Structural fire protection cladding

Rigips Glasroc F (Ridurit) fire protection boards reliably and economically protect steel and wooden load-bearing structures as well as adhesive reinforcements from high temperatures in the event of a fire.

Fire protection cladding for load-bearing structures

Load-bearing components such as columns and beams must be reliably protected from fire exposure for a specific period of time. This applies to structures made of wood as well as steel constructions. Box-shaped fire protection cladding made of fire protection boards has proven to be a safe and economical solution. Therefore, Rigips column and beam claddings made from the special fire protection board Glasroc F (Ridurit) of type GM-FH2, a fleece-reinforced gypsum board according to EN 15283-1, have been established for years as a reliable means of protecting load-bearing structures.

Function of fire protection cladding for steel columns and steel beams

Steel columns and beams must be protected from heating in the event of a fire, since steel loses its strength, and therefore its load-bearing capacity, at a critical temperature of around 500 °C. The amount of heat absorbed by the steel component depends on the ratio of the cladding's perimeter to the cross-sectional area of the profile. For profile-following cladding, it is the surface area of the profile that is decisive.

Fire protection cladding made from Glasroc F (Ridurit) reliably prevents excessive heat from entering columns and beams. This box-shaped cladding can be applied in three or four dimensions, depending on the application.

The required cladding thickness depends on the necessary fire resistance class and the profile factor of the steel profile (the profile factor Ap/V according to DIN EN 1993-1-2 corresponds to the ratio U/A according to DIN 4102-4). In general, it can be assumed that slender cross-sections heat up faster than massive cross-sections with the same perimeter. Therefore, slender cross-sections require thicker cladding for protection compared to massive cross-sections with the same perimeter.

Testing of steel column and steel beam claddings

The testing of steel column and steel beam claddings was carried out according to DIN 4102-2. In this process, the clad beam or column is subjected to fire exposure under load. A key assessment criterion is the temperature on the surface of the steel component. The abbreviation F is used to designate the fire resistance class.

Cladding for adhesive reinforcements

A special feature in fire protection is the fire protection cladding of adhesive-reinforced solid components, which is also carried out in the form of direct cladding with Glasroc F (Ridurit) of type GM-FH2, a fleece-reinforced gypsum board according to EN 15283-1. The fire protection cladding independently ensures protection against an unacceptable rise in temperature in the adhesive joint, allowing the static function of the lamella to be maintained even in the event of a fire.

Wood column and wood beam claddings

Wooden columns and beams must be protected from direct fire exposure in the event of a fire, as wood is a normally flammable building material classified as building material class B2 according to DIN 4102. In unprotected wooden load-bearing structures (solid construction timber), full fire exposure results in a burn rate of approximately 0.7 mm per minute, leading to a reduction in the load-bearing cross-section. Fire protection claddings with Glasroc F (Ridurit) reliably prevent the burning of wooden components and secure the load-bearing structure in the event of a fire.

Rigips applicability certificates

Numerous test certificates document the flawless function of Rigips column and beam claddings made of Glasroc F (Ridurit). The high strength of Glasroc F (Ridurit) allows the plates to be connected at the ends with staples and screws, eliminating the need for substructures.
When planning and executing column and beam claddings, the requirements of the corresponding applicability certificate must be met.

The advantages at a glance:

• easy installation and short construction times
• moisture-resistant cladding with Glasroc F (Ridurit), type H2
• perfect surface
• security through tested systems
• safe planning and execution with detailed solutions