• Non-combustible insulation for chimneys and chimneys. Types and characteristics of non-combustible thermal insulation Fire insulation

Isovent ® is a combined fire retardant coating based on basalt rolled material laminated with aluminum foil and PVK-2002 adhesive composition. At the request of the customer, the material is laminatedaluminum foil, polyester reinforced aluminum foil or other type of covering material (metal mesh, glass, basalt or silica fabrics, etc.).

Fire resistance and coating thickness

Limit
fire resistance
Thickness
coatings, mm
Layer thickness
PVC-2002, mm
Consumption PVK-2002
for 1 m² of surface, kg
EI 305 0,45 0,60
EI 6010 0,45
EI 9013 0,45

0,60

EI 15016 2 2,05
EI 18050 2,5 3,05
Application

Isovent ® is used for fire protection of air ducts in ventilation and smoke exhaust systems.



Ease

Basalt fire-retardant material Isovent ® has a low density, as a result of which it provides a minimum load on the air ducts.

Environmental friendliness

Isovent ® is non-toxic and does not form toxic compounds with other substances. Does not contain phenol-formaldehyde resins.

"3 in 1"

Fireproof material Isovent ® provides the air duct with additional heat and sound insulation.

Durability

The service life of the fire-retardant material Isovent ® is comparable to the service life of an air duct.

Installation

The adhesive composition PVC-2002 is applied to the air ducts. A basalt roll material is applied to the wet layer of the composition and wrapped around the air duct. At the joints, the material is overlapped with an overlap of at least 50 mm. The edges of the roll material are fixed with aluminum tape.

Elements of fastening air ducts to enclosing structures (studs, brackets) are also protected with Isovent ® material.

You will find a more detailed description of the work in the Technological Regulations.

Parameters Limit
fire resistance
Values
Roll length, mm EI30; EI 60; EI 90
EI180
20000±100
6000±100
Roll width, mm, no more EI30; EI 60; EI 90; EI180 1000±20
Mat thickness, mm

EI30; EI 60; EI 90
EI180

30
Bond strength of PVC-2002 adhesive composition with base, MPa, not less than EI30; EI 60; EI 90; EI180 0,10

In construction, there is a special type of objects that require increased ignition protection factors. These include medical buildings, children's institutions, industrial buildings. In the private sector, more and more people are trying to make their homes not only warm, but also safe. Non-combustible thermal insulation is ideal for this.

fire retardant material

Types and features of non-combustible heaters

There is a large selection of refractory materials, of which the following can be distinguished:

Mineral wool

The most popular type of insulation with high refractory qualities. Produced from metal slags and residual production of mountain steams. Has a fibrous structure. Available in mats, rolls, plates. There are several varieties of this product:

  • Slag. Produced from the remains of blast-furnace slag, which turn into a long fibrous material with a thickness of 0.05 mm. The fibers are treated with a binder and formed into plates. Differs in high coefficient of heat saving and low sound conductivity. Resistant to temperatures over 300 degrees.

Slag boards
  • glass fibre. Its characteristics directly depend on the chemical composition. Increased resistance to high temperature has a continuous glass fiber made of quartz alkali-free glass.
  • . Thermal insulation material obtained from silicate and volcanic rocks with the addition of basalt chips. It has excellent heat saving characteristics, as well as an increased fire resistance coefficient. Produced in the form of cylinders or plates.

Stone wool in slabs
  • Basalt. Greyish-beige needle fiber made from mineral threads. She took her excellent properties from basalt rock. It is non-flammable. Resistant even to direct fire. It is not liked by rodents and microorganisms. It has excellent water repellency.

These characteristics allowed mineral wool to become one of the most popular heaters in places with an increased risk of fire.

Expanded clay

Loose, environmentally friendly insulation, made by foaming clay rocks. It is one of the most popular heaters for buildings for various purposes. It looks like small granules. Thermal conductivity indicators depend on the density of the bubbles inside. It is a fireproof material.


