Fireproof seals and profiles are essential components of any building that is designed to withstand the damaging effects of fire. In the event of a fire, these seals and profiles can help prevent the spread of flames and smoke, providing valuable time for occupants or passengers to evacuate the building or vehicle safely. In this article, we will take a closer look at fireproof seals and profiles, how they work, and why they are so important.
WHAT ARE FIREPROOF SEALS AND PROFILES?
Fireproof seals and profiles are specially designed components that are used to seal gaps and openings in walls, floors, and ceilings to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. These seals and profiles are made from materials that are capable of withstanding high temperatures without breaking down, degrading, or catching fire.
Fireproof seals are typically made from fire-retardant or intumescent materials, which are designed to expand rapidly when exposed to high temperatures. In general, fireproof seals and profiles create a barrier that prevents flames and smoke from spreading or slows the spread of fire. Fireproof profiles are similar to seals but are typically used in larger gaps or around the edges of doors and windows.
HOW DO FIREPROOF SEALS AND PROFILES WORK?
Fireproof seals and profiles work by creating a physical barrier that prevents or slows down the spread of fire and smoke. There are different solutions to do that, for example, fire-proof silicone, ablative sealants, or intumescent seals and fire-retardant profiles.
Fire X profiles are made of self-extinguishing silicone that withstand temperatures up to 300°C. Not only does the Fire X withstand extremely high temperatures for long periods of time, but it is also fire-retardant and non-flammable in itself.
In comparison to intumescent seals and profiles that expand when exposed to high temperatures, Fire X profiles, for example, are airtight in all temperatures. This prevents the spread of smoke, carbon monoxide, and other dangerous gases to other rooms or compartments before the temperature rises to a certain level. Since carbon monoxide can reach dangerous levels without an actual fire, Fire X seals are significantly safer than seals and profiles that only prevent the spreading of fires.
Furthermore, if the compartments are sealed air-tight with Fire X profiles, they will significantly slow the spread of fire or even suffocate the flames in certain conditions. In normal conditions, the Fire X profiles act as normal silicone profiles, unlike intumescent seals that have little to no sealing capability without high temperatures.
WHY ARE FIREPROOF SEALS AND PROFILES IMPORTANT?
Fireproof seals and profiles are incredibly important for several reasons. First and foremost, they can help to save lives in the event of a fire. By containing flames and smoke in the area where the fire originated, these seals and profiles provide occupants or passengers with more time to evacuate the building or vehicle safely. Additionally, fireproof seals and profiles can help to prevent extensive damage to the building, vehicle, or the possessions and cargo inside, as they can help to contain the fire in a smaller area.
Fireproof seals and profiles are also essential for meeting building codes and regulations. In most jurisdictions, building codes require the use of fireproof seals and profiles in specific applications, such as around doors, windows, and other openings. Specific areas within buildings or compartments often have different fire classification requirements, which can be met with different seals and profiles. By using these components, building owners and operators can ensure that their buildings are in compliance with local regulations and are as safe as possible for occupants. In public transportation, the criteria are similar to those, but with certain additions or alterations. First and foremost, they can help to save lives in the event of a fire.
Fireproof seals and profiles are essential components of any building that is designed to withstand the damaging effects of fire. By sealing gaps and openings in walls, floors, and ceilings, these components can help to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, giving occupants or passengers valuable time to evacuate the building or vehicle safely. If you are involved in the design, construction, or maintenance of a building, it is essential that you understand the importance of fireproof seals and profiles and ensure that they are used appropriately in your building. In the maritime, railway, military, or transportation industry, the importance of fireproof seals and profiles can be even more important, as the environment is a lot different, and the first responders may have difficulties in reaching the site fast enough.
DID YOU KNOW?
Where are fireproof seals used? Many of our fireproof seals go into rolling stock or maritime transportation, but these seals are used for plenty of other applications as well; here are just a few examples of them!
| BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION |
| Public buildings have very strict construction and furnishing guidelines when it comes to fire safety. Doors, for example, should have seals that will prevent or, at the very least, slow the spread of fire in case of an emergency. |
| AUTOMOTIVES |
| In automotive, there are plenty of different seals that must withstand high temperatures. These include practically all seals placed near the engine, like exhaust manifold gaskets, valve stem seals, and oil seals. |
| AEROSPACE |
| Jet engine components are exposed to very high temperatures and pressure and thus require high resistance from their seals. |
| INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT |
| Seals used in heat exchangers, furnaces, industrial ovens, and kilns, for example, require high-temperature resistance. |
| MANUFACTURING |
| Molding and casting, as well as the glass and metal industries, use seals in molds and equipment that have to handle the temperatures of molten glass, metal, and other materials. |
| POWER GENERATION |
| Many components in nuclear reactors and gas and steam turbines require seals that operate at high temperatures. |
FIRE X – A FIREPROOF SILICONE PROFILE BY V.A.V. GROUP
What is Fire X?
