CSR Fire Seal

Don’t let your work go up in flames

Bradford InsulationFireseal™

Curtain Wall Systems

TM

Proven Protection for your Building

Don’t let your work go up in flames

ContentsBradford Insulation Background 2

Introduction 2

Benefits of Bradford Insulation 3

Product Range and Application Guide 4-5

Bradford Rockwool Spanseal™ Boards 4

Bradford Rockwool Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Batts 4

Bradford Rockwool Spanseal™ Dark Boards 4

Bradford Rockwool Fireseal™ Loose 5

Facing Options 5

Bradford Fireseal™ Support Clips 5

Fire-Rated Sealant 5

Bradford Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Systems 6

Fire Testing 7

Full Scale Fire Testing 8-9

Other Fire Testing 9

Design Criteria 10

Why Choose Rockwool 10

Relevant Fire Codes by Country 10

Design Requirements for Fire Protectionin Australia and Asia 11

Noise Control 12

Thermal Performance 12

Condensation Control 12

Cladding Selection 13

Installed Cost 13

Weather Protection 13

Health & Safety 13

Staining/Blooming 13

Sample Specification 14

Appendix A Common Questions and Answers 14

Appendix B Project References 15

Appendix C Terminology 15

2

BackgroundThe Bradford Insulation Group forms part of the Building

Materials Division of CSR Limited. Bradford Insulation

manufactures and markets a wide range of insulation products

which offer outstanding fire, acoustic and thermal performance.

The purpose of this guide is to provide the specifier and

builder with assistance in choosing the right insulation for fire

protection in curtain wall construction for high rise buildings.

All Bradford Insulation products are tested to meet stringent

international quality control standards.

A free and comprehensive technical service, as well as advice

and assistance in specifying and using Bradford products, is

available from Bradford Insulation offices across Asia,Australia and

New Zealand.

IntroductionFire protection has always been a major concern for

occupants, fire fighters, and building insurers. Innovative materials

and fast track construction methods have resulted in increased

complexity and uncertainty when choosing suitable products.

The tragic fires of Brazil in the 70’s, those in Thailand and Taiwan

recently, have demonstrated that flames can spread over a facade

very quickly with tragic consequences. Many fires have been

reported to have moved floor to floor directly through the gap

between the floor slab, curtain wall and penetrations in a building.

It is fundamental that effective and proven non-combustible

materials, and systems are used to provide fire barriers.

Very little research has been carried out on curtain

wall testing to provide the industry with performance

baselines. Bradford Insulation carried out a full scale fire test

and supplementary independent testing at the CSIRO

(Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation) -

Fire Division (Sydney, Australia) to establish the performance of

different insulation materials in the event of fire. The results were

impressive and highlighted the superior performance of rockwool

as a fire barrier, and the limitations of other insulation products in

these applications.

Bradford Rockwool Spanseal™ Boards and Bradford

Rockwool Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Batts, satisfy this stringent

fire standard and enhance acoustic and thermal performance of

these systems. In some countries insurance premiums may be

reduced due to the lower risk of fire damage.

King Tower Shanghai (P.R. of China)

3

Thermal ControlThe excellent insulation properties ofBradford Insulation mean a pleasant controlled interior environment is possible.

Moisture ResistantNegligible amount of moisture absorption0.2%V/V, if subject to wetting, insulationrecovers its full physical and mechanicalproperties upon drying out.

Fire ProtectionBradford Rockwool is non-combustible.Rockwool has excellent fire rating properties of up to 4 hours, with fusiontemperatures in excess of 1150°C.

Simple InstallationBradford Insulation is easily installed to suit spandrel panels and firesafing applications.

Non-CorrosivePH of rockwool is always neutralto slightly alkaline.

Non Staining/Low BinderBradford Rockwool has no water soluble contents in its composition.

Long LifeManufactured to meet strict qualityand performance criteria.

Technical SupportOur local staff can assist with heattransfer and dew point calculations,and systems advice.

Mildew ProofRockwool is inert, providesno sustenance to moulds.

Acoustic PerformanceInsulation can significantly enhance the performance of curtain walls,with up to 8 STC points increasedepending on system chosen.

Thermal ResistanceBradford Rockwool has excellentthermal resistance performance forthe fixed thickness of the spandrel.

Vermin ResistantNil food value in Rockwool.

Regional AvailabilityBradford Insulation has offices in Asia,Australia and New Zealand.

Smoke ResistanceUp to 2 hours depending onsystem chosen.

Proven & Tested SystemsBradford Fireseal™ Curtain Wall systemscomply with AS 1530.4, BS 476 20-22,ISO 834,ASTM E 119, and JIS A 1304.

Benefits of CSR Bradford Insulation Fireseal™


Benefits of CSR Bradford Insulation Fireseal™


Light WeightWeight savings compared to masonryor concrete beams for equivalent fireresistance in spandrels.

Product Range and

Bradford RockwoolSpanseal™ Boards

Product Name Density (kg/m3)R Value (m2k/w)

at 20°C for50mm thick product

Bradford RockwoolFireseal™ Curtain Wall Batts

Fireseal™ 64 135* NA/120/120Curtain Wall Batts 165 NA/240/240

Product Name

Density(kg/m3)

Final Thickness(mm)

Fire Resistance Level(mins)

Bradford RockwoolSpanseal™ Dark Boards

Product Name Density (kg/m3)

4

Application: Due to the nature of curtain wall construction, asmall gap of 50-100mm between the aluminium frame and edgeof the concrete slab occurs. For effective fire control betweenfloors it is recommended to install Bradford Fireseal™ CurtainWall Batts by compressing into the cavity. It is a requirement that the product must be compressed by 15% of its thickness to beeffective. This will serve to protect adjacent occupants and property from possible fire and smoke ingress.This product is alsocommonly referred to as firesafing.

Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Batts are available with a foil facing onone side for superior smoke protection. Please consult your localsales office for availability.

Application: To camouflage the insulation behind glass.Spanseal™ Dark is an alternative to black tissue.

Bradford Fireseal™Curtain Wall Systems

Bradford recommends only rockwool products in curtain wall systems as suitable fire protection to occupants and property.

Bradford Spanseal™ and Fireseal™ products are non-combustibleand have melting points in excess of 850°C.

