This paper discusses the main problems related to the fire resistance of aluminium glazed partitions, including the tests methodology and way of classification of this type of elements. Moreover, the paper presents the comparison of fire resistance test results of glazed partition test specimens, depending on the number of insulation inserts placed inside the aluminium structure profiles. To made the comparison the specimens with the same transom – mullion structure were tested in two configurations and with two filling solutions – with profiles filled only in the middle part and with fully filled profiles

Izydorczyk, Daniel

Kinowski, Jacek

Sulik, Paweł

Sędłak, Bartłomiej

English

CTU Open Journal Systems (Czech Technical University, Prague / České vysoké učení technické v Praze)

Applications of Structural Fire Engineering, 15-16 October 2015, Dubrovnik, CroatiaFIRE RESISTANCE TESTS OF ALUMINIUM GLAZED PARTITIONSResults comparisonBartłomiej Sędłak, Jacek Kinowski, Daniel Izydorczyk, Paweł SulikBuilding Research Institute, Fire Research Department, Ksawerów 21 St., 02-656 Warsaw, PolandAbstractThis paper discusses the main problems related to the fire resistance of aluminium glazed partitions,including the tests methodology and way of classification of this type of elements. Moreover, thepaper presents the comparison of fire resistance test results of glazed partition test specimens,depending on the number of insulation inserts placed inside the aluminium structure profiles. Tomade the comparison the specimens with the same transom – mullion structure were tested in twoconfigurations and with two filling solutions – with profiles filled only in the middle part and withfully filled profiles.Keywords: glazed partition, aluminium profiles, insulation inserts, integrity, fire resistance1 INTRODUCTIONThe partition wall is a type of the inner wall in the building. It does not form the structure, and thusis designed in such a way that it is not exposed to any other loads beyond its own weight.According to the regulations of many European Union countries (in case of buildings for a specificpurpose, e.g., hospitals, hotels) partition walls as a non-load bearing elements of building should bedesigned and constructed in such a way that in case of fire it will limit the spread of fire and smokein the building, allow the evacuation of users and ensure the safety of rescue team. Therefore, in thistype of buildings partition walls shall fulfil the requirements of fire resistance. There are manytypes of fire resistance partitions commonly used in Europe (e.g., gypsum-plasterboards walls,sandwich panel walls, steel glazed partitions, timber glazed partitions or aluminium glazedpartitions). Because of the subject only the last one from listed above will be discussed in thispaper. Fire resistance class of aluminium glazed partitions cannot be calculated or assessed on thebasis of its project. The only way to determine the real fire resistance class is to perform the fireresistance test.2 TECHNICAL SOLUTIONSAluminium glazed partitions with a specific fire resistance class have a frame (mullion – transom)structure in which the areas between the aluminium profiles are filled with special fire resistantglass panes. The most commonly used in practice are three-chamber profiles made of twoaluminium parts connected by means of thermal separators (e.g., made of polyamide reinforcedwith glass fiber). In order to ensure the insulation and reduce the adverse impact of thermal effects,chambers of the profiles are filled with the insulation inserts (e.g., made of plasterboard, cementsilicate or calcium silicate). The use of three-chamber profiles is a reasonable option from aneconomic point of view – at the same profiles by changing the type or the volume of fulfillment orsize of thermal insulator (change of cross-section of the middle chamber) can be achieved differentclasses of fire resistance. (Sędłak, 2013).The glass panes are fixed to the profiles by means of properly arranged steel angles, covered with“clip on” or screwed on glazing beads. Important elements in the profile structure are intumescentgaskets placed on the perimeter of the glass panes. Intumescent gaskets expands under the influenceof high temperatures and close the spaces through which the fire could get to the other side of thepartition.(Sędłak et al., 2014)Example profile cross-section is presented in fig. 1.Fig. 1 Example profile cross-section (Sędłak, 2015)Increasingly common in the market solution is “fully glazed partition” (Sędłak, 2014), in which thealuminium profiles are used only along the perimeter of the partition, mullions are replaced by aspecial fireproof silicone or intumescent gaskets, and the transoms in most cases do not occur.