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Structural Protection

Very large residential and commercial structures, including logistical warehouses, data centres and high-rise buildings, are becoming increasingly common in cities and towns all over the world.

At the same time, the risk of fire in these buildings continues to be a cause for global concern1Compared to the 1950s, fires in modern structures can develop much, much faster – as the combustible load in buildings is now much higher.

ROCKWOOL structural protection products are designed, engineered and tested to keep steel and concrete – two of the most popular materials for large constructions – protected against fire.

The stone wool used at the heart of every ROCKWOOL product is a natural fire barrier2, while our dedicated fire range is especially designed to maximise this protection.

This can make the difference between a building containing a fire, to being on fire itself.

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Why do we need structural protection?

Steel and concrete structures require the utmost standards of protection against the risk of fire, for the safety of their occupants as well as the surrounding buildings and people.

Steel is a sturdy and stable material, but at temperatures above 500°C it loses its structural integrity. As the backbone of a building, exposure to temperatures this high could cause the building to collapse. A normal fire in a building can initiate temperature rises from 20 to 800°C in minutes.

The safety of a building’s occupants is paramount in case of fire, and every second counts. By adopting adequate fire protection, it’s possible to hold off structural disintegration, buying more time to rescue those inside.

Maintaining the structure of a building during the event is also important. By containing the fire before it causes collapse, the building and its surroundings can be saved.

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Effective structural protection can prevent a building from suffering severe damage, or even collapsing. Its ability to safeguard human lives, meanwhile, is invaluable. 

When it comes to fire safety in large buildings, there is no one-size-fits-all approach for achieving the right quantities.

We have detailed fire resistance and application reports that outline what’s needed for a particular build to provide the most effective protection. Contact your local offices for more information.

For more details on technical specifications, visit our ROCKSPEC Specification Toolkit.

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Our fire resistance solutions will significantly reduce the risk that there is not enough time for occupants to leave the building. Not only by preventing the spread of a fire, but also by not producing any kind of toxic gasses – as smoke inhalation is the most common cause of death in house and building fires. They also allow the fire brigade to control the fire without the building collapsing, as we can offer increased fire safety of up to 180 minutes.

Rob Kooiker

ROCKWOOL Group Product Manager

Case studies

The Eibsee Cable Car Station takes half a million visitors per year to the top of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. In operation since 1963, plans to renovate finally culminated in an extensive project in 2017.

The challenge

At 2,950m in altitude, a solution was sought that would answer the challenge of transporting and installing the right materials. Protecting this steel construction from the potentially devastating effects of fire at this height was crucial.

The solution

Non-flammable ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation boards were installed in an area of 1,200 square metres. They were delivered by cable car up the mountain and unloaded by cranes. Their lightweight nature made fitting boards overhead a much simpler process, while their fire resilient properties made them the perfect choice for preventing the spread of flames.

The results

The new and improved station is now capable of better protection against fire than ever before. Its stone wool insulation will last the lifetime of the build.

Case Study, ROCK Zugspitze
It was necessary to choose a material that could be easily and precisely adjusted on site. The original idea of using spray plaster would simply not have been possible due to the number of visitors in the station during installation.

Thomas Urbaniak

Installer at Fink Isoliertechnik GmbH

Sustainability and energy efficiency

ROCKWOOL products are an innovative way to contribute to safer cities. Stone is one of the world’s most abundant resources, and we use its natural properties to create fire-resilient, safe and sustainable products. Stone wool lasts the lifetime of a building, and can be recycled and put to further use5.

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Financial support

Financial support for fire safety renovations in the form of tax incentives or local grants may be available in your region. Contact your local offices for more information.

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FAQs

What is fire stopping?
Are ROCKWOOL products non-combustible?
What is the melting point of stone wool?