The options available to the specifier are outlined in Curtain Wall Systems on page 6.

Double Glazed Units

Aluminium Mullions

Structural Concrete Floor

Bradford Spanseal™ Boards

Bradford Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Batts

Structural Angle Bracket

Aluminium Decorative Panels

Aluminium Transom

Bradford Fireseal™ Support Clips

Spanseal™ 64 1.47

Spanseal™ 80 80 1.48

Spanseal™ 100 100 1.50

Spanseal™ Premium 126 1.52

*Other sizes also available, please refer to p12

Application: This product acts as a fire barrier and is incorporated in the manufacture of the curtain walling spandrelpanels. This type of fire resistance is passive and serves to compartmentalise the building into isolated sections and containany possible fire to the floor of origin.

Apart from fire protection, rockwool insulation also has excellent thermal insulation and acoustic properties. This productcan be faced in a variety of options including black tissue. As thedensity of the product increases, the spandrels become more rigid,and easier to handle with some increased acoustic & thermal benefits. Also there is more resistance to radiant heat flow. For custom sizes and densities please refer to your local sales office.

R Value (m2k/w)at 20°C for

50mm thick product

Spanseal™ Dark 110 1.51

Application GuideBradford Rockwool

Fireseal™ LooseFireseal™

Support Clips

Fire Rated Sealant

Application: Loose rockwool is commonly used in sealing the gap between service pipes and penetrations throughconcrete floors. For it to be effective it must be compressed firmly to a density of 260kg/m3.This product can also be placedin fire rated pillows for temporary service protection. The fusion temperature of this product is 11500C. Fire collars are recommended for PVC pipes.

Normally applied on the internalface of the spandrel panel to act as avapour barrier for condensation.It is available in three grades, light,medium and heavy duty. These products are fire retardant with lowsmoke indices.

Commonly used on the external face of a curtain wall. Non-woven fibreglass facing provides excellentcamouflage for dark coloured glass.

Is a white version of BMF.

A thin polyester fabric which isapplied to one face of rockwool flexible products to improve flexibility,handling strength and minimise surface cracking when applied tocurved surfaces.

Used to seal any joints or gaps on theinternal face of the spandrel panel toensure that a complete vapour barrieris achieved.

Bradford ThermofoilTM

Tissue Black Matt Face (BMF)

Cleanface (CF)

Flex Skin

Reinforced AluminiumFoil Tape

Facing Type Description/Application

Fireseal Loose 12.5 240 minutes for 20mmthick cover

Product Name

Weight perpack (kg)

Fire ResistanceLevel

Facing Options

5

Application: If a continuous galvanised plate is not specified aspart of the curtain wall design, to secure Fireseal™ Curtain WallBatts, support clips are necessary at 450mm centres.

The two options available are 316 Stainless steel or Galvanisedsteel. A small hole can be provided on the top of the clip formechanical fixing into the concrete slab. Contact your BradfordInsulation office for availability.

Application: Fire rated sealants are used to seal the interfacesbetween the Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Batt and the edge of the slaband curtain wall.

Products such as Bostik Fireban One have been successfullyused in the Bradford Insulation fire testing program. Equivalentsealants may also be suitable if they have a fire rating of up to 4hours. Please refer to Bradford Insulation offices for availabilityand technical support.

Refer to CSR Bradford Insulation product data sheets andtechnical manuals for complete technical data.

6

Bradford Fireseal™

Curtain Wall Systems1. AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND

Complies with Building Code of Australia

1 Hour Fire Rating (Spandrel and Firesafing)

1 Hour Smoke Rating (Smokeseal flashing)

2. ASIA

Complies with 2 hour Fire Rating regulations (firesafing)

Premium smoke control system (smokeseal flashing, sealant and foil faced firesafing)

3. ASIA


Standard Smoke Control System (with sealant)

4. ASIA


Standard Smoke Control (without sealant)

FS 001 FS 002

FS 003 FS 004

50mm THICK CSR BRADFORD

INSULATIONSPANSEAL™ PANELS

CSR BRADFORD INSULATION FIRESEAL™ CURTAIN WALL BATTS

RECOMMENDED


VIS

ION

SPA

ND

REL

VIS

ION

TRANSOMJOINT

COMPOSITE ORGLASS PANELS

STACKJOINT

EXP.

JOIN

T

DOUBLE GLAZING UNIT

13mm CSR GYPROCK®PLASTERBOARD


PERIMETER SEALAGAINST COLUMNS

1.2mm GALVANISED SHEETSMOKE FLASHING CONTINUOUS WITHSMOKE SEAL

CONCRETE SLAB

FIRESEAL SUPPORT CLIPS

SUSPENDED CEILING



VIS

ION

SPA

ND

REL

VIS

ION

TRANSOMJOINT

STACKJOINT

EXP.

JOIN

T

DOUBLE GLAZING UNIT

FIRE RATED SEALANTON PERIMETER OFFIRESAFING

CONCRETE SLAB


SUSPENDED CEILING

VIS

ION

SPA

ND

REL

VIS

ION

TRANSOMJOINT

STACKJOINT

EXP.

JOIN

T

DOUBLE GLAZING UNIT

ALUMINIUM FOIL FACINGWITH FIRE RATEDSEALANT TO EDGES

CONCRETE SLAB


SUSPENDED CEILING



VIS

ION

SPA

ND

REL

VIS

ION

TRANSOMJOINT

STACKJOINT

EXP.

JOIN

T

DOUBLE GLAZING UNIT

CONCRETE SLAB


SUSPENDED CEILING







Please consult your local CSR Bradford Insulation office if your system varies to those above.




7

Fire TestingIn a joint investigation between CSR Bradford Insulation and

Permasteelisa (Aust), it was decided to carry out a full scale fire teston four different spandrel configurations at the CSIRO in Sydney,Australia.

The objective of the test was to investigate the integrity andinsulation properties of the CSR Bradford Fireseal™ Curtain WallSystem. Particularly the Spanseal™ and the Fireseal™ CurtainWall Batt connection and the ability of the facade system to inhibit fire spread from one level to the level above.

This would ensure that in the event of a fire there would beminimal impact to life and property.

