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or by any damage caused to the building fabric post-occupancy. If combustible materials have been used within the build- up, it would then be possible for the fire to spread within the structure itself – with devastating consequences. The simplest way to mitigate this risk is to specify materials such as non- combustible insulation regardless of the height or type of building. Look for the Euroclass reaction to fire classification, which measures whether a UKCA and CE marked material will ignite, produce smoke or flaming droplets. The ratings range from F (easily flammable) to A1 (non-combustible).
Mineral wool insulation as a standard specification Of course, when designing for a sustainable future, architects must specify insulation products with minimum impact on the environment through either manufacture or use. But they also need to adopt materials and systems that reduce risk by preventing the development and spread of fire.
Mineral wool is non-combustible, having the highest possible Euroclass A1 or A2-S1, d0 reaction to fire classification. This is
important because a product that does not combust will also not emit pollutants, as well as not contributing to the spread of a fire in a building.
This means that as a specifier, you don’t have to compromise. As well as being non-combustible, glass and rock mineral wool insulation are made from materials that come from either naturally abundant sources or are recycled. In contrast, materials such as rigid boards are produced using oil-based ingredients. Glass mineral wool can also be compressed so there is more insulation per pack or per pallet, meaning fewer trucks on the road and therefore less transport emissions. This makes it ideal for projects where embodied carbon is a factor. For buildings to be ‘fit for the future,’
it’s not enough for fire safety to be considered from the point of legislative compliance alone, it must also be viewed as a measure of sustainability. Where insulation is concerned, there is a trusted solution for every application that already delivers on both criteria – non-combustible mineral wool.
Kelly Westwood is head of construction projects at Knauf Insulation
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Fire safety must be considered one of the foundational pillars of sustainable design
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