Fire rated facades are a necessity in todays building structures, especially considering the current emphasis on building safety. The trade-off between design freedom and functional safety is relevant for todays architect, more than at any time in the past. In this regulatory context, one wonders if there are enough product choices which can satisfy fire rated requirements and yet add character to the building façade. The answer to this question is yes and the list of available products seems to be growing by the day. However, it is important to consider products which not only satisfy the fire ratings and function requirements, but also offer flexibility of application to the installer.
Glass Reinforced composites offer the right blend of benefits to a building designer. Their properties can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a variety of applications. The mechanical and thermal properties of a composite generally follow the rule of mixtures. As glass fiber is the major component at 7075% by weight (5060% by volume), selection of the correct glass product is critical. The composites follow the functionality of glass, while offering a variety of design options as per the project requirement.
Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) is an ideal option as a fire resistant product, with aesthetic properties, high impact resistance, ease of installation and weight savings for the project. The material is custom built and can be used to make different kinds of shapes and facades. Another suitable product is Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP), a composite laminate of glass fibres in a polyester resin matrix. GRP is a highly versatile material for facades as well as structural load bearing elements. Glass Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG) is a moulded product with a high strength to weight ratio, which replaces the traditional art of plastering with pre-moulded GFRG composites.
When it comes to glass reinforced composites, the application plays a key role in the end project realisation. Hence, it is important for building suppliers to go the extra mile and provide design, optimisation and even installation support for project designers and owners. This is the only way to ensure that the solution and its requirements do not get diluted as the project progresses towards realisation.
That is why we provide complete turnkey solutions right the way through from project idea discussions, planning of new buildings and renovation of existing buildings to the installation of the product. This helps us control the quality of execution and the delivery timelines of the product.
We, at Mulk Holdings, have introduced a range of A2 fire rated cladding products based on glass reinforced composites as part of Globe clad Fire resistant panels, a group company and an A2 variant of our flagship Alubond USA aluminium composite panels.