The information provided below is summarised from the CSIRO report FSZ 0657 “Fire Resistance test on FacadeSeparation Systems.”

Method:

The testing was conducted in a three-storey tower representing three levels of rooms directly located above oneanother. A facade/spandrel wall system including window openings into each room was constructed on the outside of thetower including fully detailed connections and sealing systems.

The tower is of full brick construction with 150mm thickconcrete slabs. The lower floor lacked glazing to facilitate the passage of fire to the upper storeys. The second floor was fullyglazed.

The ground floor was filled with a wooden crib (F8 Oregon),simulating combustibles in a typical office. The fire load was calculated using AS 1530, “Methods for fire tests on buildingmaterials, components and structures, Part 4: Fire Resistance testsof elements of building construction - 1997 for a period of 30minutes. This standard time temperature curve is also equivalentto BS 476 and ISO 834 test regime and falls within the tolerancesof ASTM E119 and JIS A 1304 - 1994.

The crib was ignited using kerosene as an accelerant. Its rolewas to stimulate initial rapid temperature rise and ensure uniformignition characteristic of standard and flashover fires.

Equipment:

The temperature was monitored by 2mm diameter MIMSthermocouples.The thermocouples were placed on the ceiling ofthe ground floor, and on each of the insulation samples. Somemeasurements were taken on the glass panels.

On the second enclosed floor thermocouples were affixed onthe unexposed side of the window glazing.Thermocouples werealso fixed to the centre of the unexposed side of the spandrel panels on the foil. Thermocouples were also fixed to the unexposed face of the firesafing.

Smoke detectors were located on the first floor to determinethe time at which smoke levels reach a defined point characteristic of alarm activation. These were located just abovethe various joint systems and at ceiling level on the first floor.

A radiometer was located in front of the specimen and usedto measure the intensity of the radiant heat flux.

Insulation used:

Spandrel Insulation

Ground Floor

Panel SA1 contained 50mm thick 32kg/m3 CSR BradfordGlasswool.

Panel SB1 contained 50mm thick 35kg/m3 CSR BradfordPolyester.

First Floor

Panels SA2 and SB2 both contained 50mm thick 64kg/m3 CSRBradford Rockwool Spanseal™ boards.

Second Floor

Panel SA3 contained 50mm thick 64kg/m3 CSR BradfordRockwool Spanseal™ boards.

Panel SB3 contained 50mm thick 32kg/m3 CSR BradfordGlasswool.

Firesafing

The first floor area was safed off with 64kg/m3 CSR BradfordRockwool Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Batts. Each batt was 135mm indepth and compressed from 100mm thickness down to 75mm.

An intumescent sealant was applied to the perimeter of theunexposed face of the joint in panel SB2 and the slab.The otherjoint did not have any applied sealants.

Test Results

Observations:

2 minutes- Smoke is making its way into the crib, however it is not coming in through joints, but coming through side brackets.

4 minutes- Temperature in crib rises to 850°C. (See Fig.1)

5 minutes- Glass panel VB2 breaks.

6 minutes- Glass on the exposed face of panel SB2 breaks.

8 minutes- Insulation and integrity criteria exceeded for Polyester.

11 minutes- Insulation and integrity criteria exceeded for Glasswool.

12 minutes- Minor smoke is appearing throughthe joint interfaceson first floor.

21 minutes- Broken glass on the exposed faceof panel SA2 falls.

26 minutes- Exposed Glasswool spandrel temperature exceeds 1000°C,temperature on unexposed spandrel reaches 780°C.

28 minutes- Unexposed temperature on Polyester spandrel reaches 1050°C, as material further degrades.

30 minutes- Smoke is now coming from the field of the joint material, between panel SA2 and slab.Temperature incrib peaks at 1050°C.Temperature on unexposed faces of glass VA2 and VB2, 66°C and 112°C respectively.

8

Full Scale

1. Overall test setup

5. Spanseal™ boards still intact after test

6. Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Batt and Fireseal™ support clip showing little degradation

2. Wood crib prior to testing

Before

After

35 minutes- Rockwool Spanseal™ boards show little distress at peak of fire, with temperatures onunexposed faces of 57 and 100°C comparedto external crib temperature on ground floor ceiling of 850°C.

63 minutes- Temperature in crib drops from 350°C to 50°C as fuel is consumed.

71 minutes- Test terminated with no failure of rockwool products.

Conclusion:

By the end of the test neither firesafing joint nor spandrelhad exhibited a temperature rise of 180°C over the initial starttemperature (see Fig.2), which is the thermal failure criteria forjoints under AS1530.4-1995 nor did they fail integrity.All rockwool products in this test were independently testedand found to be non-combustible in terms of AS 1530.1.This would imply that they would be suitable as a fire-ratedbarrier in the event of fire.

It was determined that the other insulation materials usedin the spandrel/firesafing are not suitable for fire protection purposes due to their melting point temperatures being less than 850°C.

In summary, for effective fire protection the use of rockwool products satisfy these requirements and assist incompartmentalising the fire to the source of origin.

-Average Crib - Standard Curve Fig. 1 - CRIB TEMPERATURE

-Max- Fig. 2 - SPECIMEN TEMPERATUREOn joint panel SA2 (without sealant).CSR Bradford Rockwool 64 kg/m3

PANEL SA2

PANEL SB2

PANEL SA1

PANEL SB1

9

Fire Testing

3. At peak of fire 4. Rockwool still intact on first floor, remaining insulation has failed

During

OTHER FIRE TESTING

7. Effect of fire on bottom spandrels

8. Close-up of Spanseal™ Boards after fire

Fire stopping performance on FiresafingApart from the full scale fire test on the facade separation system,

individual testing was carried out on the Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Batt,in order to verify the performance of the product as a firesafing material.

Each gasket was 100mm wide compressed to 75mm, the heightwas 135mm and the length was 900mm. Under a rigorous testing program carried out at the CSIRO, the product was found to provide superior fire resistance levels, as described on page 12.

Based on this information an appraisal of the likely performance of this product with respect to the following codes BS 476, ISO834, ASTME 119 and JIS A 1304 was also granted by the CSIROdivision.

