What is a Fire-Rated Board?

What is a Fire-Rated Board?

A fire-rated board, commonly referred to as a fire batt to seasoned professionals, is made up of high-density mineral fiber board, overcoated with a fire-resistant ablative coating like our FR Coating. It is specially designed to seal openings in fire-rated walls and floors to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and hot gases through service penetrations created for pipes, cables, and other building systems.

These boards play a vital role in maintaining the fire compartmentation in buildings, helping to contain fire in a single area for a defined period and allowing safe evacuation while limiting structural damage.

THE ROLE OF FIRE BATTS IN PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION

Fire batts are a core component of many passive fire protection systems. They are used in conjunction with other fire-stopping products, such as FR Acrylic or FR Pipe Wrap, to restore the fire resistance of walls and floors that have been penetrated by building services. Once installed, fire batts help maintain not only fire integrity but also acoustic and thermal performance.

INTRODUCING PROTECTA FR BOARD

Protecta FR Board is a high-performance fire-rated batt developed and manufactured by Polyseam. It consists of a dense stone wool core coated with Protecta® FR Coating, a fire-resistant sealant that significantly reduces permeability and heat transfer.

Designed for use in fire-rated walls and floors, Protecta FR Board is suitable for a wide range of applications including:

• Service penetrations (pipes, cables, ducts)
• Linear seals between different substrates
• Barriers behind claddings and facades
• Raised access floor voids
• Internal partition walls

Key Features of Protecta® FR Board

• Tested to EN 1366-3, -4 & -12 for use in various fire seal applications
• Classified for EI ratings up to 120 minutes (fire integrity and insulation)
• Versatile compatibility with concrete, masonry, steel, timber, and more
• Available with 1- or 2-sided coating for different fire resistance needs
• Combinable with Protecta® FR Acrylic and FR Flexi Board
• Quick and easy to install, with minimal site disruption
• Suitable for drywalls, including those with steel or timber studs

Tested Applications and Approvals

Protecta FR Board holds CE and UKCA certifications, with ETA and UKTA approvals. It has been tested to cover a wide range of fire scenarios and service configurations, including:

• Multiple types of pipework (metal, plastic, composite)
• Cable trays and conduits
• Linear gaps and blank seals
• Raised access floors

ACOUSTIC, THERMAL AND AIR SEALING PERFORMANCE

In addition to fire stopping, Protecta® FR Board also offers:

• Sound insulation up to Rw 60 dB, depending on installation type
• Thermal conductivity of 0.037 W/mK
• Air tightness, tested according to EN 1026:2016
• Environmental compliance, including Blue Angel, BREEAM, LEED and WELL

WHY FIRE-RATED BOARDS MATTER MORE THAN EVER

As building safety regulations become more stringent, especially following the UK’s transition from BS 476 to the EN 13501 classification system, using certified and tested fire-stopping materials is no longer optional.

With Protecta FR Board, specifiers and contractors can meet and exceed regulatory requirements while ensuring robust safety and performance.

LEARN MORE OR REQUEST SUPPORT

If you’re working on a project that involves service penetrations or requires compartmentation integrity, our team is here to help.

Visit our Product Page or email technical@polyseam.com for specification support and training opportunities.

For more information on fire batts, linear seals, and tested fire stopping systems — get in touch today.