Placer expanded clay coarse fraction

The positive aspects of this heater also include:

  • Strength. This figure varies by brand. For gravel, the density will be 2.5 MPa, for crushed stone -1.6 MPa.
  • Good thermal conductivity. The coefficient varies from 0.1 to 0.18 W/m.
  • Moisture absorption.
  • Soundproofing. Good absorption of sounds and vibrations makes it an excellent wall insulation.
  • Fire resistance. The material is made by firing, so it is not afraid of high temperatures. It does not melt or ignite.

Separately, foam glass stands out among non-combustible heaters. This modern thermal insulation material hit the construction market quite recently. It is obtained by foaming silicate glass and coal with the addition of acetone. In European countries, the material has long become a recognized leader among refractory heat insulators.

Foam glass

In the features of a material, you can also record its resistance to temperature extremes. Foam glass has high technical characteristics, which practically do not change over time.

It is produced in plates and in the form of bulk material (fine crumbs). Socals, foundations, building facades and internal walls are insulated with foam glass blocks. The crumb is used as bulk insulator for old roofs and for pipe insulation.


Block foam glass

The positive qualities of this material can also be added:

  • Long service life. Manufacturers claim that it can last up to 100 years.
  • He is not afraid of either sudden changes in temperature or bad weather conditions.
  • Strength. It is not subject to deformation, retains its qualities under any conditions.
  • Well absorbs sounds and vibration. A block of foam glass is able to drown out the rumble of a tractor engine.
  • Refractory. It practically does not burn. Able to tolerate temperatures over 250 degrees. At a higher temperature, it melts, but it does not emit harmful substances.
  • Does not attract rodents, will not become a breeding ground for fungus and mold.

It also has some disadvantages:

  • High price. This material is considered the most expensive of all heaters. This is explained by the complexity of production, which requires large energy costs.
  • Low resistance to mechanical stress. On impact or compression, the granules crack.

There are no special requirements for the choice of this insulation, since it has recently appeared on the market and is not widely used. However, there are some recommendations that you should heed:

  • Before buying, try to accurately calculate the amount of material. The calculation is carried out taking into account the upper dew point. It should be located inside the formation, and the adjacent wall should not cool below 4-5 degrees. Then there will be no condensation.
  • Carefully study the structure of foam glass blocks. It should be homogeneous, and the plates themselves should be the same size.
  • Buy products from foreign manufacturers, as Russian production is poorly established.

Perlite

A unique, lightweight insulation made from glass-like volcanic rock. The production technology takes place with strong heating of raw materials. During heat treatment, it swells and increases in size. This gives perlite excellent insulating characteristics.


Loose perlite

The material is famous for a number of special positive qualities:

  • Ease. The special foamy structure allows it to be used in metal and wooden structures without weighing them down.
  • Resistance to high temperatures makes it possible to use it as insulation for pipes or roofs.
  • Due to its fine-grained structure, it fits tightly and fills all the cracks and cavities, therefore it is ideal for warming old attic spaces.
  • Due to its resistance to high temperatures, it is perfect for installing underfloor heating.

Note that perlite does not absorb moisture well, has low vapor permeability, so it should not be used in places with high humidity. The disadvantages also include the complexity of carrying out work associated with the release of aluminum dust when laying this insulation. Therefore, a respirator and special clothing are required.

The material is produced in the form of plates, dry mix and sand. On sale you can find a special roofing variety, which is called bitumen perlite. The material is highly flexible, capable of covering structures of various shapes.

Vermiculite

The development of new technologies has made it possible to create a modern insulation called vermiculite. For its production, hydromica is used, which is heated to a temperature of 500-1000 degrees, causing rock stratification. Thanks to the expansion technology, the volume of raw materials obtained is increased by 20 times. The product is produced in the form of pressed plates and dry heat filler.


