fire retardant interiors of light weight composites

INTERIOR/REFURBISHMENT/LININGS
www.UnitedComposites.Net

NEWSLETTER

Passage of shopping centre in Rotterdam

Over the past few years national authorities are demanding more stricter requirements concerning fire retardancy and heat resistance of applied materials in interior parts for public areas and public transportation. This follows the disasters all throughout Europe (London Underground fire at King Cross Station, tunnel inferno France/Switzerland, Volendam and Enschede the Netherlands, and the tunnel blaze in Austria, etc.). More and more industries such as the transportation, marine, construction and civil industries are confronted with and are required to meet these higher demands. For the interior component supply industry it becomes more difficult and more expensive to meet with these higher demands.

It is now possible to make highly advanced light weight interior parts, with a newly developed production technique combined with a new developed phenolic resin, which meets the highest standards on fire retardancy/resistance (class 0/1 fire classification, click Fire Certificates) for construction, marine, defense and civil industrial applications. This new technique also has additional advantages, which differentiates it from all other known materials.

Example of Surface

Introduction

Advantage in case of Fire

Commercial
Advantages

Contact

Light weight sandwich ceiling element of Carbon/phenolic measuring > 18 m2, total weight 175 kg, including support frame. Total structure is self supporting and carry two persons

Advantages of interior part in case of fire
(click for Fire Certificates).

An exceptional level of fire performance, for example - fire class NEN 6065 class 1, BS 476 part 6 & 7 class 0/1 BS 6853 Cat 1a. The material has no contribution to fire, it only carbonizes. (click Fire Certification)
Minimal smoke development.
No auto - propagation of fire
No release of flammable vapors
Very low to almost none toxic fume emission.
Very high fire insulation values and very low heat release.

All this means, that in case of fire there is more time for evacuation because the fire propagates considerably more slowly. Evacuation is easier and leads to lower casualty levels because there is a very low smoke emission (one of the most hazardous problems with fire). Additionally there is a reduced chance of suffocation and lung injuries caused by smoke inhalation..

Example of Carbon & Aramide Fabric

Light weight columns and beams. columns and beams are approx. 8 m. long and have a U circumference of 1,2m. Columns and Beams are made of a sandwich glass/phenolic resin laminate. Columns and Beams have a graffiti proof granite/stone surface structure, weigh 75 kg and besides being an attractive interior part they also give protection part against fire/heat and high impact of steel columns and beams

Fire retardant tunnel lining

PARTNERS / LINKS

Interior parts are not only components to benefit from this technology but also heat shields to protect the steel/concrete columns, beams and roof/floor structures. Due to the high insulation values incorporated within the structures, they considerably extend the resistance time for exposure against inferno fires so that the steel /concrete structures maintain there strength and do not collapse.

It is also possible to incorporated anti ballistic / impact armor within the parts (see also composite armor page). This is especially interesting not only for interior parts but also for exterior parts as wall panels, doors etc.

Simply a much safer environment in case of fire, for the shopping customers, the firemen who evacuate, save people and put out the fire, but also for the owner (risk, insurance etc.)

Commercial Advantages
(click for fire retardant composites)

Parts are lightweight and have an enormous specific strength (high strength low weight ratio).
Parts can be manufactured in large single pieces and can have integrated fixing points molded in during construction.
Parts can be quickly and simply mounted and are easy to handle because of their low weight. Think of all those small and heavy parts to be mounted around columns, beams and not to mention the floor and ceiling panels. With this new technology and product design approach ease of assembly will be a lot easier.
Excellent design freedom for architects and industrial designers. Double curved parts, with different surface textures, finishes and colors - the possibilities are endless.
Graffiti and vandal proof - no corrosion. Therefore cheaper to maintain
Simple replacement of components
Costs can be reduced due to modern production technology compared to other more traditional materials - especially if product life cycles are taken into account.
Further financial advantages can be gained because to lower insurance costs.