Appraisal FCO 1520 covered insulation, integrity, load bearingcapacity and resistance to collapse. It also provided a Fire Resistance Leveldependent on the thickness of Fireseal™ product chosen.

The provisions from the Department on these results are:

1. The Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Batt be compressed by at least 85% of its original thickness into the cavity of the curtain wall frame and the concrete slab.

2. The rockwool density should not be less than 60kg/m3.

3. The base material should be of Bradford Rockwool High Temperature (HT) composition.

Combustibility testing for Fireseal™ & Spanseal™ productsBradford Insulation Rockwool products have been found to be

non-combustible in accordance with AS 1530.1, BS 476.4, ISO 1182,JISA 1321.

These products have high melt temperatures in excess of 1150°Cand very little binder content (1-2%).

Non-combustibility is an important factor when selecting firesafing and spandrel panels because they do not add any additionalfuel to the fire.

For further information regarding the above refer to AppraisalFCO 1671 from the CSIRO.

Penetrations for services through slabsFire propagation is possible through penetrations in slabs that are

not effectively fire rated. In particular, inadequate firestopping aroundpipes is a major contributor in this regard. Bradford Insulation recommends that all metal pipes should be protected with compactedrockwool to fill these voids.

Appraisal FCO 1672 investigated the effects of rockwool inaccordance with AS 1530.4, BS 476, ISO 834, ASTME 119, and JIS A1304.

At least 20mm of compressed rockwool cover should be usedaround metal pipes for a concrete slab of at least 180mm in depth, toprovide an integrity value of up to 240 minutes.

Fire Resistance Level of Spanseal™ BoardsFire testing was also carried out on the spandrel wall (refer to

system FS001 on page 6) in order to investigate its Fire Resistance Level (FRL).

The tested specimen consisted of standard aluminium frames,6mm glass, 1.2mm Galvanised back pan, 50mm thick Spanseal™Boards and 13mm CSR Gyprock® Plasterboard.

The fire test was carried out in accordance with AS 1530.4 andwas found to provide an FRL 60/60/60.

The main advantage of this system is that it complies with theBuilding Code of Australia Clause 2.6, and alleviates the necessity formore expensive fire rated walls such as masonry.

NATA Registeredlaboratory showingtest setup

CSIRO officesin Sydney,Australia

10

Design CriteriaThe main function of a curtain wall is to provide an attractive architectural envelope which will enhance the aesthetic appearance of

the building and satisfy the following capability requirements for each country.

Select suitable system (p6) & product which meets the protection requirements of people & property in the event of fire.Bradford Rockwool is recommended as it meets the requirements of regional Building Fire Codes.Fire tests carried out under the supervision of CSIRO staff on a facade system displayed negligible damage to the rockwool products (refer to full scale fire test pp 7-9).

Bradford Rockwool has been found to enhance the acoustic performance of curtain wall systems by up to 8 STC points.Alone, or in combination with other selected materials, they offer solutions to problems involving both sound transmission & reverberation.

Select insulation products with appropriate thermal resistance.The different densities impact on the “U” value.Bradford Rockwool 50mm thick panels with suitable facings have been found to provide adequate thermal resistance to high rise buildings.Your mechanical engineering consultant will assist you in this choice.

Design with respect to dew point at insulation surfaces for expected atmospheric conditions. Bradford Insulation can assist with these calculations.Either foil facings or a backpan will provide suitable protection against water damage.

Select appropriate cladding which meets aesthetic requirements of client and governing bodies.

Prefabricated off site manufacture of cladding units have been found to save time and money through a total controlled environment.Disruptions to access and labour are kept to a minimum.

Design facade system which addresses long term weather protection of gaskets, sealants and mullions.Insulation should not be installed if wet. It is preferable to install sound, dry product into the spandrel so as not to compromise performance.

Observe Material Safety Data Sheet recommendations, which includes safe handling procedures and codes of practice (where applicable).

To avoid the possible effects of this marking the inside of the spandrel glass, it is advisable that all facings applied to rockwool should only becarried out at the Bradford factory. Staining/Blooming can result from the application of incorrect adhesives.

Criteria Action

Fire Protection

Noise Control

Thermal Performance

Condensation Control

Cladding selection

Installed costs

Weather Protection

Health and Safety

Staining/Blooming

Relevant Fire Codesby Country

India

Philippines

Taiwan

Vietnam

Hong Kong

Malaysia

Indonesia

New Zealand

Thailand

Singapore

Australia

China

Country Building & Regulatory Design Codes

Australia-New Zealand AS1530.1 Combustibility test AS1530.3 Early Fire Hazard test AS1530.4 Structural testBuilding Code of Australia

Burma-Cambodia-China-Hong Kong-Indonesia AS1530.1 Combustibility testKorea-Laos-Malaysia-Philippines-Singapore AS1530.3 Early Fire Hazard testSri Lanka-Taiwan-Thailand-Vietnam AS1530.4 Structural test

BS476.4 Non Combustibility testBS476.5 Test for ignitabilityBS476.6 Test for fire propagationBS476.7 Surface spread of flameBS476.20-22 Structural test fireASTME -119 Structural fire testJIS A1304, UL723 Surface burning characteristicsASTME-84ASTME-136 Non-combustibility

General ISO9002 International Quality Standard

Why Choose Rockwool?Bradford Rockwool is manufactured by melting rocks fluxed withrecycled blast furnace slag in a cupola at 1300°C. The resultingspun fibrous insulation product not only has excellent thermal andacoustic insulation properties but due to its high melting point (1150°C), rockwool has excellent fire resistance properties - wellin excess of the CSIRO recommendation.

Bradford Rockwool insulation is less likely to shrink and degradeduring a fire than other insulation products with low meltingpoints. This restricts the passage of fire and smoke into adjoiningcompartments providing more time for the arrival of fire fightingservices and the safe evacuation of the building.

Bradford Rockwool Insulation is inherently non-combustible anddoes not require the addition of expensive fire proof facings topass international non-combustibility fire tests. It does not add tothe fuel source of a fire.

Due to the higher density of Bradford Rockwool, special facings and high binder contents are not necessary to ensure theinsulation does not slump in the vertical spandrel over time thuscreating a potential hidden fire penetration gap.

