demands of insurers means that it’s not an area where specifiers and building owners can afford to take a risk.
Barriers and firewalls
DURASTEEL® has been tested to comply with all relevant parts of BS 476. Its barriers have been assessed for use up to 15m in height for fire and wind-loading. It can withstand prolonged exposure to fire for up to six hours, and whilst hot, will withstand spray from fire-fighters or sprinkler action. It also complies with the growing number of tests demanded
by big insurers such as Lloyd’s of London, US specialist FM Global and Canada’s ULC.
Its exceptional fire protection is combined with lightness and durability. DURASTEEL® sheets are available in 6mm and 9.5mm, with a standard dimension of 2500mm x 1200mm. In 6mm, it weighs just 16.8kg/m2 and in 9.5mm just 21kg/m2.
Lightweight barrier systems are quicker to install and can absorb impact and blast far more effectively than a blockwork wall. Under normal circumstances there is no need for decorating. However, if there is an aesthetic demand it can be over-boarded or painted.
Due to the demountable nature of DURASTEEL®, some barrier systems may impart tax benefits due to being seen as fixtures and fittings and not part of the structure of the building. Because of its lightness and ease of installation, DURASTEEL® is also suitable for installation in existing buildings.
DURASTEEL® is strong enough to have heavy equipment face fixed onto it, e.g., alarms, electrical switch boxes,
trunking, hose-reels, cables and conduits. It is also suitable for enclosures and rooms for forklifts and hazardous materials.
Fire doors
The DURASTEEL® Door range of high performance steel doors is unique to Promat UK Limited. The manufacturing process, along with the design of the products, offers flexibility in configurations and performance. Each doorset can be purpose built to the client’s exact specifications, enabling virtually any shape or size to be created to meet the project requirements.
The DURASTEEL® Door range of doorsets can be supplied as an integral part of the DURASTEEL® fire protection system. These products have been designed with quality and performance in mind. The high impact resistance and durability of the DURASTEEL® sheet means that, once installed, they are virtually maintenance free. With a history of projects over 35 years, they have a proven track record. The range includes: DURAFIRE® DD 120/240 - hinged steel doorsets; DURAFIRE® DD 240 Slider – movable sections of a DURASTEEL® fire protection system; DURAFIRE® DD 240 Trap – can be designed to withstand light traffic loads and with a flush face and pivot hinge to avoid trip hazards; DURAFIRE® DD 120 and 240 Shutter – ideal for incorporation into industrial fire protection systems; DURASECURE DD 3/4/5 – outstanding resistance to intruder attack; DURASECURE DD Trap – offers an enhanced level of security to BT test standards.
To obtain further information on DURASTEEL® products, please contact Marion Deane – Telephone: 01344 381356 Email: mdeane@promat.co.uk
Promat UK Limited
The Sterling Centre, Eastern Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 2TD
Telephone: 00 44 (0)1344 381300 Fax: 00 44 (0)1344 381301