GRP Fire Retardant Profiles

Fire retardant resins fall into two different categories:

1. Halogenated systems

2. Non-Halogenated systems

Halogenated Systems

Halogenated Systems comprise typically of polyester resins with fire retardant additives(brominated), whilst these are good in fire, they are not good regarding smoke generation.

Their typical use is for outside applications where any smoke generation will be dispersed and not cause toxic fumes to kill people.

Antimony Trioxide is a highly effective flame-retardant synergist used in conjunction with halogen containing flame retardants or halogen containing resins. The halogen component is bonded to the chemical chain within the resin. The finished profile will therefore contain halogens and they will be released as toxic smoke in fire. With low, or no, filler loading it may be possible to achieve E23.

Non-Halogenated Systems

Non-Halogenated Systems comprise of polyester resin and ATH, Aluminium Trihydrate added to the resin.

These systems have a low smoke and toxicity properties and are generally used in areas where there is a high risk if a fire should establish itself (e.g., Tunnels and stations)

It is possible to achieve BS 476 Class 1, 2, or 3 with this system. However, we don’t believe that you can get Class 1 and E23 modulus. It is possible to achieve Class2 and E 23 modulus.

Phenolic is a further possible resin system which doesn’t need any fillers because it is naturally fire resistant and needs no additives.

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