CSR Bradford Insulation has offices all over Asia and morethan 60 years of experience serving the insulation needs of theregion. This guide is suitable for use but not limited in the following countries as a result of compliance with the followingbuilding design codes.

11

REQUIREMENTS FORAUSTRALIA

Building Code of Australia Clause 2.6Vertical separation of openings in external walls applies.

For type A construction buildings which do not have a sprinklersystem complying with Specification E1.5 any opening must beseparated by a spandrel which is-

i) not less than 900mm in height and

ii) extends not less than 600mm above the upper surface of theintervening floor and,

iii) is constructed of a non-combustible material having an FRLnot less than 60/60/60 (tested to AS 1530.1 & 1530.4), the construction which is to comply with the above must have any gaps packed with a non-combustible material that will withstand thermal expansion and structural movement of thewalling without loss of seal against fire and smoke.

For horizontal construction at floor level:

i) the external projections must not be less than 1100mm and

ii) extend along the wall not less than 450mm beyond the openings and

iii) be constructed from a non-combustible material with an FRL of not less than 60/60/60

It was determined through fire testing (AS1530.4) that systemFS001 meets the above requirements without the necessity toconstruct a masonry wall behind the curtain wall.

General Concessions for curtain walls and panel wallsA requirement for an external wall to have a FRL does not

apply to a curtain or panel wall which is of non-combustibleconstruction and fully protected by ‘automatic external wall-wetting sprinklers’.

Curtain wall design in Asia is heavily influenced by international specifications. The two key components being thespandrel and firesafing insulation.

For fire protection in high rise buildings, it is critical that thespecification nominate rockwool mineral fibres due to their highfusion temperature (greater 1150°C).

FiresafingIn order to impede the passage of smoke through the

firesafing it is necessary to install foil faced products as describedin the curtain wall fire systems section. This should be adequatelysealed at the perimeter of the concrete edge and frame by anapproved fire rated sealant such as Bostik Fireban One.

Unfaced firesafing provides a minimum smoke resistance of 30 minutes..

Most building codes and specifications in Asia, nominate atwo hour fire rating as a minimum requirement for fire protection between floors. Bradford Insulation has tested itsproducts at the CSIRO Fire Division (Sydney, Australia) to conform to these strict requirements.

The following codes, BS 476, ASTM E119, AS 1530, ISO834 and JIS A 1304 have all been satisfied for this application.

Further to the above the SIRIM laboratories (Malaysia) havealso approved Bradford Rockwool for;

- Non-combustibility BS 476 Part 4

- Fire Propagation BS 476 Part 6

- Surface Spread of Flame Part 7

- Incombustibility JIS A 1321

CSR Bradford Rockwool also complies with all Chinese firerequirement standards for insulation materials.

Spandrel InsulationRockwool spandrels have been performance tested on a full

scale test to simulate a multi-storey building fire. The depth ofspandrel investigated was 900mm and it has been found to provide superior protection against fire.

Rockwool is easily fitted into pre-assembled curtain wallunits. Depending on the design it is usual for the insulation tobe supported by a galvabond back pan in the spandrel. This provides rigidity to the system during erection. The direction ofthe back pan can vary depending on the type of facade chosen.Black tissue is usually applied on the exterior face of the insulation to camouflage its presence through the glass.

The insulation chosen is nominally 50mm thick in order to provide adequate fire, acoustic and thermal insulation. It is necessary to maintain a 25mm nominal air space between theinsulation and the spandrel glass.

The insulation should be sealed using a foil tape when facedwith foil. It is applied over the aluminium frame in order to prevent condensation in the cavity between the insulation andthe glass.

A sample specification is provided on page 14 for further information.

“Building with concrete ledge to prevent flame spread.”

REQUIREMENTS FOR ASIA

Design Requirementsfor Fire Protection

INTENT: To minimise the risk of fire spreading from one floor to another via openings in external walls or through penetrations in floor.

12

Bradford Spanseal™ and Fireseal™ products have a low content of organic binder and are deemed to be non-combustible insulation materials when tested to AS1530.1, BS476,or equivalent.

All Bradford Rockwool products have excellent early fire hazard indices, including resistance to spread of flame and development of smoke when tested to AS1530.3, ASTM E84,BS476.4-7.

AS1530.3 Part 3-1989 BS476.4-7Ignitability 0Spread of Flame 0Heat Evolved 0Smoke Developed 0

FIRE RESISTANCEA high level of fire resistance in insulation and other materials used

in multi-storey construction is essential to protect occupants onother levels and to limit the extent of damage to the building andsave lives.

Mineral fibre insulation produces negligible fumes when subject to fire conditions and are used successfully in one to fourhour rated fire protection systems which allow building occupantsto escape safely.

Bradford Rockwool Spanseal™ and Fireseal™ products provide high levels of fire resistance due to their low thermal diffusion and are able to withstand fire with only slow breakdownin physical properties when tested to AS 1530.4, BS 476,ASTM E119, JIS A 1304, ISO 834 or equivalent.

These products offer outstanding fire resistance for long periods making them suitable for fire sealing applications in curtain walls, party walls, fire dampers and pipe/cablepenetrations.

SMOKE CONTROLOnce a fire ignites, its spread rate is determined by the

supply of oxygen and available solids for conversion into a gaseousstate.

Combustion produces flame, heat, smoke and gases. Smoke isparticularly life-threatening because of its ability to disorientateoccupants and obscure visibility to safe exits.

Bradford Fireseal™ Curtain Wall Batts have been found to sealthe gap between the concrete edge and the curtain wall frame andprovide smoke resistance for up to 30 minutes.

For additional protection against smoke, these batts can bepurchased with a foil facing and sealed at the perimeter with anapproved fire rated sealant.

Service penetrations through the concrete slab must also besealed to prevent smoke ingress.

Noise ControlAll Bradford Rockwool products offer excellent sound

absorption properties. Alone, or in combination with other selected materials, they offer solutions to problems involving bothsound transmission and reverberation. It is recommended thatadvice from an acoustic consultant be sought for specific certified requirements. For further information please refer to the BradfordAcoustic Design and Application Guide. Up to 8 STC points canbe gained with the inclusion of rockwool insulation.

