Fire
Fire Resistance and Reaction to Fire.
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What fire rating does Siniat Fire Board give?
A plasterboard on its own does not give a fire resistance rating. It is the whole combination of products in a Siniat partition system which provides the fire resistance. For Siniat Fire Board , on our typical Siniat C-Stud framing, a single 15mm layer each side of the stud frame achieves 60mins fire resistance (insulation and integrity) and 2x 1
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What do I need to do to achieve fire protection to structural steel beams/columns?
Etex provides a few options to fire protect structural steel beams and columns. In order to provide a suitable system, knowledge of the fire protection period and the size of the steel are required. The size of the steel is used to calculate the Hp/A, which is the heated perimeter divided by the cross sectional area. It is known as the section fact
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Can Weather Defence™ be used for steel encasements?
Whilst Weather DefenceTM is a Type F plasterboard which has not been specifically tested in a fire protection encasement system. As such we cannot recommend the use of Weather DefenceTM in a fire protection system.
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How do Siniat Fire test partitions?
Siniat test all its fire-rated systems through independent 3rd party UKAS accredited bodies. Siniat partitions are tested to EN 1364-1: Fire resistance tests for non-loadbearing elements - Part 1: Walls Explore our EN Partition range
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What extensions can I make to a fire rated partition?
You may want to extend a tested fire performing partition build-up. The following rules have been taken from the Extended field of application standard EN 15254-1: Lightweight Partitions. Framing Allowed Not Allowed Increase stud gauge Decrease stud gauge Decrease stud spacing Increase stud spacing Increase stud depth Decrease stud depth Increase
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What is the Siniat route to Fire substantiation?
The simplest way to look at the amendments to Approved Document B is that any fire-resisting element should be proven using EN standards, following the process of ‘test’, then ‘extend’, and then ‘classify’. TEST - Testing must use the appropriate EN fire-testing standard. EXTEND - Extension of test data to similar applications can be done, but only
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What is Fire Classification?
What is the purpose of a fire classification report? When a fire test on a system is carried out, a test report is issued containing complex raw data. As defined in Approved Document B, the system is then required to be 3rd party classified to EN 13501-2. A classification report is a uniform and standardised structure to express the fire performance
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Should I design to BS or EN Standards?
The design standards to which a project is being built should be defined by the project client. You should confirm this before the design process begins. Siniat will support projects that are being built to either standard, however believe that EN fire standards are more robust and clearer in their interpretation and therefore have and will continue
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Why is there a shift from BS to EN fire testing standards?
BS 476 standards have not been reviewed or updated since 1999 when the CPR decided that standards across Europe should be harmonised. Approved Document B still references BS standards in some cases, but are referenced in footnotes and it is unclear how to interpret this correctly. A recent government consultation has been published on the removal of
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What is EXAP?
Put simply, EXAP stands for extended field of application. These are the only EN standards allowed to go beyond the fire test standard to extend the number of 3rd party approved applications. Why EXAP and why now? In 2018, the Hackitt report triggered changes to Approved Document B. The changes meant that products and systems for fire resistance a
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How do I read the new partition system names?
Partition code structure In order to understand the build-up of the system just from the name, the code is split into sections (indicated with ‘-’) FRAMING- BOARDING - INSULATION Framing Boarding Insulation Frame Type No. Layers No. Layers Stud Profile Thickness Thickness Stud Width Name Type Stud Gauge Asymmetric Stud Centres Accessories
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Why have Siniat changed their partition system names?
To help the transition to our new range of EN and EXAP compliant data we have implemented a new range of system reference codes. Instead of using assigned numbers (e.g. RSP 038) these codes now describe the build-up of a system. In time this will become a much easier way to work with Siniat systems. This implementation is starting with Siniat Partit
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Is Siniat Intumescent acoustic mastic compatible with cPVC products?
No. Siniat have been advised that the Siniat Intumescent Acoustic Mastic is not suitable for use with cPVC products as per the Lubrizol assessment. The only solution within the Etex group is to use the Promat Promaseal HPEx Sealant to seal penetrations by cPVC pipework through Siniat plasterboard systems.
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What insulation can be used to achieve the acoustic performance of a partition system?
Siniat Partition and Shaftwall systems can include glass mineral wool insulation in the cavity of the system to obtain improved acoustic performance over the empty cavity equivalent. Siniat do not mention a particular manufacturer of glass mineral wool so to achieve the quoted performance the thickness of GMW insulation used must be at least that
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What is the coverage of your Siniat Fire Rated Silicone Sealant?
Siniat Fire Rated Silicone Sealant comes in 0.6L foil cartridges. Based on a 6mm diameter bead, you will get approximately 17 linear metres per cartridge..
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Is it possible to install glazed screens in Siniat Shaftwall systems?
Siniat are unable to provide opening details to support glazing in Shaftwall constructions. If a glazed opening is required in a shaftwall construction then appropriate supporting structural framing (SHS / Goal posts) will need to be provided. This structure will then need to be fire protected using relevant board solutions and the Shaftwall constru
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Can you install back-to-back sockets in a partition?
Standard industry recommendation is to avoid back-to-back sockets wherever possible. Sockets should ideally be installed in their own stud bay with back-to-back sockets being staggered in different stud bays. Where this cannot be avoided then back-to-back sockets should be offset by a minimum of 150mm. Please note that to maintain both the fire an
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Do Siniat have fire test data to support door openings within partitions?
