Passive fire protection for smoke extract and ventilation ducts.

Where HVAC ducts penetrate through fire compartmentation walls and floors, tested fire-resistant mineral wool insulation solutions can be an effective way to reinstate the fire performance. Fire resistant ductwork systems are designed to maintain integrity, resist spread of flames and smoke and minimise heat transfer.

Take a closer look at fire-resistant ductwork

Adding Passive Fire Protection insulation solutions, such as the Isover U Protect System, to steel ductwork is often the most suitable solution for ensuring the fire safety and integrity of ventilation and smoke extraction ducts throughout a building. Let’s look at the core benefits.

Fire resistance

The Isover U Protect System is tested to BS EN 1366-1 and BS EN 1366-8 and assessed to EAD 350142-00-1106 under ETA 18/0691. It offers up to 120 minutes passive fire protection for smoke extract and ventilation ductwork.

Maintain Integrity

Preventing the collapse of ductwork during a fire is critical for limiting fire spread across compartments and giving occupants of the building time to exit safely. Fire-resistant insulation, such as the U Protect System, is tested to ensure it maintains structural integrity and minimise heat transfer, thereby meeting necessary fire safety performance requirements in Approved Document B.

A system that performs

The Isover U Protect System made from mineral wool doesn’t just provide fire resistance - it also has a proven thermal performance (0.035 W/m.K at 50 °C for both Wired Mats and Slabs), plus offers a lighter weight solution compared to traditional stone wool options. U Protect Slabs and Wired Mats have a typical density of 40 kg/m3 compared to between 60 kg/m3 and 100 kg/m3 for stone wool. This makes the system easier to handle as well as reducing the stress on supporting substructures.

Full system solution

To achieve the required fire performance, the Isover U Protect Slabs and Wired Mats must be installed as they were tested – as a full system. This means using all specified components: Isover Protect Black Tape, BSK glue, BSF intumescent paint, and FireProtect screws.

Isover offers fire-resistant slab and wired mat insulation options for rectangular and circular ductwork designed to help maintain the integrity of ventilation and smoke extract systems in the event of a fire.

Get to know our insulation solutions suitable for up to two hours passive fire protection with these articles written by our development teams and insulation specialists.