Promat, Remagin and Siniat launch fire integrity solution for building façades

Working with passive fire protection specialist Promat, Remagin has undertaken comprehensive testing in order to demonstrate mechanical performance where the structural framing system (SFS) interfaces with boarded structural steelwork.

While it’s vital that structural steelwork is protected from the threat of fire to maintain its structural integrity, it’s also essential to demonstrate that the fixings for items to that same steel will be suitable for the ambient conditions of the design.

Introducing board between SFS heads and steel beams can cause additional rotational movement, in turn increasing the bending moments on fixings and raising the risk of fatigue under dynamic loads.

To address this issue, Remagin has conducted independent tests on various screw types and configurations, gathering key data on failure loads and the level of movement. This was followed by cyclic loading tests to simulate real-world wind pressure on SFS infill wall panels.

The end results provided critical insights into fixing performance, allowing Remagin to develop a data-driven approach towards screw design and specification, with each fixing solution tailored to meet project-specific requirements and ensure structural reliability.

Fire resistance tests

In addition to mechanics, The Etex Group has also conducted bespoke fire resistance tests of walls attached to encased beams with an eye on demonstrating the resilience of the connection between the two systems.

Richard Wilson, technical and specification manager at Remagin, stated: “Through comprehensive testing, Remagin has successfully verified the mechanical capabilities of fixings used in key scenarios to ensure continued robustness. Each fixing design is customised to the specific requirements of individual projects. It’s essential that the structural steel protection strategy and the SFS design are addressed as early as possible and well co-ordinated.”

Wilson continued: “In addition to this, the fire testing demonstrated that fire integrity and insulation are maintained at the interface between the boarded primary steel and the wall system below. This testing provides confidence in the fire resistance capabilities of the holistic system to achieve performance through the complete elevation.”

Further, Wilson noted: “Having the ability to carry out robust testing in partnership with Promat and Siniat as brands within The Etex Group supports the collaborative approach that’s vital for driving up standards and offering expanded data beyond basic compliance.”

System selection

Joshua Slack, commercial director at Promat UK, added: “It’s really important that, as an industry, we consider what systems are best designed to protect different buildings and applications.”

Slack observed: “Intumescent paint has been commonly used where the SFS interfaces with steel framework, mainly due to the ease of the direct SFS fixing. However, complications can arise with this approach, firstly in ensuring that the SFS and any required insulation allows space for the paint to intumesce.”

Continuing this theme, Slack explained: “Where the structural steel aligns with a fire compartment line, the temperature needs to be kept lower than that at which intumescent paints typically activate. These factors should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure the best possible passive fire protection system is in place for the project.”

According to Slack: “By carrying out specific testing in partnership with Promat and Siniat, Remagin has ensured that design teams have clear data available to make design decisions and de-risk their projects. Going forward, it’s important that the industry continues to work together to enhance and develop testing and certification that supports accurate and confident specification and meets any challenges or concerns head-on where possible.”

*Further information is available online at www.promat.com/en-gb