Foam mounting fire: characteristics and applications

Sealing foam fire - a type of foam that is fire-resistant and flame-retardant properties. Because of these qualities, it is used in special facilities, where it is necessary strict adherence to fire safety requirements. Pena has special characteristics, suggesting the specific terms of use. About polymer species, features of application and criteria for selection of material this article will tell.

Refractory foam: characteristics and properties

Specific substance with flame retardant properties has invented a group of scientists led by Otto Bayer in 1947 quite by accident - during experiments with polyurethane. Then it was difficult to assume that the polyurethane foam will be widely used in construction 70 years later.

Initially, similar materials used in the construction industry as insulating boards. In the 70s the British company «Royal Chemical Industry» invented tanks with foam, and the mass production of them began in the 80s in Sweden. In Russia invention came in the early 90s.

The main properties of the refractory foam - a heat resistance and ability to withstand fire. Now it is often used for finishing slopes in the openings during the installation of fire doors. Non-flammable material, which fills the gap and creates a leak in case of fire prevents the penetration of smoke and fumes indoors. These requirements correspond to the rules of fire safety.

Fire protection foam is worth slightly more expensive than similar products used in the assembly and finishing work, so it is often not used only for its intended purpose, but also for other construction needs, even if that object is not high demands fire.

Composition mounting refractory foam and regulatory requirements thereto

High fire-resistant and specifications foam provides its membership, which includes:

• catalysts which accelerate expansion that provides the possibility of using a foam even at sub-zero temperatures;
• blowing agents influencing the solidification speed and the degree of porosity of the foam;
• stabilizing components, providing a uniform distribution of foam on the surface;
• gas ejecting material from the vial.

Useful advice!Buying fire foam, it is imperative to ensure the presence of the certificate of conformity. This document confirms its refractory properties.

The main and perhaps the only requirement for this type of fire fighting products, statutory, is a level of resistance to fire. This figure is regulated by the GOST 30247.0-94 foam mounting - "Building structures. Test methods for fire. "

The paper discusses the methodology of building test structures, materials, which are used in construction and finishing works on the fire resistance. Thus, the foam refractory assembly has a limit EI fire resistance. This parameter indicates the passage of test substance on the integrity and the ability to maintain the insulating properties under intense fire exposure. The corresponding figure at the products on the domestic market, depends on its type and ranges from 60 to 360 minutes.

Specifications foam refractory mounting

Almost every form of construction, whether it is a lining of engineering networks or cable communication, the formation of the holes provided. In case of fire, do not become embedded apertures directly through the spread of fire to adjoining rooms. In order to avoid disastrous consequences to install fire use plaster or a special material made of basalt. In order to protect itself and preventing the advancement of communications used fire flame arrestors and refractory sleeve.

Currently, along with the above traditional materials used flame-retardant foam, which has had time to prove itself perfectly. This is evidenced by the characteristics of foam. The main ones are:

1. High resistance to fire marked indicator EI (360 minutes). This suggests that the foam is comparable to the fire wall.
2. High adhesion - adheres well with almost all building materials. This material was combined with bricks, concrete, metal, cinder block, cement solution, gypsum, glass, ceramics, plaster, and even used in the finishing and coating of the walls floor.
3. The foam does not flow in the process of applying it on the wall.
4. Using the mounting material allows us to work quickly and requires no special skills and qualifications.
5. Material easily penetrates into the hole and openings and extends throughout their volume, well fills all cavities.
6. Rapid solidification of the foam takes place at a temperature of from -18 to +35 ° C, which reduces time performance.
7. The material does not have properties of the secondary expansion.

Operational characteristics nonflammable foam

Mounting fireproof foam is long and reliably. It retains its characteristics in conditions of low humidity. Unlike other substances foam does not crack under the influence of dry air. Conversely, in areas with high humidity it does not swell, as well as it does not form mold and mildew.

Useful advice!When choosing products, you need to decide on its target destination. To lock the door frame or window frame with sufficient foam index EI 60 fire resistance. Sealing joints in slabs on the ground crossing with chimney stove, fireplace or boiler requires a more robust material. In this case it is better to buy the foam with fire resistance EI 240.

Refractory foam is reliably even in unheated warehouses, auxiliary constructions, engineering and industrial applications. With a wide operating temperature range, which is from -40 to +100 ° C, the substance can be used in different climatic conditions, even in areas with significant differences temperature.

