Fire Performance

We treat the fire safety of our products very seriously and we have subjected them to both LPS 1181 and FM Global testing – two of the most stringent insurer based standards available. 

Our PIR composite panel systems have achieved universal certification to LPS 1181: EXT-B, some products are also available with EXT-A30 level, and in some cases EXT–A60 certification is also currently pending. For more detailed information, please download the Firesafe brochure on the right.

 

The ABI updated its Technical Briefing on sandwich systems in 2008 which was first published in May 2003. In amended clause 4.4, the ABI have recognised the importance of LPS 1181 approval for external composite panel systems. See the briefing paper on the right for full details.

 

The revised clause states:

 

“For insurance underwriting purposes, Insurers use the Design Guide for the Fire Protection of Buildings as a basis for providing guidance on what they require for property protection purposes, subject to a broad based risk assessment. In respect of external composite panels, these must be suitable for the intended end use application and should either have non-combustible cores or be LPCB approved to the appropriate requirements of LPS 1181 (see paragraph 3.11) and fully satisfy insurers fire resistance requirements (insulation and integrity) through appropriate testing.” (Clause 4.4)

The video below shows the real life fire performance of Kingspan's Firesafe PIR insulation core over a period of time from 5 minutes up to 75 minutes using a propane torch burning at over 1000^○C. Click on the play button beneath the small screen to see the video.