As an important part of any building's fire safety strategy, passive fire protection is built into the structure to protect lives and limit the financial impact of damage to the building and its contents. Sika provides comprehensive solutions for tunnels, commercial and residential buildings, especially fire-resistant buildings such as steel structures. Fire-resistant coatings for load-bearing structures can build safe buildings.
Load-bearing structure fireproof coating
Using Sika Unitherm and Sika Pyroplast fire retardant coatings, quality and cost-optimized solutions can be achieved according to the required fire resistance rating, subsequent building codes and local conditions. Whether it is steel structure, wooden structure components or concrete, our product portfolio can provide reliable building protection in accordance with national and international standards, and is used in many important buildings and complexes around the world.
Through continuous, market-centric development work, Sika's fire protection products are classified and used in accordance with the latest European requirements, directives and EN standards.
The function and chemistry of fire retardant coatings
Although steel structures will not burn, very high temperatures will cause them to lose their load-bearing capacity within a few minutes and thus lose their static stability. The functional principle of fire retardant coatings is based on specific and very complex chemical product components.
Due to the heat of the fire, the adhesive starts to soften on the surface and then expands to form a foam. The initial millimeter-thin coating is transformed into a centimeter-thick microporous insulating foam to insulate the substrate.
Combination of protection and aesthetics
Round or rectangular hollow profiles are most often chosen because of their visual appearance.
Sika fire retardant coatings can protect such components without limitation without compromising their visual appearance. In addition, a wide range of decorative finishes will also purposefully enhance the appearance of the structure as a complementary design element.
Unlike wooden structures, steel does not burn. However, effective fire protection is also very important here. When exposed to extreme high temperatures, steel loses its load-bearing capacity and becomes unstable. This puts the building at risk of collapse.
Sika fire-resistant coatings extend the fire resistance of steel structural components to as long as 150 minutes, but only a few minutes without protection. A coating thickness of only a few millimeters is sufficient to achieve this goal. The function, contour, thickness and material of steel components are decisive for the required structure and application of fire-resistant coatings.
Wood is a natural building material with many uses. However, it is flammable and requires effective protection measures, especially when used in public buildings.
Sika Pyroplast wood fire protection system can inhibit or delay the surface inflammation and the spread of flames. Sustainable fireproof coatings combine the highest protection and aesthetic advantages-the coating is very thin and will not obscure the natural beauty of the wood.
Like steel, concrete does not burn and belongs to Class A building materials. However, the high heat input generated by the fire causes a decrease in the strength and rigidity of the concrete. For high-strength concrete mixtures, this can also cause explosive spalling until the entire building collapses. In the case of fire protection renovation of buildings due to changes in usage or inventory, concrete fire protection can be used.
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