Thermal PerformanceGiven the limited nature of our resources and the rising

costs of energy, the focus for designers has shifted to reducingmaintenance and running costs of buildings.

Energy efficiency is now a principle consideration due to thebenefits that accrue to the owners, tenants and society as a whole.

Designing energy efficient buildings should involve but not belimited to the following key steps and recommendations.

1. Architect to nominate glass colour, type of panel and size.Structural Facade Engineer will determine thickness of glass and size of aluminium mullions.

2. Consulting Mechanical Engineer will use glass characteristicseg. shading co-efficient and U-values to determine internal building characteristics.

Normally the spandrel panel is limited to 50mm maximumwidth space available for curtain wall construction.

3. Appropriate CSR Bradford Rockwool can then be specifiedto provide optimum comfort levels for occupants due to higher thermal resistance (R-value 1.47m2k/w @ 50mm thick)

4. The designer should take into consideration that the ExternalGlass Reflectivity chosen should be less than 20% to protect against dangerous reflections.

5. It is recommended that a foil backing be used on insulation toprevent water vapour entering the internal space.

By following the above, considerable less energy will be consumed, resulting in cost savings. Facade performance will vary and is dependent on location, exposure, orientation and surrounding environment.

NON-COMBUSTIBILITY & FIRE INDICES

Results for Unfaced Rockwool

110 NA/30/30120 NA/60/60128 NA/90/90135 NA/120/120150 NA/180/180165 NA/240/240

Final Thickness of Bradford Rockwool

Fireseal Curtain Wall Batt.(mm)

Fire Resistance Level(mins)

(NA/Integrity/Insulation)

Condensation ControlDRY ENVIRONMENTS

In dry climates, such as Australia and New Zealand,condensation will occur on the inside surface of a room at anytime when the temperature of the surface is at, or below, the dewpoint of the air in contact with it.

The consequences of condensation vary with its severity, butthe most usual is the staining by dust and mould growth of wallsurfaces.

Condensation can be avoided by minimising the generation ofwater vapour in the internal air. However the inclusion of avapour barrier such as Bradford Thermofoil™ to the inside faceof the spandrel can provide the necessary protection by preventingwater vapour coming into contact with cold exterior surfaces.The external face of the insulation is normally treated with a blacktissue adhered to the surface for aesthetic reasons.

passed criteria in all

categories

Fire Resistant Level (mins)

60/06/60.

Spandrel Walls in theFireseal™ Curtain WallSystem using 50mm thickSpanseal™ Boards

13

Bradford Spanseal™ and Fireseal™ are resilient and light-weight, resulting in ease of handling and minimum accidentaldamage during installation.

Convenient standard, custom roll or sheet sizes are available ina wide range of thicknesses to ensure that the required total thickness of insulation may be quickly and economically installed.

Easy handling off site, particularly on scaffolding and in confined spaces around other trades, not only reduces labour costsbut also contributes to meeting completion dates.

Weather ProtectionIt is advisable that all design and construction is carried out by

certified facade engineers and curtain wall fabricators with aproven track record.

SIROWET testing AS/NZS4284 simulates the performance offacades to rain and pressure prior to delivery to site. Some curtainwall manufacturers eg. Permasteelisa (Aust) have accredited testingfacilities in-house.

If the insulation becomes wet, R-values may be reduced. Allmodifications can be made easily off site.

Health & SafetyBradford Rockwool and Glasswool products have been

widely used in industry worldwide for many generations. Thereis no evidence to demonstrate any long term health effects fromthese products when used in accordance with the simple procedures of the National WorkSafe Standard and Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Synthetic Mineral Fibres 1990,(Reprinted with Amendments 1994), or equivalent local requirements.

Full health and safety information is provided in the Bradford Material Safety Data Sheets. Please contact your localsales office for further details.

This is a relatively rare phenomenon, however it requires discussion for the purpose of awareness.

It has been reported that in hot, humid climates concernshave been raised regarding the possibility of volatile componentsevaporating out of adhesives used to bond tissue or foil to theinsulation material. The result being that small deposits accumulate on the back of the glass spandrel and become unsightly. This is apparently more noticeable in clear or lightlytinted glass.

To our knowledge this phenomenon has occurred as a resultof facings applied to insulation post factory by unqualified subcontractors. Incorrect adhesives and application rates being themain reason for this problem.

To guarantee a quality product on your next curtain wallproject always specify CSR Bradford Insulation, factory appliedfacings prior to leaving the factory. CSR Bradford Insulation willnot be held responsible for any loss not in accordance with thisadvice.

Staining & Blooming

ALUMINIUM COMPOSITE PANELComposite panels are sometimes used in the spandrel section

of a curtain wall in lieu of glass. They provide an attractive featureto complement the glass walling.

Alpolic™,Alucobond™ and Symonite™ are the most commonbrand names. Approach manufacturers individually for productadvice and certification.

GLASSThe options for glazing include either toughened, heat

strengthened or laminated glass. These types of glass resist hightemperature differences experienced in spandrel glazing and lowerthe risk of breakage from solar heating.

As an example, Pilkington™ Toughened glass also allows forlarge clear spans with minimum fixings. It is generally found tohave up to five times the strength of ordinary glass and can be abuilding ordinance requirement.

Double glazed units are popular in Australia and Asia becauseof their superior thermal and acoustic performance. The thicknessof insulation and density required is dependent on the type of glassspecified.

GRANITESome authorities recommend a material other than glass be

used for aesthetic reasons. Granite can now be prefabricated inthe assembly units off site for easier installation. It is normally hardwearing and can further enhance the appearance of buildings.Panels can be up to 40mm in thickness weighing up to 3 tonnes.

CSR FIBRE CEMENTCSR Fibre Cement Cladding Sheets are fibrous cement based

and are used on low rise commercial/industrial buildings as amore economical alternative to aluminium and granite.

Please refer to CSR Fibre Cement product guides for technicalinformation.

Cladding Selection

Installed CostInsulation materials should be selected by considering the

total installed cost. Influencing factors include material purchase costs, installation labour costs and cost of materials damaged during handling and installation.

HUMID ENVIRONMENTSIn the humid climates of South East Asia, the vapour barrier

is normally placed on the external face closest to the heat source.This will prevent the hot, humid external atmosphere from coming into contact with the colder internal air conditioned surfaces and result in condensation.