Due to the high thermal insulation properties is not breathable foam, heat and smoke and gas mixtures. This quality is very important in terms of fire safety. On a material very rapidly form surface protective film - for about 10 minutes. One vial volume of 750 mL under pressure exits 65 l of foam.

What better foam: types, types, application category

When choosing the mounting fire fighting foam should focus on what public buildings and public areas is planned to its application. It is important to consider the possibility of periodically heating the structure and the risk of fire. These qualities affect the types and kinds of foam differences.

Depending on the possible use of the substance during the negative air temperature is divided into fire protection foam application categories:

• at a temperature not lower than +5 ° C;
• at a temperature from -5 to -10 ° C.

foam types also differ in terms of fire resistance, which should correspond to the level of fire resistance of doors. For example, the marking on the foam EI 30 provides for its application in areas where both may be up to 300 people and can be quickly evacuated.

Polyurethane foam has three classes of fire:

• B3 class - combustible foam;
• Class B2 - Flammable, but quickly damped foam;
• non-flammable - B1 class.

Fire foam refers specifically to the B1 class.

Given the availability of active ingredients, the foam is separated into one- and two-component. One-component refractory foam hardens under the influence of water. Therefore, when used premoistened surface. Two-component foam fire is able to solidify without moisture. The use of such substances is possible, even in winter.

Manufacturers in order to provide fire resistance, added to the composition of the foam specialty chemicals - flame retardants. Their names and the proportions do not disclose commercial interests. Polymerization refractory foam occurs due to chemical reactions and upon exposure to air and moisture. Products from different manufacturers different specifications.

Manufacturers of foam: the price and quality of products

The modern market of manufacturers of foam is quite extensive. Widespread, both foreign and domestic products. Below, we consider the most popular companies producing assembly foam.

It is interesting! Virtually all imported products are produced in a uniform screen cylinders 750 ml and involves the use of a foam gun.

In Russia, produces one-component flame retardant foam Profflex Firestop. It made for a German license. The substance has a low secondary expansion and rapid curing at ratio of fire resistance EI 240 has a capacity (EVA foam) to 65 liters. The price of such products - from 500 rubles. per bottle. A more advanced analog - foam Proffelex Fireblok 65.

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A special demand has a foam assembly Makroflex 750 ml. its price is slightly higher - from 650 rubles. per bottle. The substance has high fire resistance (up to 240 minutes) and corresponds B1 class. It can only be applied at a temperature of +5 ° C. It requires protection from UV radiation.

Foam mounting TECHNONICOL 70 PROFESSIONAL - component polyurethane material having a good expansion and high output capacity. The substance has a good adhesion to most materials. Applications - sealing, thermal and sound insulation of joints and openings, installation of parts in finishing work.

Foam fire professional SOUDAFOAM FR GUN is produced in Belgium and has the highest rate of fire resistance - up to EI 360. This kind of record holder among refractory foams. This affects the quality of the product price - from 700 rubles. per bottle.

Sealing foam fire: instructions for use

Information on how to use the mounting foam is placed on cylinders. On the internet you can find many useful tips from an object lesson, which demonstrates the use of foam in the process of implementation of different installation. The main stages of substance use can be summarized in a few points:

• The balloon must be heated in hot water and shake well. Due to this gas and liquid components of the blend, and the foam will increase the maximum output.
• Next, the balloon is pushed onto the tube or mounted on the gun.
• The surface before application of the foam is purified from dust and dirt and moistened with water.

• Foam is applied to the surface. For this it is necessary to calculate the foam exit from the dosage cylinder. This will help the gun. Vial during deposition of the substance to be kept down valve.
• Step drying foam. As a rule, it is necessary to 6-8 hours. The processing time depends on the volume of the material and can range up to 12 hours.
• After drying excess foam is cut with a sharp knife or sawing.

Polyurethane foam - a material that is sensitive to UV light and collapses under its influence. Therefore, the polyurethane sealant is used on the outside, after drying to be coated with a special solution.

The clean assembly foam: removal from the remnants of clothing, hands and instruments

After using a polyurethane sealant question arises: what to launder assembly foam? It turns out that there are a lot of answers and useful recommendations, which depend on the specific situation.

Useful advice!To avoid the dilemma than to scrub the foam core with a hand, it is important to prevent the release of the substance in the body. To do this, you need to work carefully, using special clothing and protective gloves.

Sometimes, even when using gloves, sealant gets on the skin, then we need to decide what to wash hands with assembly foam. Will get rid of substances special solvent which is used for professional washing gun.