Bulk vermiculite

Expanded vermiculite has a porous base, so its weight is small. Also, the material has the following technical characteristics:

  • The thermal conductivity coefficient ranges from 0.05 to 0.09 W/m*K.
  • The melting point starts at 1300 degrees. This quality can be attributed to refractory heaters.
  • It has high hardness and durability due to the properties of mica.
  • It has good sound and thermal conductivity.
  • Long service life. The manufacturer claims a service life of more than 80 years.
  • The material does not rot, does not decompose, is not interesting for rodents and mold, does not enter into chemical reactions with alkaline and acidic substances.

Thanks to these qualities, vermiculite is widely used as a heater for walls and floors. This natural material is relatively cheap. The most expensive are slabs or blocks. The price of one plate is about 1700 rubles. The cost of a cubic meter of dry filling starts from 6 thousand rubles.

Given the many varieties of refractory heat-insulating material, the question arises about the selection criteria.

  • One of the main criteria for buyers is the price. Expanded clay is also the cheapest.
  • Since the emphasis is on fire resistance, carefully read the packaging, which indicates all the technical characteristics of the material, including flammability.
  • For insulation, an important criterion is thermal insulation. For walls and floors, this figure should not be higher than 0.08 W / m.
  • It is also worth considering the region of residence. The more severe the winters, the higher the thermal conductivity coefficient should be.
  • Pay attention to vapor permeability and water absorption. From these indicators depends on how much condensate will be collected.

Fire retardant coating is used to prevent fire from entering the ventilation system and the subsequent spread of combustion products throughout the building.

Ventilation that entangles any building (from a small apartment to a huge factory) can spread combustion products in a matter of minutes, exacerbating the situation. Fire retardant duct systems are used to help contain a fire.

Which areas need protection first?

Premises in which it is necessary to install fire protection of air ducts is, first of all:

  1. Warehouses for fuels, lubricants and flammable materials.
  2. Crowded places: office buildings, business centers, residential apartment buildings, shopping centers.
  3. Buildings with high temperatures: baths, saunas, boiler rooms.

The ventilation system, which conducts air through the floors, has several compartments with valves and upholstered with fireproof materials. In this way, isolation of each individual room is achieved.

Cover with insulating materials required pipes for ventilation, air conditioning and smoke exhaust systems. The latter are made to remove smoke from the building, so they need increased protection.

Why do you need fire protection for air ducts?

According to statistics, during a fire, the greatest harm to people is caused by smoke, not fire.

Since air conditioning and ventilation are an integral part of any room, they become extremely dangerous during a fire, as they quickly spread smoke. The fire protection of blowers is primarily designed to delay the time for combustion products to enter the ventilation.

Its second purpose is to isolate the fire so that it "suffocates" without receiving the necessary oxygen. The third is smoke removal, the removal of combustible gases from the room.

The material covering the ventilation ducts from the outside foams during excessive heating, thereby creating additional thermal insulation. Fire-retardant plaster, impregnation for fabric coatings, special paint are common. These materials are intended to provide fire protection for finishing materials, which tend to be highly flammable and give off toxic smoke.

Rules and regulations for the operation of fire protection of air ducts

The set of rules established by the legislative act SP 7.13130 ​​of 2013 on fire safety equipment governs the installation of ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems.

When laying ventilation systems, it is allowed to use only non-combustible insulating and facing materials "A" class. Within one fire compartment, fire-retardant class B materials can be used. "B1" - semi-fire-resistant materials are allowed for use in air ducts that do not pass:

  • through ceilings (including suspended ones) and walls;
  • in corridors and escape routes.

According to these rules, the ventilation system, in addition to the fireproof coating, must have: air locks, fire dampers. According to the technical regulations for fire safety, fire protection must withstand heating during the evacuation time. For each individual case, a certain time interval is calculated.

Materials must be certified according to fire resistance standards. The fire resistance of a structure is determined by the time from the onset of excessive heating until the destruction of the surface. The fire protection material must withstand temperatures up to 1000º, considering the average temperature of a fire in a room of 850º.

The use of sheet perlite-phosphogel, asbestos-cement, gypsum fiber, gypsum board, basalt slabs, special spraying and fire-retardant paint coating increases the time of ultimate fire resistance up to 240 minutes. According to the regulations, this time cannot be less than 150 minutes.

