What does non-combustibility mean for a mineral wool wall panel?

Look up the exact product in its documentation. Check that panel thickness, facings and other conditions fall within the classification. A change in coating material or panel construction may require separate evidence. A general statement about mineral wool cannot identify the performance of a particular panel.

The s1 designation indicates limited smoke production under the relevant test conditions. Smoke can still develop in a building fire. The d0 designation means that no flaming droplets or particles occurred within the classification criteria. It describes behaviour under those conditions only.

Reaction to fire describes how a product contributes to fire development. The length of time a wall can separate two rooms requires a different assessment. An A2-s1,d0 classification alone provides no basis for specifying EI 60 or EI 120.

E stands for integrity and I for insulation in a fire. The number gives the time in minutes for which the relevant classification criteria were met. R applies where loadbearing capacity in fire is assessed. Use it only for an element classified for that function.

Check the complete field of application, including panel type, thickness, span, vertical or horizontal installation, fixings and direction of fire exposure. A rating obtained for one arrangement may cover only certain lengths and joints. Keep the design within the documented limits.

Datasheets of different dates may cover variants with similar names. Before specifying a value, match the product and its configuration to the document. Keep the version used for the order with the evidence supporting the design. A later catalogue change need not alter the properties of an earlier delivery. For an extension, establish how the existing and new sections of wall will work together.

Doors, grilles and service penetrations each need an appropriate detail. A gap around a pipe still needs assessment when mineral wool surrounds it. Select the seal for the wall, the service and the required performance. Ordinary expanding foam cannot simply replace a specified penetration seal.

Before cutting an opening, establish whether the wall has a fire separation function. Keep a record of alterations while the building is in use. Uncoordinated changes can compromise the performance assumed in the design even when the original panel was correctly specified.

Replacing a damaged panel means restoring the specified assembly. In addition to colour and thickness, check joint geometry, seals, number of fixings and connections to adjoining elements. Identify clearance stock and assess its condition before use.

Following heat exposure or a fire, inspect the bond between the layers, deformation and connections. The appearance of the steel alone cannot establish serviceability. Repainting may improve the finish but provides no evidence of structural performance or fire resistance.

Retain the declaration of performance, details of the installed system and as-built records. When a tenant changes, information about the function of each wall matters as much as the services drawings. It shows which alterations require agreement before work starts.

During inspections, check penetration seals, closures at openings and damage to the cladding. Maintaining fire protection throughout the building’s life means keeping the entire wall within its classified configuration, including after repairs and extensions.