It is the responsibility of the relevant door manufacturer to provide test data and advise on the construction they used to meet the desired fire performance with their door sets/assemblies. The door details Siniat provide are recommendations to form framed openings to support the door weights as outlined in the site-specific project pack and the G
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What plasterboards should be used for framing out opening when installing dampers in partitions?
When creating an opening within a partition for a damper, the opening should be capped with the same number of layers and thickness of plasterboard as per the partition system with further consideration to the actual test data associated with the damper system. As a minimum both criteria must be met.
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Does Siniat have Shaftwall solutions for horizontal applications?
Siniat do not currently have a tested horizontal shaftwall. The Siniat Shaftwall range is for vertical application only. Promat do have options for horizontal membranes that may suit your application.
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Can an extra layer of plasterboard be fixed to an existing party wall to improve performance?
Fixing additional layer of plasterboard to an existing separating wall will likely yield some improved performance. However the amount of gain will be dependent on the specification of the original wall. As this is already a high performing wall (fire and acoustics) the increase in performance may not be that significant. To best advise, the specif
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When forming a door opening within a partition, should it be capped with plasterboard?
Ultimately, the requirement for the opening to be capped with plasterboard rests with the door set manufacturer. Their door set fire tests will detail how the the interface was formed and that as a minimum must be followed. From a Siniat perspective, the capping of the door opening is deemed as good practice using the same specification of boards
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Does the Siniat Tilebacker board provide or contribute to the fire resistance of a system?
Siniat Tilebacker board has not been tested as part of a system for fire resistance. The board is classified as A2,s1-d0 for reaction to fire similar to other internal plasterboards in the range. To create system with a specific fire resistance period, specify internal plasterboards to meet all requirements (fire, acoustic, robustness, height) then
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How should a profiled soffit be detailed to maintain performance of a partition fixed to it?
When fixing the head of a partition to a profiled rib deck, the profiles must be fire stopped to maintain the same fire resistance performance as the partition below. There are specialised products that are available from fire stopping manufacturers to suit this purpose and guidance from the relevant manufacturer must be sought to ensure they are in
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What is the reaction to fire classification of Siniat Joint Tape?
Siniat Joint Tape in isolation has a reaction to fire Euroclass of F to EN 13501-1. However when used as part of a full Siniat Jointing system with Siniat joint compounds, the reaction to fire Euroclass is A2-s1,d0 in line with BS EN 13963:2014 Annex B.
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What guidance is there for fire stopping pipe penetrations?
To suitably fire stop pipe penetrations through Siniat systems, the recommendation is that these must be in line with guidance in the latest revisions of Approved Document Part B (Section 9) of the Building Regulations and with the fire stopping manufacturers tested system. Within Approved Document B (2019 edition with amendments up to 2022), the r
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Can you install back-to-back sockets in a partition?
The standard industry recommendation is to avoid back-to-back sockets wherever possible. Sockets should ideally be installed in their own stud bay to provide a stagger to minimise acoustic loss in combination with the desired baffle to maintain all performances of the system. The penetration must be fire stopped with an appropriate product each si
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What solutions are available to provide a fire resisting ceiling to timber trusses ?
Siniat currently do not have a solution for boarding direct to timber rafters to achieve fire compartmentation. Promat have a solutions with Supalux as below: For more information on Promat solutions please contact Promat on technical@promat.co.uk
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Are noggings required with a timber ceiling?
For the purpose of fixing Siniat Plasterboard direct to the underside of a timber ceiling, there are two scenarios which will dictate the need for noggings. In cold state - where the ceiling/floor element is not required to have a fire resistant period the following recommmendations can be followed: In hot state - where the ceiling is required to
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Can plasterboard be installed horizontally (long edge) as well as vertically?
From a mechanical perspective, you can install plasterboard with the long edge either horizontal or vertically. What is important is the boards are fixed to framing components at the correct centres. With systems that are required to have a fire resistance and are installed to the latest fire regulations and standards, in order to be in line with th
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What plasterboards can be used as part of the Siniat framed encasement system?
Siniat encasement systems are all based on 12.5mm and 15mm Siniat Fireboard. Siniat Fireboard is defined as Type F to BS EN 520 and it is Siniats opinion that Fireboard can be switched with Megadeco or Universal boards to achieve the same fire protection as these are both Type F also. Should it be desired to used Universal or Megadeco instead of Fir
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How can I combine an intumescent painted steel with boarded encasement system to provide steel protection?
Situations will occur where the fire protection system needs to change from one type to another on a single beam for example. Such junctions are unlikely to be tested therefore there is a grey area in regard to liability. Siniat do not have test data on a junction where a single beam is fire protected with two different systems. Wherever possible th
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How should Siniat Weather Defence board joints be treated when used in Thruwall systems?
There are two ways in which the board to board joints in Siniat Weather Defence can be treated as part of the Siniat Thruwall system. Which method is used is dependant on the performance the element is required to achieve. Siniat Weather Defence™ Joint Tape may be used where no fire resistance or acoustic performance is required. This is to achieve
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Can Siniat Weather Defence be used to encase and fire protect structural steel?
Siniat Weather Defence has not been tested as part of a structural steel fire protection encasmeent system. As such this can not be recommended and steels will require to be fully fire protected by other means.
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What is the maximum deflection allowance that can be incorporated within the Siniat A1 Shaftwall system?
The Siniat A1 shaftwall deflection head detail can cater for upto 40mm movement. At construction you will need to understand whether you need to allow for upward and downward movement or just downward and install accordingly, but the maximum range of movement is 40mm. The deflection head configurations are shown below: Please follow the link for f