Please contact your local Bradford Insulation office for assistance with dew point calculations.

14

APPENDIX A:Common Questions and AnswersQuestion 1

Which insulation type is most suitable for Fire Protection in curtainwalling?

Answer 1

CSR Bradford Rockwool products should only be used for FireProtection purposes because of their ability to withstand elevated temperatures.They have a fusion temperature in excess of 1150°C, and arenon-combustible.

Question 2

Why is Glasswool and Polyester not suitable for Fire Protection?

Answer 2

Because of their inability to withstand elevated temperatures associatedwith a fire. Glasswool has a melt temperature of 700°C, and Polyester isonly rated at 160°C with a melt point of 250°C.

Question 3

Why are spandrels insulated?

Answer 3

Spandrels are insulated for three reasons namely, Fire Protection,ThermalResistance and Noise Control.

Question 4

Why is firesafing necessary?

Answer 4

Firesafing is placed between the cavity of the concrete slab and the curtainwall which occurs naturally. It is necessary to install firesafing in order toimpede the passage of flames and smoke to other unaffected areas.

Question 5

Do I require a masonry wall or fire rated stud wall behind the curtain wall?

Answer 5

No, when Bradford Rockwool Spanseal™ Boards are specified into thecurtain wall system it is not necessary to construct an additional masonryor fire rated stud wall behind in order to achieve an FRL 60/60/60.

Conventional 13mm CSR Gyprock® Plasterboard can be applied as theinternal finish over the curtain wall .

Question 6

Why is spandrel insulation faced with foil?

Answer 6

Insulation is faced to prevent the ingress of moisture into boards or blankets and condensing on cold surfaces. This is due to moisture from airconditioning systems and external conditions.

Question 7

What is blooming and how can it be avoided?

Answer 7

Blooming, are small deposits which can occur on the inside face of theglass. These deposits cause discolouration and are impossible to clean ifthey occur in the spandrel glass area. Inappropriate adhesives used for facing have been responsible for this problem in the past. There is also atendency for it to occur in very hot climates from volatiles escaping fromincorrect binders in the glasswool or rockwool. CSR Bradford productshave been specifically formulated to counter this problem that occurs insome types of insulation.

Sample SpecificationFire Stop Insulation

a) Fire stop insulation must be installed continuously at all exteriorcladding beam/column edge separations around the completeperimeter of each floor and at the roof line.

b) Material shall be CSR Bradford Insulation Fireseal™ Curtain WallBatts 64kg/m3and shall be compressed by 15% of original thickness.

c) Minimum thickness of the fire safing shall be 135mm from top tobottom.

d) Product shall provide a minimum of two (2) hours of fire resisting period.

e) Installation and support of the fire safing material shall be in full conformance with the written recommendations of the manufacturer.

f) The firesafing shall be installed in conjunction with a smoke seal of:

• Continuous galvanised steel sheet 1.2mm thick sealed to backpan and floor slab.

Thermal Insulation & Fire Protectiona) Insulate spandrel glass and other non-vision areas of the Exterior

Cladding system with CSR Bradford Rockwool Spanseal™ Boards.For Australia, the Curtain Wall Spandrel insulation must be tested in accordance with AS 1530.4 and have achieved an FRL 60/60/60.

b) Thickness of thermal insulation shall be 50mm (2.0 inch) minimum.

c) Maximum U-vale for insulation shall be 0.12 imperial (0.68 metric).

d) The insulation shall be 64kg/m3 (4pcf), and a melt point in excess of1,093°C (2,000°F)

e) Thermal insulation shall be installed so as to prevent the formation ofcondensation within the spandrel cavity. The Subcontractor shall submit dew point calculations and diagrams to the Architect forendorsement.

f) In the event there is no metal vapour retarder panel, the insulationshall have an integral CSR Thermofoil reinforced aluminium foilbacking factory applied to the outboard face (Asia) of the insulationand all joints shall be taped with approved CSR Thermofoil tape andhave a positive means of retaining this tape if the adhesive fails.

g) Exposed to view insulation shall be black tissue. (Architect to verify)

h) Use fixing methods which ensure the long term integrity of the insulation without collapse or dislodgement. Fixing methods may include direct stapling, mesh or stapled nylon twine, stretched tightover the insulation at not less than 200mm spacing in both directions.

Delivery, Storage and Handlinga) Deliver CSR Bradford Insulation materials in their original

unopened package and store in location providing protection fromdamage and exposure to elements.

b) Damaged or deteriorated materials shall be removed from site.

Field Inspectiona) Approved installation instructions shall be present at each work area

prior to beginning of work and test installation shall be produced forquality check by Architect.

b) Test installation shall be subject to inspection and test for conformance with contract requirements.

c) Periodic quality checks shall be performed at discretion of Architect,and should installation prove to be substandard, all firestoppinginstalled up to that time not meeting approved standards shall bereplaced.

d) Area of work shall remain available for inspection by Architect before and after application of firestopping. Work may be covered immediately after inspection if acceptable.

e) Under no circumstances shall insulation become wet. Carefully protect each section or work.

Clean-up and acceptance of worka) As work on each floor is completed, remove materials, litter and

debris.

b) All work shall be inspected and approved by Architect before materials and equipment are moved to next scheduled work area.

c) Final clean-up. On completion of work, remove debris, excess materials, and equipment from job site. Repair damage caused by work, clean exposed surfaces soiled by work and leave work ready forinspection.

Description Thickness Thermal Resistance(R-value)

FIRE RATED BOARDSSpanseal ™ 50mm R1.470.034 W/mK @ 20°C 75mm R2.21

100mm R2.94

Where Thermofoil™ is used on one (or both) facesand an airspace is present:Vertical reflective airspace 20mm R0.58*Vertical reflective airspace >20mm R0.61**AIRAH Handbook ~ 1989

15

APPENDIX B:

Asia Pacific Curtain Wall ProjectReferences

Project Description Contractor/Designer

CHINABeijing China Industrial and Commercial Bank Building Hyundai Corp

GuangZhou Citic Plaza Dennis Lau & Ng Ghun Man Architects and Engineers

Beijing Oriental Plaza P & T Architects and Engineers

THAILANDEmpire Tower Joint Venture between Flour City

and Kasion F:C Co U.P Design Co

Thai Farmer Bank Head Office Permasteelisa Design 103 co., LtdPornpat Building Builder Federal (Thailand) Co.

