Whether you are talking about a residential, commercial, or industrial building, fire safety should always be one of the primary concerns. Without the proper safety measures, fires can pose a serious risk to property, equipment, and lives.
One of the fastest-growing forms of fire safety is fire-rated walls and fire-rated wall panels. These specialized walls act as one of the primary lines of defence for preventing destructive fires from spreading. By acting as an effective fire barrier, these walls can contain flames and provide first responders with the time they need to evacuate the building and extinguish the fire.
Today, we will explain why the 2-hour fire-rated wall is one of the most popular options. Not only will we explain what they are, but we will also dive into the reasons why they are so versatile and effective. From there, we will even cover some other types of fire-rated walls and wall panels!
So, if you are ready to learn how to protect your assets from fires, it’s time to start!
What Is a Fire-Rated Wall?
Essentially, a fire-rated wall is a specialized type of wall designed to withstand the heat generated by a fire without combusting. These walls act as fire-proof partitions that can help contain fires in a way that prevents them from spreading to other areas of the building.
Not only can they help slow the spread of fires, which provides fire responders with valuable time to react, but they can also protect valuable and flammable assets. Most importantly, in the event of a fire, fire-rated walls can give a building’s occupants the valuable time they need to evacuate.
Each type of fire-rated wall or fire-rated wall panel is given a specific rating, which generally corresponds to how long it can withstand exposure to direct flames without combusting or collapsing. Basically, this rating gives you a general idea of how long the wall could prevent fire from spreading.
What Is a 2-Hour Fire-Rated Wall?
As the name implies, a 2-hour fire-rated wall is a type of wall that can prevent the spread of fire for at least two hours. To earn this rating, the wall panel or materials the wall is made out of need to be rigorously tested to demonstrate their fire resistance and ability to maintain structural integrity during direct exposure to flames. A 2-hour fire-rated wall must have a minimum thickness of 5 inches.
Other Types of Fire-Rated Walls
While 2-hour fire-rated walls and wall panels are very popular, they are not the only type used in construction and building design.
In addition to 2-hour fire-rated walls, you can also find walls that have a 1-hour rating as well as a 3-hour rating. Naturally, the 1-hour fire-rated walls offer less protection during a fire, while the 3-hour-rated firewalls can maintain their structural integrity for longer. One-hour fire-rated walls are 4 inches thick, while 3-hour fire-rated walls must be 6 inches thick.
What Is the Difference Between the Different Types of Fire-Rated Walls?
Aside from the obvious fact that they differ in how long they can withstand fire exposure, these different walls and wall panels are often made from different materials. Where 1-hour fire-rated wall panels and wall-building materials tend to be made from materials like concrete and gypsum, the more durable 3-hour fire-rated walls tend to have a more complex mineral fiber core.
The wall and wall panels also tend to differ in thickness according to their fire rating. The higher the fire rating, the thicker the wall or wall panel tends to be.
Applications for Fire Rated Walls
Today, fire-rated walls and wall panels are being used to construct almost any building you can imagine. Their ability to act as an effective safeguard against rapidly spreading flames makes them incredibly useful.
Who wouldn’t want to slow the spread of flames when protecting property and lives?
With commercial buildings, like offices and retail stores, fire-rated walls can protect inventory, employees, clients and the property itself. Given that most commercial buildings regularly have many occupants, any added layer of fire protection is extremely valuable.
In more industrial facilities, like factories, agricultural buildings, and warehouses, fire-rated walls help protect valuable equipment and inventory that would otherwise be left exposed to the dangers of fires. In the event of a fire in this type of facility, fire-rated walls also ease evacuation efforts and give fire departments the time they need to extinguish the fire and save the property.
Even in residential buildings, like hotels and apartments, fire-rated walls provide residents with an added layer of security. They can prevent fires from spreading between rooms and units and increase the amount of time occupants have to escape the blaze.
Introducing Rockwall Fire Rated Wall Panels
Rockwall Fire Rated Wall Panels are the ideal solution if you are looking for an affordable and effective form of fire protection. They are made with a unique Rockwool mineral fibre core and a laminated steel sheet that gives each panel outstanding fire resistance.
They are available in 1, 2, and 3-hour fire ratings, so they can provide the exact fire resistance level and thermal performance you require. Regardless of fire rating, all Rockwall Fire Rated Wall Panels feature a non-combustible core, which means they will maintain their fire rating, even with exposure to the most intense temperatures.
Click the following link to learn more about Rockwall Fire Rated Wall Panels – Rockwall Specifications.
What Sets Rockwall Fire-Rated Wall Panels Apart?
Ease of Installation
Rockwall Fire Rated Panels are incredibly easy to install thanks to their unique interlocking design and lightweight construction. This saves time during construction, as well as labour costs.
Easy-to-Clean Hygienic Surface
Not only do they meet the strict sanitation standards of the CFIA, but they are also resistant to the spread of mold and mildew. This means they are suitable in all types of commercial and industrial spaces, including those that deal with food preparation and packaging.
Affordability and Cost Savings
Despite their effectiveness, Rockwall Panels are available at a budget-friendly price. Not only do you save money on labour costs and the upfront cost of the panels themselves, they even provide a high thermal barrier with an R-value of R4 per inch. This translates to significant energy savings compared to other fire-rated wall panels.
Ready to Learn More About Rockwall?
If you are ready to learn more and take the first step towards easy and affordable fire safety, simply click the link and scroll to the bottom of the page. Tell us about your project, and we will be able to explain your options and provide a free estimate! Get in Touch