FIRE SAFETY & SECURITY
A1 OR A2 ? IS IT JUST A NUMBERS GAME ?
Ecodek ’ s Technical Manager , Michael Roberts , explores if there ’ s a need to chase the A1 fire classification for Polyester Powder .
THE A1 OBSESSION “ The need to improve on fire classifications has led some companies to uncompromisingly chase the A1 classification of non-combustible paint finishes on metal work . There is no doubt that the development of material technology to prevent any further incidents of fire spread on buildings is a must , but have we reached the limits of what is possible with a powder coating paint finish ?”
SETTING STANDARDS “ For specifiers and powder coaters of architectural aluminium , the recognised European Standard is BS EN 12206 . This standard goes hand-in-hand with Qualicoat , the internationally recognised specification for the production of high-quality coatings on aluminium products for architectural applications . These specifications also determine whether your product can be classified as A1 .”
TALKING THICKNESS “ According to AkzoNobel , a leading coating supplier , if you are applying a polyester powder coating to a non-combustible
metal to Qualicoat certified standards , then it cannot be above 25 µ m ( microns ) thick if you are claiming it achieves A1 . Qualicoat states that to meet its Class 1 - 2 coating specification the minimum coating thickness should be 60 µ m and to meet Class 3 is a minimum of 50 µ m - so reaching A1 is unachievable using their certified coating system .”
EDUCATING THE INDUSTRY “ Manufacturers are currently obsessed with achieving A1 status , whilst contractors believe only products achieving such standards are fit for purpose . And this is the problem – a lack of understanding about the difference between the A1 and A2 classifications .
“ A2 products are not sub-standard and by better understanding the differences between the A1 and A2 ratings , those involved in the construction industries will find they have a greater choice of products , without having to compromise on safety or quality .”
www . ecodek . co . uk
A fire door is an essential part of a building ’ s passive fire protection system . A critical component of every fire door is the hardware on it .
FIRE DOOR HARDWARE
As important as the door
At ZEROplus we have been independently fire testing door hardware for over 20 years , to be able today to offer an extensive range of tested products .
Seals Hinges Locks Euro Cylinders Lever Handles Door Closers Letter Plates
Door Stays Vision Frames Louvres Door Viewers Flush Bolts Panic & Emergency Exit Hardware
FIND OUT MORE AT : WWW . ZEROPLUS . CO . UK ZERO SEAL SYSTEMS LTD : 01785 282910
BULL PRODUCTS PROTECTS RIVERSIDE LANDMARK 80 STRAND
Bull Products , a manufacturer of life-saving fire protection equipment , has installed its
Cygnus 1 Wireless Alarm System at 80 Strand in London .
The former Shell-Mex building is currently undergoing a refurbishment project to provide 156,000 sq ft of flexible floorspace featuring stunning art deco features , contemporary spaces and riverside views .
The Cygnus Alarm units have been installed to protect the building during the refurbishment project . Due to the careful restoration of original art deco features , round the clock protection was required to ensure comprehensive safety of the site and its workers .
Working in partnership with Trident Electrical , Bull Products provided Cygnus fire alarms , extinguishers and trolleys across different levels of the 12-storey building . The Cygnus Alarm System was also required to interface with the permanent alarm system on site , ensuring that site workers were alerted to any risk of fire , 24 hours a day .
For more information , contact Bull on 01432 371170 , visit www . bullproducts . co . uk or email enquiries @ bullproducts . co . uk
PAGE 69 - ARCHETECH