V.A.V. Group developed Fire X profiles for fire-rated applications such as fire doors, trains, urban transport, and maritime transport. They are used in conditions that require a high thermal resistance (< +270 °C) and where the seal must slow the spread of fire in extreme conditions. The primary material used in Fire X is silicone or TPV, with fire-retardant agents added to it.
Fire X is a silicone profile enhanced with fire-retardant and halogen-free materials. In short, the seals and profiles (along with other materials used in trains and their interiors) cannot ignite easily, burn aggressively at any point, or emit toxic fumes when predisposed to extreme heat. Fire X profiles are treated so that they will not burn but rather smolder and char even at the highest temperatures, maintaining their ability to prevent fires from spreading. This is a crucial feature for any profiles used in doors, windows, and latches on rolling stock.
Halogen-free profiles enhance the safety of railway passengers, as they will not be exposed to toxic gases but also the safety of firefighters. Halogen gases are also highly corrosive, which may cause further damage to other components of the vehicle (or building).
We produce Fire X profiles entirely at our manufacturing site in Ii, northern Finland. Using our own recipe and carefully selected raw materials, we can ensure our clients that our Fire X profiles meet the highest standards for fire-retardant profiles.
FIRE X DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING
The main raw material that is used for Fire X is silicone, but TPV, while not as heat resistant, is also an option for some components. A basic silicone profile will burn through fairly quickly, as many basic materials do. For silicone Fire X, chemicals are added to the raw silicone material that gives it heat and fire retardant properties. When Fire X catches fire, only the surface will burn momentarily but any flames die out quickly because of its fire-retardant constitution. Fire X has been developed to fit European standards in railway applications and is regularly tested to ensure its quality.
Our testing for Fire X is outsourced and measures various aspects in a controlled environment. The tests are used to time how long the material takes to burn, how much smoke is generated, and what kind of toxicity levels are found in the smoke. Smoke and gas tests have strict directions and conditions, from how the test chamber and specimen are prepared to how the data is collected and analyzed. The goal of these tests is to ensure that in the case of a fire, the material will slow down the spread and produce a minimal amount of smoke into the environment.
Sometimes the materials are tested in collaboration with the client to see how the material behaves in its intended use or environment. This can mean, for example, testing the whole component, such as a train door.
The fire-retardant Fire X profile ensures the safety of the crew and passengers and has the following fire safety certificates:
- IMO FTPC Part 2 & 5
- UL 94 V Classification V0
- EN 45545-2
EN 45545-2:2020
V.A.V. Group’s self-extinguishing Fire X silicone has passed the most demanding railway transportation safety tests and is now classified as HL3 level profiles according to the EN 45545-2:2020 standard. The Fire X material has passed the tests before, but now we have reached the highest level of fire safety. The renewed Fire X product is known as Fire X 2023.
Manufacturers of materials, components, and systems used in railway vehicles must ensure that their products comply with the relevant fire safety requirements specified in EN 45545-2:2020. The standard is part of the broader effort to harmonize safety standards for railway systems across Europe. It helps ensure consistent fire safety standards for railway vehicles in European countries.
It’s important to note that the EN 45545 series is part of a larger framework of European standards related to railway safety, and it works in conjunction with other standards that cover different aspects of railway systems and components. Compliance with EN 45545-2:2020 is essential for manufacturers and operators to ensure the fire safety of railway vehicles and to protect passengers and personnel in the event of a fire.
CURRENT APPLICATIONS FOR FIRE X
Because the railway industry demands such high standards for fire safety, the Fire X can be easily used in other environments with less strict requirements. The halogen-free Fire X does not burst into flames at any temperature, nor does it emit toxic fumes, so it is a safe choice for small enclosures as well as large rooms or buildings. For example, the building and automotive industries have their own standards, but Fire X meets them in most cases. Of course, there are other alternatives, such as our silicone or TPV profiles, which can also be treated to enhance their natural heat-resistant properties even further. For example, server rooms are often equipped with automatic fire extinguishers that protect the rest of the building in case of fire in the server room itself, but sealing the doors with a simple solution could enhance fire safety even further.
We produce Fire X profiles entirely at our manufacturing site in Ii, northern Finland. Using our own recipe and carefully selected raw materials, we can ensure our clients that our Fire X profiles meet the highest standards for fire-retardant profiles.
