Fire resistance of a partition is the ability of a building element to limit the passage of high temperatures during a fire. It determines how long a partition protects against heat on the side not directly exposed to the fire. It is one of the essential parameters for the fire safety of a building. The fire performance of a partition is assessed over a specified period of time, expressed in minutes. During this time, the partition should not exceed the permissible temperature rise on the non-heated side. This reduces the risk of ignition of materials and danger to people. The fire performance depends on the type of materials, their thickness and the layered construction.
The quality of workmanship and the tightness of the joints are also of great importance. Even small leaks can reduce the effectiveness of the protection, which is why in practice multilayer systems are often used to better retard heat transfer. Fire resistance of a partition affects evacuation times and the actions of the emergency services. The right choice of solutions increases occupant safety and reduces the effects of fire.