SINGAPOREPost Office Saving Bank Building Permasteelisa

Kranji Turf Club PD Manufacturing

Tuas Check Point Lam Hong Leong

MALAYSIAKuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) Harmont Contracts Asia SDN Bhd

Sanjungmas (M) Sdn Bhd

Telekom HQ

Vision City (Wawasan City) Luckson Metal (M) Sdn Bhd

Menara AIA Luckson Metal (M) Sdn Bhd

HONG KONGCheung Kong Centre Ove Arup & Partners

Hong Kong Bank Centre (Olympus Station) P&T Architects and Engineers

International Finance Centre (Airport Terminus) Ove Arup & Partners

Centre Plaza Ng Chun Man & Associates

TAIWANFar Eastern Plaza,

Taipei Tajima Metalwork (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.

China Trust Building,

Taipei CRJ Metalwork Co., Ltd.

Nan-Kang Software Park,

Taipei San Zhen Industry Co., Ltd

Kaohsiung Duties Building,

Kaohsiung Pan Asia Engineering Ltd.

Taichung Grand Formosa Hotel,

Taichung Permasteelisa (Taiwan) Pty., Ltd.

AUSTRALIAMaritime Services Building, Leightons Builders/O'Brien Glass Sydney and Peddle Thorp and Walker

Architects

400 George Street, Sydney Grocon Builders/Permasteelisa/Crone & Assoc Architects

88 Phillip Street, Sydney Civil & Civic/Permasteelisa/Renzo Piano Architects

Central Plaza Towers Permasteelisa

99 Walker Street, North Sydney Girvan Builders and Ng & Baker Architects

10 Valentine Ave, Parramatta Timalco/Girvan and Rice Daubney Architects

Melbourne Central Kumagai Gumi/Victoria CentralCasino Hotel Towers, Melbourne Denton Corker Marshall Architects

Permasteelisa

APPENDIX C:

Terminology

Thermal Conductivity K (W/m°K): Time rate of heat flow per unit area and unit thickness of a homogeneous material under steady state conditions when unit temperature gradient is maintained in the direction perpendicular to the area.

Thermal Resistance R (m2°K/W): The thickness of the specimen(metres) divided by the thermal conductivity.

Thermal Conductance U (W/m2°K): Reciprocal of Thermal Resistance.

Curtain Wall Facade: Outside skin or shell of a building that is supportedoff each individual slab level. It is usually constructed from glass and isnon-load bearing.

Spandrel Insulation: Solid wall element below window sill, fitted withinsulation.

Firesafing: Rockwool mineral fibre installed to cavity between edge offloor and curtain wall frame to impede smoke and flame.

Dewpoint: Temperature at which a sample of air with given water vapourcontent becomes saturated when cooled at constant pressure.

SIROWET Testing: Now an Australian Standard, this is a controlled fieldtest to determine the water resistance of gaskets and seals to a curtain wallfacade.

Sound Transmission Class (STC): Is a single number used to rate the effec-tiveness of a system as a noise insulator. The greater the STC number thebetter the system.

Fire Resistance Level (FRL): This is a measure of the effectiveness of thesystem to prevent the ingress of fire. It is usually classified in terms ofstructural adequacy, integrity and insulation in minutes.

DisclaimerThe information presented herein is supplied in good faith and to the best of

our knowledge was accurate at the time of publication. Users are advised to maketheir own determination as to the suitability of this information in relation to theirparticular purpose and specific requirements.

Subject to the conditions in Sec.68A of the Trade Practices Act, applying inAustralia, our liability is expressly limited to the replacement of defective goods.

We shall not be liable for incidental or consequential damages, directly or indirectly sustained, nor for any loss caused by application of these goods not inaccordance with written advice.

CSR Building Solutions Web Site:www.csr.com.au

Manufacturing Facilities.CSR Bradford Insulation is the leading insulation manufacturer in Australia and Asia with

manufacturing facilities located throughout the region

Health and Safety InformationInformation on any known health risks of our products and how to handle them safely is displayed on the packaging and/or the documentation accompanying them.Additional information is listed in the

products Material Safety Data Sheet available from your local Bradford office.

Warranty.CSR Limited warrants its Bradford Insulation products to be free of defects in materials and

manufacture. If a CSR product does not meet our standard, we will, at our option, replace or repair it,supply an equivalent product, or pay for doing one of these.This warranty excludes all other

warranties and liability for damage in connection with defects in our products, other than thoseimposed by legislation.

Published by CSR Bradford Insulation, CSR Limited A.C.N.000 001 276 Printed: June 1999

Sales Offices.

AustraliaGlasswool factory, Ingleburn NSW

Rockwool factory, Clayton VICThermofoil factory, Dandenong VICPolystyrene factory,Auburn NSW

AsiaGlasswool factory, Zhuhai, China

Rockwool factory, Dongguan, ChinaRockwool factory, Rayong,Thailand

Rockwool factory, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaFlexible Duct factory, Singapore

State Phone FaxHead Office 61 2 9765 7100 61 2 9765 7029

NSW (02) 9765 7100 (02) 9765 7052ACT (02) 6239 2611 (02) 6239 3305VIC (03) 9265 4000 (03) 9265 4111TAS (03) 6272 5677 (03) 6272 2387

QLD (07) 3212 6400 (07) 3212 6456SA (08) 8344 0640 (08) 8344 0644

NT (08) 8984 4070 (08) 8947 0034WA (08) 9365 1666 (08) 9365 1655

Country Phone FaxNew Zealand 64 9579 9059 64 9579 3040

Hong Kong 852 2754 0877 852 2758 2005China-Glasswool 86 756 551 1448 86 756 551 1449

China-Rockwool 86 769 611 1401 86 769 611 2900Thailand 66 2 736 0924 66 2 736 0934Malaysia 60 3 341 3444 60 3 341 5779

Singapore 65 861 4722 65 862 3533Taiwan 886 22 796 3266 886 22 791 5262

Australia International

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