Media Release
ASKIN 100mm XFLAM panel acheived an FRI -/60/30 for a ceiling installation
ASKINs high performance, fire resistant, XFLAM panel recently achieved a best in class by achieving a 60 minute fire resistance level for integrity and 30 minutes for insulation, in a horizontally laid AS1530.4 ceiling test.
“Cold storage facilities are a necessity for the majority of businesses in the food chain to keep their products fresh.”
A 4x3m specimen ceiling was constructed and then exposed to fire under standard controlled furnace conditions, as specified by a standard time/temperature curve. The elapsed times at which various changes occur are recorded.
The Fire-resistance level is determined for a non-load bearing ceiling as the time in minutes, before the criteria is met for breach of integrity and insulation.
For an element which is intended to separate spaces, failure of integrity is deemed to have occurred upon collapse, or the development of an opening through which flames are visible.
Insulation rating is deemed to be the time when either:
The average temperature of the relevant thermocouples attached to the unexposed face of the test specimen rises by more than 140K above the initial temperature, or
The temperature of any of the relevant thermocouples attached to the unexposed face of the test specimen rises by more than 180K above the initial temperature.
It is to be noted that the prescribed time-temperature curve is more severe than a real fire and temperatures in excess of 600°C can only be expected in non-sprinklered spaces with sufficient fuel load.
The November 100mm panel test achieved an FRL of -/60/30.
The test was stopped after 60 minutes.
XFLAM core maintains a rigid char structure on exposure to high temperatures, which enables it to insulate against heat for extended periods.