(Sędłak, 2015)3 FIRE RESISTANCE TESTS AND CLASSIFICATIONAs it was written in the first chapter the only way to determine the real fire resistance class of thespecific aluminium glazed partition is to perform the fire resistance test of its fully representativespecimen (including any surface finishes and fittings which are essential and may influence itsbehavior in the test). If the partition wall has a symmetrical cross-section, then it is sufficient to testit only from one side. In other case, it is necessary to check the wall from both sides in order to getfully assessment.Heating of the test specimen is held by the standard temperature-time curve, presented by the solidline in fig. 2, which is taken as an appropriate to reflect the fully developed, following the flashoverfire inside the building.Fig. 2 Temperature-time curves, solid line – standard curve, dashed line – external fire curve (Sędłak, 2014)During the fire resistance test of aluminium glazed partitions the effectiveness of the followingperformance criteria can be verified: integrity (E), insulation (I) and radiation (W).Integrity is the ability of glazed partition test specimen, when exposed to fire on one side, to preventthe passage through it of hot gases and flames and to prevent the occurrence of flames on theunexposed side. During the test integrity is verified: visually (it fails when on the unexposed surface of tested specimen flaming longer than 10 soccurs), by means of cotton pad, which is used against the unexposed surface of tested specimen, formax. of 30 s, or until ignition (defined as glowing or flaming), by means of gap gauges (integrity fails if the 6 mm gap gauge can be passed through the testspecimen and can be moved a distance of 150 mm along the gap, or if the 25 mm gap gaugecan be passed through the test specimen such that it projects into the furnace).Insulation is the ability of glazed partition test specimen when exposed to fire on one side, torestrict the temperature rise of the unexposed face to below specified levels. The temperature riseon the unexposed surface of tested specimen is verified with thermocouples attached with use ofheat resistant adhesive. Thermocouples are attached in the specific places given in the appropriatestandard. (Roszkowski et al., 2011)In case of aluminium glazed partitions, in order to maintain its insulation – maximum temperaturerise on the profiles cannot be greater than 180 K and average temperature rise on each glazingcannot be greater than 140 K.Radiation is the ability of a glazed partition test specimen, when exposed to fire on one side, toprevent the passage of the fire, due to the transfer of significant heat through the element or throughits unexposed surface to the adjacent materials. Radiation in the test is measured with theradiometer placed in the distance of 1 m from the geometric center of the unexposed surface oftested specimen. Radiation is evaluated on the basis of the time at which the maximum radiationmeasured does not exceed 15 kW/m2.Moreover, during the test deflection of the test specimen shall be measured although there are noperformance criteria associated with it.  The deflection of the test specimen may be important indetermining the direct and/ or extended field of application field of application of the testresult.(Sulik, et al., 2015)Classification of aluminium glazed partition fire resistance is prepared basing on the test resultspresented in test report. According to the European Union provisions the fire resistance test shall beperformed in accordance with EN 1364-1:1999 and the classification shall be compiled inaccordance with the requirements given in EN 13501-2:2009.Table 1 Possible fire resistance classes (Sędłak et al., 2012)E 20 30 60 90 120EI 15 20 30 45 60 90 120 180 240EW 20 30 60 90 120(E – integrity, I – insulation, W – radiation, M – resistance to mechanical impact)4 TEST RESULTS COMPARISONFour test specimens of glazed aluminium partitions (two dimensions of 415 x 415 cm, width xheight and two dimensions of 405 x 350 cm, width x height), were tested in Fire Testing Laboratoryof Building Research Institute in Pionki. Configuration of tested specimen is presented in fig. 3.The specimens were made of the same 3-chamber aluminium profiles filled with the same type ofinsulation inserts. The profiles cross section of 46 x 80 mm (width x depth) were made of twoaluminium elements connected by means of thermal separator (34 mm) made of polyamidereinforced with glass fiber. For each test specimen configuration two different solutions of profileinsulation were used – profiles were filled only in the middle chamber or in all three chambers.Details of the test specimens are presented in table 2. Test results comparison was made for thetemperature rises recorded on the middle mullion (Mullion No. 1) and on the mullion placed on thefixed edge (Mullion No. 2).Fig. 3 Test specimens configurationTable 2 Details of tested specimensTest specimen No. Configuration from fig. 3/ symbol in fig. 4 - 6Profile insulation solution /symbol in fig. 4 – 6 Glazing thickness1 1 / H1 middle chamber / I1 17 mm2 1 / H1 full / I2 27 mm3 2 / H2 middle chamber / I1 17 mm4 2 / H2 gull / I2 27 mmFigure 4 presents the comparison of average temperature rises on mullion No. 1. Figure 5 presentsthe comparison of average temperature rises on mullion No. 2. Differences between the averagetemperature rises on the unexposed surface of mullions are presented in fig. 6.Fig. 4 Comparison of average temperature rises on the mullion No.1 (M1_H1_I1 – Mullion No. 1,configuration No. 1, middle chamber filled, M1_H1_I3 – Mullion No. 1, configuration No. 1, all chambersfilled, M1_H2_I1 – Mullion No. 1, configuration No. 2, middle chamber filled, M1_H2_I3 – Mullion No. 1,configuration No. 2, all chambers filled)Fig. 5 Comparison of average temperature rises on the mullion No.2 (M2_H1_I1 – Mullion No. 2,configuration No. 1, middle chamber filled, M2_H1_I3 – Mullion No. 2, configuration No. 1, all chambersfilled, M2_H2_I1 – Mullion No. 2, configuration No. 2, middle chamber filled, M2_H2_I3 – Mullion No. 2,configuration No. 2, all chambers filled)Fig. 6 Differences between the average temperature rises on the unexposed surface of mullions (M1_H1 –Mullion No. 1, configuration No. 1, M2_H1 – Mullion No. 2, configuration No. 1, M1_H2 – Mullion No. 1,configuration No. 2, M2_H2_I3 – Mullion No. 2, configuration No. 2)5 CONCLUSIONSFire resistance of aluminium glazed partitions depends on many factors of the system solution suchas: type of glazing, glazing fixing, profile material and shape, type and volume of used insulationinserts. Even a slight change in the structure of the glazed partition can significantly reduce its fireresistance and therefore determining the real fire resistance class of partition wall is only possibleon the basis of fire resistance test results.The graphs presented in Fig. 4 – 6 shows the influence of the insulation inserts volume on thetemperature rises on the surface of the glazed partition mullion profiles in the first 31 minute of thetest. The interesting fact is that between about 8 and 12 minute of the test for mullions in theconfiguration 2 and for edge mullion of configuration 1 the temperature was greater on the profileswhich were theoretically better insulated. Also in this time period the difference between thetemperatures recorded on the middle mullion of configuration No. 1 significantly decreased. Thisphenomenon may be related with the properties of insulation inserts, behavior of fire resistant glassor intumescent gaskets, however its full explanation requires future tests.REFERENCESRoszkowski P., Sędłak B., 2011. Metodyka badań odporności ogniowej przeszklonych ścian działowych.Świat Szkła, 16(9), p. 59-64.Sędłak B., 2013. Systemy przegród aluminiowo szklanych o określonej klasie odporności ogniowej. ŚwiatSzkła, 18(10), p. 30-33,41.Sędłak B., 2014. Badania odporności ogniowej przeszklonych ścian działowych. Świat Szkła, 19(2), p. 30-33.Sędłak B., 2014. Bezszprosowe szklane ściany działowe o określonej klasie odporności ogniowej. ŚwiatSzkła, 19(11), p. 24,26,28,30.Sędłak B., 2014. Odporność ogniowa ścian osłonowych z dużymi przeszkleniami – Część 1. Świat Szkła,19(3), p. 16-19,25.Sędłak B., 2015. Bezpieczeństwo pożarowe przeszklonych ścian działowych. Świat Szkła, 20(5),p. 34-40.Sędłak B., Izydorczyk D., Sulik P., 2014. Fire Resistance of timber glazed partitions. Annals of WarsawUniversity of Life Sciences - SGGW Forestery and Wood Technology, 85, p. 221-225.Sędłak B., Roszkowski P., 2012. Klasyfikacja w zakresie odporności ogniowej przeszklonych ściandziałowych. Świat Szkła, 17(7-8), p. 54-59.Sulik P., Sędłak B., 2015. Odporność ogniowa drewnianych przeszklonych ścian działowych. Świat Szkła,20(3), p. 43-48, 56

FIRE RESISTANCE TESTS OF ALUMINIUM GLAZED PARTITIONS, Results comparison

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FIRE RESISTANCE TESTS OF ALUMINIUM GLAZED PARTITIONS, Results comparison

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