Modern sandwich is actively used in construction due to the speed of installation and energy efficiency, but it is the fire aspect that becomes crucial when choosing solutions. For any building, the safety of people, the safety of property and compliance with regulations are important. Fire resistance, fire hazard class and flammability directly depend on the composition of the panel and the insulation used. Therefore, understanding the requirements and characteristics of the material can reduce the risk and ensure reliable operation of the facility.

What is the fire safety of the material?

Fire safety of enclosing structures is determined by their behavior when exposed to fire and high temperature. The ability of the structure to maintain its load-bearing properties, prevent the spread of flames and release toxic products is taken into account. For this purpose, a technical approach is used, which is fixed in regulatory documents and confirmed by tests.

The main parameters used to evaluate the material include the following characteristics:

• Fire resistance: ability to maintain integrity and thermal insulation function for a given time.
• Flammability of insulation: an indicator that determines the participation of the inner layer in the development of a fire.
• Compliance with regulations: compliance with the requirements established by the construction regulations and the standard.

It is the combination of these factors that determines how safe the design is for humans and is suitable for specific operating conditions.

Fire resistance limits for buildings and structures

The design takes into account the limit during which the elements retain their functionality under fire. This indicator applies both to a single panel and to the entire building as a whole. It is especially important to take it into account for objects with a large number of people and for the industrial segment.

In regulatory practice, the following evaluation guidelines are used:

• Fire resistance limit (EI): the time interval during which insulating and load-bearing properties are maintained.
• Fire resistance limit (EI) for enclosing structures: it is taken into account when calculating evacuation and placement of fire zones.
• Compliance with design decisions: the value is set at the design stage and confirmed by calculations.

Compliance with these indicators is a mandatory requirement for putting an object into operation.

Fire safety classes

Each structure is assigned a class that reflects the level of risk in case of fire. The fire hazard class takes into account not only the material itself, but also its interaction with other building elements. It is determined on the basis of tests and fixed in the documentation.

The classification takes into account the following aspects:

• Ability to spread flames over a surface.
• Release of smoke and toxic substances.
• Influence on the conditions of evacuation through the corridor and door.

The lower the indicator, the higher the level of protection and the wider the scope of the design.

Symbols used

The regulatory documentation uses a single notation language that allows you to unambiguously interpret the characteristics. They are used in design and technical documentation, as well as during inspections by supervisory authorities. Knowing these designations makes it easier to monitor compliance and select solutions.

The most common designations include:

• NG: Indication of non-flammable materials (NG).
• NGA: a characteristic that confirms the absence of flame propagation over the surface.
• Fire Safety Certificate: an official document confirming compliance with the requirements.

The presence of such a certificate is a prerequisite for the use of products on the site.

Flammability groups

Combustibility is one of the key indicators that assesses insulation and the entire structure as a whole. It shows how the material behaves when exposed to fire and how actively it participates in its development. For sandwich panels, this parameter is especially important, since the inner layer determines the overall behavior of the system.

There are the following groups used in the classification:

• Non-flammable material: it does not support combustion and does not increase the danger.
• Low-flammable solutions: allowed if additional protective measures are observed.
• Combustible groups: limited in application and require special fire protection solutions.

Compliance with fire safety requirements, SNIP standards and current regulations allows you to use the fire resistance of sandwich panels effectively and safely. This approach ensures the reliability of the structure, reduces the risk to civilian objects and guarantees compliance with established standards.