Methods and materials for protection

Now let's figure out what means can be used for fire protection:

  1. Basal protection.
  2. Fire retardant paint.
  3. sprayed material.

Let's look at each option in more detail below.

Balsat fire protection of air ducts

Basalt is a substance of volcanic origin, which includes impurities of iron, calcium, magnesium and 47% silicon dioxide. It is thanks to silica that basalt is widely used as a fire protection. When exposed to high temperatures, the material does not lose its shape, solid properties and does not emit hazardous substances.

Basalt fiber, which is used to insulate pipes from fires, is created from the original rock without the participation of extraneous additives that reduce its natural properties.

The most popular and reliable brands are:

  1. Rockwool (Wired Mat). Hydrophobized heat-insulating boards, light and rigid, are produced in rolls. Size of 1 roll: 800x600x50 mm.
  2. Pro Vent. Roll dimensions: 10000x1000-1200x20-80. There are options for one-sided lining: foil, reinforced foil, glass, basalt, silicon fabric, metal mesh.
  3. TIZOL. Roll sizes: 1000-1200x500-600x40-200. Laminated with fiberglass and foil. The price is on average from 326 rubles / m².
  4. Buffalo. Roll size: 6000x1000x20-80. The material can be lined with basalt, silicon, glass, aluminum foil, metal mesh. Price from 200 rubles / m².
  5. MBF. The maximum roll length is 31000x1000-1500x5-20. The material has a foil coating. Price from 320 rubles / m².

Advantages of using basalt fire protection:

  • comparative cheapness;
  • high degree of protection;
  • non-toxicity;
  • incombustibility.

The main downside is requirement for additional fasteners. As a rule, metal staples are used for this, which are destroyed at high temperatures, from which the insulation simply falls off the ventilation duct. It is most reliable to glue rolls of basalt protection on fire-resistant adhesives.

Among other disadvantages: the comparative difficulty of installation, the weight of the structure.

Installation is carried out in several stages:

  1. Surface preparation. Cleaning, leveling, drying, removal of rust, unevenness.
  2. Application of adhesive. One coat is sufficient for a fire resistance of 30-150 minutes, for more a second coat is needed.
  3. The material is glued in strips. Material consumption per 1 m² is 1.1 m². When installing double protection, the layers come with offset joints relative to each other and the consumption is 2.05 m².
  4. If glue is not used, then the roll is unwound over the entire surface of the pipe and fixed with metal brackets.

For basalt rolls, the fire resistance limit is 180 minutes with a thickness of 70 mm. The greater the thickness, the higher the protection, and vice versa. Foil options increase resistance to heat energy. Application in conjunction with paint or sprays provides comprehensive and most reliable protection..

The use of rolled basalt fire protection (video)

fire retardant paint

During strong heating, when exposed to temperatures in the region of 100º, such paint foams, forming new layers of carbon fire protection and additional thermal insulation.

Popular brands:

  1. Thermal barrier. Paint consumption for a minimum protection of 45 minutes - from 0.95 kg / m², depending on the thickness of the metal structure (the greater the thickness of the duct, the less paint is required).
  2. Kedr-Met-V. Consumption averages 1 kg/m².
  3. Ecofire. Average consumption: 1.11 kg/m².
  4. KROZ. Average consumption: 1.37 kg/m².

Advantages of fire retardant paint:

  • ease of application;
  • speed of repair after a fire;
  • the structure does not weigh down.

The first minus is that the thickness and integrity of the coating must be constantly monitored, since the paint peels off, falls off, and drains over time. Water-based paints may not have time to foam if the fire is carbon-type (if the temperature rises sharply in the first five minutes). In this case, the paint is ineffective, and the possibility of this type of fire should be considered in advance.

Water-based paint is applied by spraying or brushing. It provides protection for 120 minutes at a thickness of 0.8 mm. The greater the layer of paint applied, the higher the time of ultimate fire resistance.

The more paint is applied to the surface, the more often it needs to be revised and checked for integrity.

