Foam-based spray prevents spread of fire

Since the launch of construction industry services and technology provider Hilti South Africa’s Firestop façade joint coating earlier this year, the product – which has been well received by engineers and architects – will be used in its first large construction project in Bedfordview, Gauteng, next month.

Launched at the Zak World of Facades Conference, held on April 12, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Firestop façade joint coating, known as CFS-SP WB, helps prevent the spread of fires and smoke within a treated area. The water-based acrylic chemical component of the CFS-SP WB is highly elastic, offers acoustic insulation and is also water resistant.

The CFS-SP WB coating is more cost effective and easier to implement than current fire prevention systems. Hilti engineering head Christiaan Davel says the conventional solution entails using a steel plate with insulation material, which does not provide an adequate smoke seal and results in a high project cost because of the steel price.

He points out that buildings nowadays have a large gap between façades, which needs to be left open to allow for expansion and contraction of the glass, and wind loading on the façade. “The CFS-SP WB coating allows for a flexible joint, which, in turn, allows for the prescribed amount of movement without breaking or degrading, says Davel.

He further mentions that the coating falls within global guidelines and is friendlier on the environment than most other fire suppressant systems because of its chemical make-up. The CFS-SP WB coating is water-based, has a low volatile organic compound and contains no halogens, which makes the coating more environment-friendly. The coating has good covering capacity with high-level sprayability, making application using airless spray possible.

Although the coating is best suited to applications at the face of the façade, it can also be applied at pipe or electrical penetration through walls and at the top of wall joints, as well as on façade claddings, cable coatings and as a floor penetrating solution.

Davel adds that Hilti has a team of experienced specialists who do on-site analysis of the client’s requirements and can recommend the best passive fire protection solution possible from the accredited Hilti range.

“Hilti complements the CFS-SP WB coating with, for example, its firestop software, putties and cable protection systems. All of which are certified and accredited,” he notes.

The CFS-SP WB coating has been extensively tested by Hilti’s associate testing facility Underwriters Laboratories, in Northbrook, Illinois, the US, and conforms to International Organization for Standardization and South African Bureau of Standards requirements.

“Our focus is on building engaged clients in the construction industry who experience the differentiation and the value that our solutions add to their daily business,” concludes Davel.