Fire safety in the broadest sense of the word

With the construction solutions provided by Tremco CPG, the company aims to solve the complex challenges faced by architects, contractors, developers and tradesmen. "We can play a crucial role in this. Not only with our products for firestopping and fire-resistant steel coatings, but also with sound advice to the architect and contractor," says Mark Vink, Business Unit Manager Fire Protection at Tremco CPG Benelux.

The topic of fire safety is essential for any design. Tremco CPG offers various solutions for this with the Nullifire brand. Increasingly, however, a combination with the illbruck brand in facade connections is being sought to provide contractors and architects with integrated solutions. 

"Our brands you meet on the same construction site," says Mark. "With illbruck air sealing and Nullifire fire-resistant sealing, we have been the market leader in the Netherlands for years. In combination with the products of our other brands, including Flowcrete's seamless floor systems, this way we offer a total solution for every project."

Mark continues: "We are regularly called in during the design phase. This is when we share our knowledge and help think of solutions to any bottlenecks. Through our 'five-step plan,' from design phase, project advice, guidance, final inspection to the final step, product warranty, we can take care of the total package. Ultimately, everything is summarized in a digital file for the general contractor. One of the ways we do this is with our 'Preserving Existing Buildings' concept. This is all about unburdening managers, corporations and contractors during (major) maintenance, home improvement, home preservation and renovation." 

Why should the architect be concerned with fire safety at all? "We see that the architect is responsible for the detailing of a design and that in terms of fire safety it could be better. Regularly a contractor approaches us for advice and we discover that the wrong products have been prescribed. For example, fire-resistant PU foam has not been tested between wood-to-wood connections, even though we encounter it in various details. The architect can make the whole process run more smoothly by approaching us earlier for tailored advice." 

Architects can obtain support from Nullifire's passive fire protection specialists and have access to Tremco CPG's BIM library. 

New connections require different solutions

In changing construction, there is increasing demand for fire-resistant seals of HSB façade elements, Mark said. "For a connection between concrete and concrete many products can be found, but in new construction and renovation HSB is increasingly chosen. Of course, we have also done tests with this. For example, we recently tested the combination of illbruck FM 330 Elastic Foam Pro with the new Nullifire FJ204 Fireproof Sealing Cord. This is excellent as an elastic fire-resistant seal and demonstrably airtight around HSB elements by finishing with an illbruck airtight membrane. We are going to offer this as one system."

Another important product is the Nullifire FS704 Fire-resistant Hybrid Sealant. This is suitable for sealing HSB elements, in combination with wood or concrete, to create an airtight and fire-resistant combination. "The hybrid sealant is certified to the highest emission requirement, EC1Plus. Of course, every project remains different, so we are happy to advise on the correct sealing. There are quite a few products we can recommend, depending on the type of joint connection."

According to Mark, Tremco CPG is always busy with new developments in the construction industry, which follow each other in rapid succession. "Since the big fire in London in 2017 (Grenfell Tower), the construction of the facade is being looked at more and more strictly, and rightly so! New or more sustainable materials are also increasingly being chosen, such as CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) for the floors and walls. 

The question that must then be asked is: how are we going to fireproof this when it comes together? It was up to us to answer these questions quickly. We felt the pressure to deliver well-tested products as quickly as possible. Several successful tests have already been conducted with CLT."

In high-rise buildings, fire spread and fire penetration to the fire compartment above pose a high risk, especially for those with reduced self-reliance. "We already have several products that are useful in this regard, such as the hybrid kit. In addition, we will soon introduce firebarriers in the Benelux. Firebarriers are designed to prevent fire spread through the cavity."

Tremco CPG is divided into the illbruck, Flowcrete, Nullifire, Vandex, TREMCO, Dryvit and Nudura brands. With these brands, the company offers products and services for joint sealing, bonding, insulation, passive fire protection, floor coating, roof sealing and concrete protection.