The result of applying fire-retardant paint for wood (video)

Sprayed flame retardant material

Spray-on composition for surface fire protection. It is created from mineral microfibrous substances, inorganic binder and additives with a very high fire resistance limit (2-3 hours).

Famous brands:

  • POLINOR;
  • Thermospray;
  • Corundum.
  • no need for preparatory work;
  • good adhesion to the surface;
  • spraying can be painted, covering with an additional layer of protection;
  • the most durable method (the layer can remain effective for up to 50 years).

Air ducts are an important component of the climate control system, responsible for the supply of air into the room and its removal. Such systems are arranged in residential buildings, warehouses and industrial premises, offices, shopping and entertainment complexes. The main goal of the organization of ventilation and air conditioning systems is to create the most comfortable climate conditions in the premises with minimal energy costs. The solution to this problem is provided by high-quality insulation of air ducts of ventilation systems. Various types of insulation are used to protect air ducts - thermal, fire, sound insulation, insulation that prevents the formation of condensate. Different materials are used for each type of insulation, most of which are capable of solving complex problems.

Thermal insulation of air ducts

The use of thermal insulation for air ducts makes it possible to reduce the loss of heat leaving the room to the outside through ventilation, thereby reducing heating costs. Thermal insulation is arranged on the external elements of ventilation systems to limit and control heat losses.

In various sections of the air ducts, the thermal insulation device makes it possible to solve the following tasks:

  • When moving warm air flows through extended sections of ventilation systems, it is necessary to ensure that their temperature is maintained at a certain level. The type of thermal insulation and its thickness are determined using thermal engineering calculations based on the technical conditions for the operation of ventilation.
  • Thermal insulation is also necessary for air ducts transporting cold air. This measure is necessary to protect cold air flows from being heated by warm air surrounding the ventilation ducts. In the absence of thermal insulation, the efficiency of the air conditioning system is significantly reduced. Properly arranged thermal insulation makes it possible to achieve the specified temperature conditions and ensures the compliance of the ventilation and air conditioning system without additional settings.

In order to ensure thermal insulation of air ducts of climate systems, the following types of insulation are successfully used: materials based on basalt fiber, glass wool, foamed rubber, foamed polyethylene, most often coated with aluminum foil, foil mineral wool mats.

Thermal insulation can be both internal and external, however, it makes no sense to consider the disadvantages and advantages of internal insulation - in practice, no one insulates air ducts from the inside.

The thickness of the thermal insulation of the duct is determined by temperature, humidity, aggressiveness and other environmental factors. Insulation thickness calculations should only be carried out by qualified personnel. The calculation formula is specified in SNIP 2.04.14-88, which can be downloaded from the link below:

SNIP 2.04.14-88*. Thermal insulation of equipment and pipelines. .

Device for isolating air ducts from condensation

A serious problem in the operation of ventilation and air conditioning systems is the formation of condensate on the surface of air ducts that transport colder air than the air in the room.

Condensation on air ducts, especially in rooms with high humidity, causes the formation of water droplets that can damage floors, walls and ceilings. Gradually, condensate becomes the cause of the failure of the duct.

Condensation can be avoided by providing an insulating layer of sufficient thickness so that the temperature of the outer surface of the insulation is not lower than the room air temperature. A feature of such insulation is the need for a surface vapor barrier layer, the purpose of which is to protect the insulation from moisture ingress. Most often, foil insulating coatings are used for this purpose. As the basis of the insulating layer, basalt fiber, foamed rubber and polyethylene, fiberglass can be used.

All joints of the foil insulation layer must be carefully taped with foil adhesive tape. For additional fixation of rolled insulation, a wire or steel tape is used.

Fireproof insulation of air ducts

Due to the fact that ventilation ducts connect different types of premises, they must be protected by a layer of fireproof insulating materials without fail. This measure is necessary to prevent the destruction of the air duct from external fire in case of a building fire.

Fire insulation of air ducts can be carried out using mineral wool pierced mats and slabs, cylinders made of basalt fiber.

