Under floor barriers

Upgrading floors to have fire resistance is an overlooked an important part of passive fire protection as it reduces the chance of secondary ignition and fire spreading through floors which can disrupt the structural integrity of the building and is l susceptible collapse. Projects of floor upgrading are completed using under floor barriers which can be supplied by EnvirografIreland. 

Under floor fire barrier UF60 is made from graphite impregnated cloth covered with a reinforced craft paper, giving 60 minutes fire and insulation protection. UF104 has wire mesh inside as added support. If sound insulation is required  40mm thick soundproofing sponge can be ordered to suit. The under floor barrier is designed for use where either the decorated ceiling or lath and plaster ceiling cannot be fire proofed or access from below is not possible.

Application

Under floor barriers are installed under the floor boards. The sides are bent up to the joists and are fixed to the joists with supplied rectangular metal plates and 30mm clout nails at factory marked positions. The under floor barrier is supplied to fit a standard 40mm gap between joists, allowing a further 50mm on each side for fixing. Trained specialist with extensive knowledge of the installation of passive fire protection are required to undertake a project such as under floor barriers, although the barrier is extremely durable, care must be taken not to tear the barrier during installation. It is a crucial part of passive fire protection and id done improperly can be devastating for the safety of many lives and puts the building at risk of collapse in the event of a fire.

Performance 

UF104 installed into a floor/ceiling without any plasterboard or lath and plaster is tested to BS476 part 21 (1987), achieving 104 minutes integrity, insulation and load bearing.    

UF60 is tested to BS746 part 21, achieving 62 minutes.

Acoustic performance is tested to BS EN ISO 140-3 (1995) achieving: airborne 33(-4;-9) dB impact 74 (-1) dB.