Polyurethane systems, either sprayed, injected or in panels, have a great performance in case of fire. However, the reaction against fire of the constructive solution will depend, among other factors, on the coating material applied.
Is it possible to build an efficient and safe building with polyurethane? Next, we talk about polyurethane systems properties in case of fire.
Safe insulation against fire
The polyurethane industry tries to contribute to the safety of buildings, not only in terms of insulation but also in their behaviour when there is a fire.
According to PU Europe, the safety of a building in case of fire should be measured taking into account all the constructive elements, since analyzing the behaviour of the materials separately can lead to conclusions that don't fit reality.
The reaction against fire of a specific construction product is a poor indicator of the safety of a whole building in case of fire. This can be verified in studies such as the one carried out by ANPE, in which the behaviour of combustible thermal insulation (polyurethane) and non-combustible (glass fibres) products in real scenarios was compared.
The results of this study showed that, although the classification of safety in case of fire was better for the mineral fibre product (A1) compared to the polyurethane product (B-s1, d0), the polyurethane constructive system showed better results in test B (t2).
Contrary to what the classification showed, polyurethane systems remained below the required limit while mineral fibre did not prevent the spread of fire nor the persistence of flames.
Fire behaviour of PIRM CLASE 1 polyurethane system
The PIRM CLASE 1 polyurethane system has an excellent fire performance thanks to its highly reticulated cyclic structure.
When it comes into contact with the flame, this structure creates a carbonaceous surface mesh that protects the interior of the insulation and prevents its inflammation. The protection process stops automatically when the panel is no longer exposed to fire.
In this way, the interior of the polyurethane system as well as the building remain protected, while the insulation properties are not lost.
Would you like to watch the three videos of the tests comparing the reaction to fire of polyurethane and mineral fibre? Download them now.
