Correct Fire Insulation Saves Lives

Fire prevention is particularly important in buildings where people gather in large numbers to prevent loss of life and property from fire. Using products with A1 non-combustible properties for insulation in buildings is one of the most effective ways to ensure fire safety. Loss of life and property can be prevented and fire safety ensured through effective insulation systems applied in buildings from foundation to roof, from walls to flooring and installations. Additionally, this insulation contributes to energy savings. According to the 2019 Statistics Report from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department, 12,040 structural fires occurred in Istanbul alone. Factory fires in Istanbul showed a 14% increase between 2015-2019. Across Turkey, approximately 400 factories or industrial buildings experience fire or explosions annually. Fire is unfortunately deeply embedded in our living spaces and poses significant risk. In a building with inadequate or incorrectly applied insulation materials, fire certainly increases this risk further. With proper insulation and the correct materials, structures prevent flames from spreading rapidly, while toxic smoke generation is also prevented. This way, poisoning from extremely dangerous smoke is avoided.

Insulation made especially with mineral wool insulation material gains valuable minutes during escape from fire and until the fire department arrives at the scene, reducing risk and damage.

İzocam focuses on fire safety in addition to thermal and acoustic insulation in its developed products. İzocam emphasizes the importance of obtaining support from a specialist company from the project design stage through procurement, using the correct material in the correct location in compliance with regulations, paying attention to system integrity, and having the application carried out by qualified personnel. İzocam General Director Murat Savcı stresses that fire safety is of vital importance. Reminding that one of the most important solutions provided by insulation is fire safety, Savcı states: "The rapid construction development, new industrial projects and urban transformation in recent years should be evaluated as an opportunity to increase fire-safe structures. Non-combustible glass wool and stone wool products selected in compliance with the Regulation on Protection of Buildings from Fire should be indispensable choices… Fire insulation varies depending on the height and location of buildings. The regulation requires the use of A1 non-combustible mineral wool in rendered external facade thermal insulation system applications in buildings 28.5 meters and higher for fire safety. In case plastic products are used, fire barriers must be applied. Furthermore, according to the regulation, the use of materials classified as non-combustible A class in floor separations of tall buildings has become mandatory. Glass wool and stone wool, which are resistant to high temperatures, provide high protection in fire insulation," he says. İzocam's recent product developments clearly demonstrate the importance it places on fire safety. Products such as İzocam Partition Board (ABL) and Partition Board R+ (ABL R+), Facade Board, İzocam Industrial Building Board (EBL) developed for industrial buildings, and İzocam Industrial Building Board R+ (EBL R+) are all A1 non-combustible products. The Partition Board (ABL) was developed for use in light partitions using recyclable materials. İzocam Mineral Ceiling Board used in the ceiling insulation of parking floors became another İzocam product offering fire safety. Under the 'Parking Regulation' prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and entered into force on 1 June 2018, this product, which is 100 percent fire-resistant, can be used in parking ceiling insulation, which has become mandatory.

Fire Safety Investment Protects Industrial Structures

Growing needs and investments increase demand for structures such as shopping malls where hundreds of businesses and thousands of people are located together. Large-scale business sectors also necessitate the construction of large office centers and industrial structures. In this context, the need for insulation and especially fire-safe insulation solutions against potential fire increases. Particularly foreign-invested organizations investing in Turkey require the use of A-class materials for fire safety in the roofs and walls of their facilities. Murat Savcı reminds that according to new European fire standards, A-class non-combustible materials are only mineral wools (glass wool and stone wool). Savcı states: "We especially convey our messages on every platform regarding serious attention to insulation in industrial and industrial structures. Because fire insulation ensures the safety of structures and thus the continuity of investment. Ensuring fire safety in industrial structures means protecting investment. With our products, we address industrial and industrial structures and offer quality systems that can be used in every type of building element. In our Tekiz facility, we manufacture mineral wool insulated panels under the İzocam Tekiz brand in accordance with Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) criteria. These panels are preferred in structures requiring high fire safety or buildings where flammable and explosive materials are stored. Mineral wool insulated panels emerge as a fire-resistant composite system thanks to the metal outer shell and mineral wool layer in the "A" non-combustibility class used as insulation filling." As a result of tests performed by ERA Management Testing and Certification Services, İzocam Tekiz Mineral Wool Panel (Tekiz Stone Wool Panel) was evaluated according to integrity and insulation criteria. Following this evaluation, İzocam Tekiz Mineral Wool Panel (Tekiz Stone Wool Panel) obtained "E160" 60-minute fire-resistant and "E120" fire-resistant panel certification with the integrity criteria it achieved. The Tekiz Stone Wool Roof Panel, which successfully met all carrying, integrity and insulation criteria, holds "REI120" 120-minute fire-resistant panel certification.