Fire-rated boards – tested, economical and fire-safe by design
Fire-rated boards (also known as fire-resistant boards) are non-combustible or flame-retardant boards serving as surface insulation in a wide variety of building elements. They are used in the construction of fire doors, shafts, ventilation ducts and partition walls to provide tailor-made solutions for all fire protection requirements.
Fire-rated boards by KuhnOdice
Benefits of fire-rated boards
Fire-rated boards offer a number of benefits:
- Fire resistance: Fire-rated boards can withstand high temperatures for long periods of time, which is crucial to saving lives in an emergency.
- Ease of use: less installation costs – less installation time.
- High durability, long service life.
- Enhanced insulation: The boards contribute to acoustic and thermal insulation, thus providing energy savings.
- Safe to handle and work with.
Basic components of fire-rated boards
Our range of fire-rated boards has continuously evolved over time, in line with our customers’ requirements. We offer fire-resistant boards made of various non-combustible base materials:
- silicates
- gypsum
- mineral insulation materials
- mineral fibre
- composite materials
The boards’ protective function can be even further enhanced by applying special coatings.
How fire-rated boards work
Fire-rated boards act as a physical barrier between the fire and the other building components. The non-combustible boards are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and to prevent the penetration of flames. At the same time, they inhibit heat transfer.
Fire-resistant boards based on calcium silicate of gypsum are capable of binding water of crystallisation (i.e. water that occurs in crystals, but is not covalently bonded to a host molecule or ion) and of releasing it in the form of water vapour when a fire strikes. This ensures cooling of the neighbouring components for a certain period of time, thus maintaining the component’s structural integrity during the fire.
Fire-rated boards in doors and wall coverings
Fire-rated boards play an important role in making doors and wall coverings fit for fire safety:
- Prevention of fire spread: Fire-rated boards can significantly increase the fire resistance period of doors and walls. The boards form a barrier that prevents the spread of fire and smoke between rooms or other parts of the building.
- Higher fire resistance class: The use of fire-rated boards in doors and walls enhances the elements’ overall fire resistance and can thus provide higher fire resistance classes such as F30, F60 or F90. The doors and walls will then be able to withstand a fire for 30, 60 or 90 minutes.
- Structural protection: When applied to doors, the boards protect the doors’ internal structure and insulating materials from rapid destruction by fire. In the case of wall coverings or claddings, they provide an extra protective layer for the wall behind.
- Compliance with fire protection regulations: Fire-rated boards help to meet the stringent fire protection requirements applicable to buildings, especially to public buildings, office complexes and industrial plants.
- Enhanced evacuation procedures: Delaying the spread of fire provides more time for evacuation and rescue operations.
- Reduction of fire damage: Fire-rated boards are capable of containing the spread of fire and thus of limiting potential damage.
Fire-rated boards are, therefore, an essential component of passive fire protection and contribute significantly to keeping people and property safe.
Why choose fire-rated boards by KuhnOdice?
Our calcium silicate materials retain their structural stability even at high temperatures and in the face of fire. This qualifies them as an extremely reliable and efficient barrier against heat, fire, smoke and gas. All our calcium silicate materials are fit for use in wet or damp areas, and they are customisable with additional coatings.
Questions and answers about fire-rated boards
Get in touch
KuhnOdice Germany GmbH
Jaegersgrund 10
57339 Erndtebrueck
Germany