Influence of Horizontal and Vertical Barriers on Fire Development for Ventilated Fac¸ades

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Antonela Čolić
• Author: Ivana Banjad Pečur
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Civil Engineering
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: TECHNICAL SCIENCES; Civil Engineering

Abstract (english)

Although using various innovative materials for ventilated facade systems
positively contribute to the energy efficiency of buildings, the application of such
materials can also pose a certain risk of fire propagation through the fac¸ade. In the
last decade, medium and large-scale tests, as well as numerical analysis have been
performed to assess the impact of fire barriers on fire propagation through ventilated
fac¸ades. However, the number of fire barriers and their specific positions can also
have an effect on the fire safety of facades, which has not been studied. Consequently,
the question arises whether real fire exposure on a fac¸ade can be adequately
simulated and analysed in sufficient detail, by using large-scale testing methods. This
paper aims to conduct a parametric analysis on a broader range of large-scale samples
by using the procedure given in the standard BS 8414-1:2015 + A1:2017. To
understand better the impact of the number and position of cavity barriers for different
types of insulation materials (stone wool/PIR/phenolic foam) used in modern
fac¸ade systems with non-combustible cladding (ACM-A2). Seven tests were carried
out in Croatia between October 2017 and April 2018. In the case of combustible
insulation, two horizontal barriers were insufficient in preventing fire propagation.
Temperatures accumulated above 600C, reaching 840C in PIR insulation and
979C in phenolic foam insulation. For the same sample designed with non-combustible
insulation, the maximum temperature measured was 133C. Facades with
combustible insulation passed the test only when four horizontal barriers were used.
The existence of vertical barriers had a positive impact on preventing the fire propagation
because the insulation on the left side of the chamber, behind the vertical barrier,
remained undamaged. Vertical barriers on the right side of the chamber delayed
the horizontal fire propagation from the main wall to the wing wall depending on the
type of insulation. The results from these tests can serve as a basis for future research
on the effects of fire barriers on fire propagation.

• Keywords (english): Ventilated façade, Cavity barriers, Combustible insulation, Large-scale tests, Fire spread
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Fire Technology
• Numbering: vol. 56, p. 1725, 1754
• p-ISSN: 0015-2684
• e-ISSN: 1572-8099
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-020-00950-w
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:237:810446
• Publication: 2020
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-09-04 09:17:35