In solving the problem than to scrub the foam core to the skin, help means at hand. Substance can be washed off with kerosene or remove it with a cloth soaked in a heated sunflower oil. But you need to be patient and hold means about half an hour on the skin. It will also help ordinary table salt if it gently rub the contaminated sites, as well as solution "Dimexidum", but it is best used to remove the mounting foam with clothes. As the solvent - this drug will quickly get rid of pollution.

If the sealant has dried, it is necessary not to wash and clean the mounting foam with clothes. How to do it? First, the building material will have to remove by hand. Further it is possible to use the above solutions.

Before mounting the foam scrub on the door or on the other surfaces, it is better to wait until it hardens, and only then carefully remove the dried material with a thin stationery knife.

Gun Foam: price, terms of use and device

Using the gun provides the majority of manufacturers of foam. It is important to note that this tool is much easier to work and helps to spend most rational substance, as it allows to set up the dosage material.

With the help of a gun is easy to cut off the foam simply releasing the trigger lever. In this case, the device does not stiffen the foam, because the needle is securely closes the air intake, whereby there is no need for cleaning the gun. If necessary, it can be quickly replaced.

Thanks to the foam can be applied to the gun with one hand, and in the most uncomfortable positions. In qualitative models of parts usually wear. Proper and correct operation ensures a long service life.

The most common imported pistols - Intertool, Sigma, Tope, as well as domestic - Brigadier Bison. These models feature low price (600 rubles.) At a fairly acceptable quality products.

Pistols for foam Hilti, Neo, Yato - a higher device class. Are popular among professional builders. One such tool can be applied in the use of more than one hundred cylinders. Price starts from one and a half thousand rubles for one gun.

What gun foam is better: selection criteria and rules for use

The selection criterion is the gun main material manufacturing various parts. It is desirable that the items have teflon or fluoroplastic coating parts, through which the foam will stick to them. This is several times easier cleaning products.

Useful advice!Determine the presence of PTFE can swipe your finger over the surface. When touched sense should appear greasy film. It is important not to confuse the coating with conservation grease.

Completing the gun must be made of metal, which provides its strength and durability. It is necessary that the handle was not a convenient form of "dug" in the hand and lay "as the cast." The trigger at the end should have a slight bend that prevents finger dismount. Its length indicates how many fingers will be involved when pressed.

When you purchase should be wary of too much light or heavy gun, and should pay attention to the bulb holder and shut-off valve with a ball placed in the center. It is not necessary to purchase a gun with plastic ball valve.

Important to have a foam dispenser, which regulates its flow. In the end, the gun must be clean and free of dirt and debris processing. Trigger-quality gun is being tested at the factory. The presence of the pressure can be checked by pressing.

Leak test tool must use for washing gun foam, which includes acetone. Washing liquid, it is desirable to always have on hand. To check on the gun mounted tank with liquid, then a few clicks of the trigger gun tube is cleaned from conservation grease and is filled with liquid. The balloon is then removed and allowed to stand for a couple of days. Upon expiration of pressing the trigger in a pistol sealed pressurized fluid will escape from the gun.

How to use the gun for foam

Surface estimated for foam application, be wetted with water. Otherwise, dust would create an insulating layer, and a foam is adhered. Next, using a test application should adjust the flow of material to the required flow and quantity. Thus it is necessary to take into account the expansion ratio of foam used.

During the cylinder, make sure the replacement that the previous is completely empty. A new vial should be shaken well (about 15 seconds). Then the cap is removed, the balloon is removed the old and the new set.

Keep the gun better with balloon in Otherwise, it should be thoroughly rinsed with a special liquid. The container during storage should contain little foam that no substance frozen inside the gun.

When reusing the gun should shake clean the nozzle from the dried foam. If there is need to remove it with a knife, taking care not to damage the gun. The trigger is released before the foam until the desired flow is not formed.

Important! Removing the tank from the gun, it is necessary to remove the cylinder valve and the gun from the person in order to avoid foam discharge (even if the gun and the tank is completely empty).

Washing gun, it is desirable to produce once a month. If an extended period of time will not use it, it must be preserved. For this purpose it is applied a thin layer of petroleum jelly.

The mounting foam is widely used in various construction projects. This sealant is often simply irreplaceable. Flame-resistant material is of particular importance, in particular during the installation of doors and windows or openings after the sealing communications installation. Proper application of foam and knowledge processing characteristics substances which have been described in this article, guarantee high quality.