  • Mineral wool boards are used for square-section air ducts; during installation, they are fixed with studs and fixing washers or special screws.
  • Stitched mats can be used for both round and rectangular air ducts. Between themselves, the mats are sewn together with wire. The length of the sewing mat for trimming is selected depending on the diameter of the duct. The use of foil mats increases the functionality of the insulation layer and improves the appearance of the duct.

If vertically located air ducts have a significant length, fire insulation is additionally fixed to the ceiling or other building structures. For fastening use steel wire or special steel plates. Methods for fixing fire-retardant insulation to building elements are determined by building and fire codes.

To fix the fire insulation of rectangular air ducts to the building structures, various types of studs are used.

If the distance between the duct and the ceiling made of fire-resistant materials is less than required for the placement of the insulating layer, then it is allowed to leave the upper surface of the duct without insulation. If this distance is equal to the thickness of the insulating layer, then the upper surface of the duct can be partially insulated.

Recently, flame retardants have been used to improve the fire safety of air ducts, which are similar in appearance to paint compositions. They are applied to the surface of the air ducts with a brush, roller, using an airbrush. In case of fire under the influence of high temperatures, the protective coating swells to form a fire-resistant barrier.

Air duct soundproofing device

Details of ventilation systems can become sources of unwanted noise, from which it is necessary to protect the ventilated rooms of the building. The main noise generator is the fan blades. In addition to the main ones, there are additional sources of sounds: dampers, valves, other mechanisms with rotating elements. The inherent turbulence of the flow can also create noise and, in addition, provoke resonant vibrations. Such turbulent flows appear in places where the direction and section of air ducts change.

Part of the noise and vibration can be eliminated due to the properties of the material from which the air duct is made. This function is most effectively performed by flexible hoses, and partially by ventilation ducts made of polymeric materials. Noise and vibrations travel the most through metal ducts. Therefore, with increased requirements for the noise level in the room, a sound insulation device is necessary. In some cases, duct silencers are an acceptable solution.

The ideal option for organizing a noise-protective layer, due to the fibrous structure and optimal density, is to use insulation based on basalt or fiberglass.

Noise reduction can be achieved with specially coated boards made from fiberglass nonwoven or fiberglass. Such plates are installed inside the duct, the joints are closed with a metal profile.

Brief characteristics of materials used for duct insulation

Based on the results of the analysis of the building materials market and consumer demand, we can distinguish a number of popular materials used for the installation of an insulating layer of air ducts:

  • For insulation of air ducts of small and medium diameter, materials based on foamed polyethylene, consisting of polyethylene foam with a closed-cell structure, are widely used. The most progressive is foamed polyethylene, covered with a layer of aluminum foil, which has a reflective effect. This material is chemically resistant, environmentally friendly, effective for sound, heat, steam and waterproofing. Foiled PPE on one side can have a layer of moisture-resistant glue that allows you to attach the insulation to metal surfaces and other materials. Common brands of insulating material in this group are Penofol, Izolon, Adgilin M, Mielterm.
  • A modern insulating material is foamed rubber, which, along with the insulation of building structures, is used to protect air ducts from heat loss. Foamed rubber has a closed porous structure, has a high resistance to water vapor diffusion. For insulation of elements of ventilation and air conditioning systems, foamed rubber is used in the form of tubes of the Kaiflex EF and Kaiflex EPDM brands. Insulating rubber coating can be produced in the form of rolls and sheets - "Kaiflex Protect". These materials can be produced in foil, with a self-adhesive layer or with a combination of foil and adhesive layer.
  • For thermal insulation of climate systems, mineral wool is most widely used, which has good heat saving performance and high fire resistance. To protect large-section air ducts, mineral wool mats are used, which are produced: foil, laminated, lamella, pierced. The most famous brands of this type of air duct insulation are Paroc, Nobasil, Izover, Rockwool, TechnoNIKOL.

All insulating materials for air ducts differ from each other in characteristics and cost. However, it should be remembered that high-quality insulation should, if possible, provide comprehensive protection of the duct to extend the life of the entire climate control system.