Unifrax are able to offer a range of products and systems for a wide variety of fire protection applications worldwide. Our FyreWrap® products are lightweight, thin materials that are able to prevent flame penetration and heat transfer, whilst providing weight and space savings with simpler installation. Our engineered systems utilize these features in the Marine & Offshore (i.e. in cruise ships, yachts, high-speed ferries, military defense vessels and offshore platforms) and chemical process industries, as well as in commercial buildings and construction.
With a manufacturing and sales presence in all of the worlds major industrial regions, Unifrax continues to offers its customers the high quality service and support that has been the Unifrax standard for more than 60 years.
UNIFRAX manufactures a wide range of high temperature insulating materials. These products and their variants are parts of our FyreWrap® brand.
For more than 30 years, FyreWrap® materials have provided lightweight fire insulation for structures exposed to both cellulosic and hydrocarbon fires. FyreWrap® Blanket products offer the following outstanding characteristics:
- Non-combustible (tested and certificated)
- High insulation performance
- High melting temperature
- Simple installation techniques providing easy application
- Lower weight designs, reducing contribution to structures
- Combined fire, thermal and acoustic insulation
FyreWrap® Blankets are typically manufactured from a high temperature Alkaline Earth Silicate (AES) wool that incorporate fibres with low bio-persistence and hence are exonerated from any carcinogen classification. They are based on a calcium-magnesium silica chemistry, giving excellent thermal and physical stability, melting above 1330°C.
These blankets are also available in a water-repellent form, especially suited for fire protection in offshore and other high humidity environments.
Supplied in rolls of 610mm or 1220mm width, the length of these blanket rolls depends upon their thickness. The thickness and density used depends upon the required fire resistance rating and application. Full technical, acoustic and health & safety data are available on request.
Thermal Insulation Properties
The R Value of an insulation material can be calculated from its thermal conductivity and is typically measured at a temperature of 10°C.
The R Value or Thermal Resistance is a measure of the insulation performance of a material, at a specified thickness. It can be expressed as the material thickness divided by its thermal conductivity value.
The higher the R value, the higher the insulation performance of the material.
R Value (m²K/W) = Thickness (m) / Thermal conductivity (W/mK)
Thermal insulation performance of a material or structure is often expressed as a ‘U-Value’.
The U-Value or Thermal Transmittance Coefficient represents the flow of heat through a material or structure and is expressed as W/(m²K).
The lower the U value, the higher the insulation performance of the material or structure.
The U value is generally calculated from the R Value.
U Value (W/m²K) = 1 / R Value
Sound absorption can be described as the process in which sound waves are transferred into another kind of energy, when they pass through or strike the surface of a material. Absorption is expressed as a “sound absorption coefficient” – the fraction of sound energy absorbed by a material. It is expressed as a value between 0, zero absorption (total reflection) and 1.0*, perfect absorption (no reflection). This is measured over a range of frequencies (Hz).
For acoustic engineering purposes, the ability of a division (e.g. deck or bulkhead) to absorb noise is important in reducing noise reflected back (i.e. sound absorption of an insulation lining material is relevant when considering noise levels in the same area as the noise source).
Sound Adsorption is tested in accordance with BS EN ISO 354:2003
* Please note test data values may exceed the theoretical limit 1.0 for materials that are highly sound absorptive.
Sound reduction can be described as the process in which sound intensity is reduced as sound waves pass through a structure or division. Sound reduction is typically expressed as a single figure, the “weighted sound reduction” value (Rw) in dB. This single value or rating is calculated from the sound reduction values at various frequencies, as described in ISO 717-1.
For acoustic engineering purposes, the ability of a division (e.g. deck or bulkhead) to prevent sound transmission is important in reducing noise passing through to adjacent rooms (i.e. the sound reduction of an insulation lining material is relevant when considering noise levels in a separate area from the noise source).
Sound Reduction is tested in accordance with BS EN ISO 10140-2:2010 and rated in accordance with BS EN ISO 717-1:2013.
Blast Resistance
FyreWrap® Offshore Fire Divisions (H Rated Deck and Bulkheads) have also been tested for blast resistance. This is to determine their effectiveness for use in areas where there is a risk of explosion.
The aim of the testing was to demonstrate that the integrity of the FyreWrap® systems remain intact, and would be able to provide the same level of fire protection, following an explosion.
BLAST TESTING
Two blast tests were carried out on a selection of FyreWrap® and FyreWrap® LT systems (H60 and H120), with the insulation / stiffened side exposed to the blast. All testing was witnessed by Lloyds Register.
Tests were conducted on systems with :
- no covering on the insulation
- a protective stainless steel wire mesh covering
Two levels of blast pressure were tested, 0.65 bar (on both covered and uncovered systems) and 1.25 bar (on the covered system only). The duration of the blasts were 221ms and 279ms respectively and considered “long duration blast loads”.
RESULTS
The test specimens were inspected for damage that would be deemed to affect their fire integrity and performance. Subsequent examination showed the insulation withstood the blast and did not display any significant delamination from the substrate (see summary table).
CONCLUSION
Based on the tests conducted, it was determined that the FyreWrap® Blanket systems without coverings will remain in place and will not be significantly compressed by a 0.65 bar pressure. Furthermore, the
FyreWrap® Blanket systems with a stainless-steel mesh covering will remain in place and will not be significantly compressed by a 1.25 bar pressure. Therefore, these systems are able to maintain their required fire protection performance post-blast.