Fire Reaction
We can never be too careful when it comes to fire safety. Choosing a suspended ceiling over an open plenum ceiling offers added protection, as the ceiling represents a significant percentage of a room's surface area, which ultimately influences the growth rate of a fire within the overall space.
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE PROTECTION
Active fire protection comprises additional features such as smoke detectors, automatic fire alarms, water sprinklers and gaseous fire protection systems. Passive systems on the other hand, are the actual ceiling constructions and lining materials, which are tested for their ability to prevent fire from developing and spreading.
SMOKE DETECTOR/SPRINKLER ACTIVATION
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When a suspended ceiling is used at a typical ceiling height, smoke detection and sprinkler systems will activate faster.
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Occupants will receive an earlier warning and sprinklers can react to a much smaller fire when a suspended ceiling is used at a typical ceiling height.
FIRE REACTION VS FIRE RESISTANCE
The difference between fire reaction and resistance is that one relates to how surface burning materials ‘react’ to a developing fire within a specific area, while the other relates to how the ceiling ‘resists’ or prevents the fire from spreading to other parts of the building and causing structural damage.
ACHIEVING FIRE RESISTANCE
Fire resistance in suspended ceilings is achieved with a combined tile and grid system. National market legislation, the ceiling product and type of structure can influence the time, but Knauf Ceiling Solutions provide 30 to 60+ minutes’ protection
BUILDING REGULATIONS
Building regulations require that building linings, such as suspended ceilings, meet the appropriate fire reaction performance depending on the area of application.
Fire reaction performance for suspended ceilings is shown using the Euroclass fire reaction classification. Products achieving B-s2.d3 (or better) are defined as Class 0 in the Building Regulations – meaning they can be used in all areas of the building – a performance that is easily met by all Knauf Ceiling Solutions products. Be safe. Use Knauf’s fire resistant ceiling tiles.
FIRE EUROCLASS
Euroclass is the European standard classification for the fire reaction performance of building materials. Ratings range from the highest (A1) to the lowest (F), with additional requirements for smoke production and flaming droplets or particles, based on national market legislation.
