Fire Rating

INTRODUCTION

A Statement Concerning Fire and the Flammability or otherwise of External Wall Insulation.

In the light of the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in London, we have received a number of calls from concerned customers concerning the properties of the insulation which we use.

The insulation panels used in the Grenfell tower featured a polyethylene (PE) core according to a report in the Times newspaper of June 16th. It is alleged that although fire retardant versions were available, a non-fire retardant version was used in this case. It is believed that this, plus the gap believed to have been left between the walls and the back of the panels, contributed to the spread of fire in this case.

It is not for us to speculate on the veracity of this claim, or to prejudge the outcome of any enquiry. We are however pleased to confirm that we do not use polyethylene panels in our insulation system.

Our panels are of expanded polystyrene (EPS) with graphite and conform to BS EN 13501-1.

Class B-s2,d0. This equates to a Class 1 overall fire rating.

The classification confirms that our panels, unlike the PE ones allegedly used at Grenfell, would make a ‘very limited contribution to fire’. This is reflected in the Class B rating. The s2 section means the quantity and speed of emission of smoke is ‘limited’. The d0 section means that there are no (0) flaming droplets or particles produced during combustion.

We are happy to reassure our customers that we take the safety of our customers extremely seriously, and do not and will not specify anything other than our regular insulation panels on any job.

Furthermore by fixing the insulation directly to the existing outer surface of the home, there is no vertical gap created through which fire or heat could spread vertically (the so-called ‘chimney effect’).

CONTACT

If you have any questions about this Fire Rating Disclaimer, please contact us via our Contact Page.