Fire Safe Insulation

RockWorld imagery, Szczecin Philharmonic

Fire safe insulation is vital to help ensure the safety of building occupants, preventing the spread of fire and limiting its structural damage.

A fire can start in any part of a building. That’s why fire resistant insulation is required wherever possible.

Discover our effective solutions – and the benefits of installing ROCKWOOL fire insulation today.

Find inspiration, guides and reports

Why do we need fire safe insulation?

Protecting the lives of buildings’ occupants is the number one priority during a construction or renovation. Fire resilient insulation, made from non-combustible materials, slows down the spread of fire, containing it within one compartment of a building for as long as possible.

This provides more time for residents to escape during a fire, creating a safer environment for firefighters to combat the flames – and can better contain potential damage of the building to one smaller area.

Buildings also need to meet the approved fire safety standard set out in national regulations.

ROCKWOOL fire safe insulation:

Does not produce any significant toxic smoke
Limits fire spread
Provides robust performance

Relevant resources

Financial Savings

Effective fire insulation can help protect buildings against costly damage – or loss of inventory – reducing the need for expensive building repairs and renovations in the event of a fire.

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application, firesafety , header photo, apartment, fire safety exit

Why choose ROCKWOOL solutions?

ROCKWOOL insulation is made from non-combustible fire-resistant stone wool that can withstand temperatures above 1,000°C¹. This helps limit the spread of fire in a building. With minimal organic content, no significant toxic smoke is produced either.

Our insulation materials are given a Euroclass Reaction to Fire Classification either A1 or A2-s1,d0. Those are the top fire performance classifications and based on several characteristics including:

Ignitability
Flame spread
Heat release
Smoke production
Propensity for producing flaming droplets/particles

In addition, wider benefits of ROCKWOOL insulation include²:

Thermal properties – heat is retained in buildings, contributing to improved health outcomes for residents.³
Acoustic performance – noise pollution is blocked and absorbed, particularly in noisy urban areas.
Robustness – made from sturdy stone wool, providing stability when used in high-rise developments.
Aesthetics – fire resilient insulation solutions are flexible and can be shaped according to the building.
Water retention – in the event of rainfall or moisture, insulation can absorb or repel water when needed.
Circularity – made from recyclable materials and using environmentally-sustainable processes.

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Fire resilient insulation is a key element in today’s construction projects. Because we do not build or renovate as we used to do 50 years ago, being aware of the possible consequences of this change, like increased fire risks for example, is critical. Non-combustible materials have an important role to play in keeping modern buildings and their occupants safe.

Andrei-Mircea Corches

Regulatory Affairs Partner, Fire Safety at ROCKWOOL Group

Case studies

The challenge

Fire safety is a high priority at the French military’s new Paris HQ – The Hexagone Balard.⁴

Designed to accommodate more than 9,000 personnel across the 41-acre site, the hexagonal structure at its core is the country’s control centre for its army, navy and air force. Security and safety are at the heart of this high-tech construction.

The solution

During the construction, 16,000m² of 150mm non-combustible ROCKWOOL insulation was installed. This provides up to two hours additional protection if there is a fire in a large building – allowing more time for people to escape.

More than 50,000m² of insulated cladding was also applied to the building. Its fire resistant properties provide further protection and improve the building’s aesthetics.

The results

Alongside improving safety levels to the required standard, the fire safe insulation also boosted its energy efficiency. The passive design features achieved through insulation and insulated cladding means it is self-sufficient in its use of natural resources – a great achievement for a project of this size.

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The combination…met the high requirements by improving fire protection and durability in the building, while the environmental benefits of ROCKWOOL products also played a key role.

Jean-Francois Dumand

Law Energy Design Department, ROCKWOOL France

Applications

Insulation

Structural Protection

ROCKWOOL structural protection products are built to withstand extreme heat, making them an essential addition to fire safety strategy.

Insulation

Fire Penetration

Fire penetration products can prevent flames and smoke spreading through gaps and unsecured elements in your building.

Insulation

Fire Rated Ductwork

Fire rated ductwork reduces the serious risk of fire spread throughout buildings. Protect your construction and building occupants with ROCKWOOL solutions.

Insulation

Fire Stopping

ROCKWOOL fire stopping products act to slow and prevent the spread of a fire in a building. Find out how our range achieves this vital goal.

Insulation

Steel Structure Fire Protection

ROCKWOOL products can offer substantial fire protection for steel building structures, including steel beams. Safeguard your construction.

Installing

When ROCKWOOL fire insulation is used in building developments by professionals, it’s simple to install.

Key tips:⁵

Measure the area you are installing in – cut your insulation according to the size of the space.
Don’t squash insulation underneath – if you’re installing on top of existing insulation, avoid compressing the insulation below it.
Calculate how much insulation you’ll need – unsure about the amount you’ll need? Work this out beforehand, so you order the correct amount for your project.

To discover how to install effectively and safely, consult our local product pages.

Inspiration and guides for professionals

Get 16 renovation cases

This case study bundle includes:

29 pages of our best 2018-19 projects
Acoustic renovation in both public buildings and private
Bringing new life into old buildings with facade panels
Improving fire safety and wellbeing in high-rises and historical buildings
Reducing noise and flooding with innovative stone wool solutions

Sustainability and energy efficiency

We use a natural product, volcanic rock, which draws on the natural power of stone wool in a sustainable way. Our products are made with minimal water wastage, saving an estimated 94 million litres of water per year when produced.⁶

Thanks to their unique durability and recyclability characteristics, our solutions can help our customers create more resilient buildings and cities that ultimately enrich modern living.⁷

Improved building energy efficiency is something the building sector is striving towards, with insulation being one of the biggest factors in meeting that demand.⁸

RockWorld imagery, The big picture, volcanic, lava, rock, stone

ROCKWOOL insulation helps achieve this for energy-efficient, sustainable new buildings and renovations. Non-combustible stone wool insulation is an ideal choice, as it

Fits easily into old and new constructions
Stays in place over the building’s lifetime
Keeps its shape and thermal performance over time
Allows vapour to pass through and does not accumulate moisture
Is made from natural stone, providing fire safety, durability and noise protection⁹

8 facts about the circularity of stone wool

Downloads and resources

By Susanne Dyrbøl

Energy Efficiency

Social Effects

Climate Change

Sustainability

Urbanization

Fire safety

A sustainable building starts with a fire safe building

Next Generation EU strengthens the economy but fails to ask what makes a building sustainable. Not renovating for fire resilience is a missed opportunity.