Isorock® sandwich panels from ThyssenKrupp Hoesch Bausysteme GmbH were classified as A2 non-combustible building materials in November 2003. This means that isorock® can now also be used for dividing walls, which are required to be constructed as firewalls under section 5.8.4 of the German industrial building code. So far, these walls have been built from concrete. ThyssenKrupp Hoesch Bausysteme is the first German supplier able to offer a cost-effect alternative made from steel elements. The exact classification for isorock® in approval Z-10.4-235, section 1.2 and 3.3 is: A2-s1,d0 according to DIN 13501-1.

Firewalls are required to prevent the spread of fire and smoke to other building sections or other buildings and must not lose their stability even under prolonged fire exposure. Under the industrial building code, double walls of fire resistance class F 90 made from non-combustible materials are also permissible as firewalls. The wall-supporting elements must have the same fire rating. Isorock® panels from ThyssenKrupp Hoesch Bausysteme in Kreuztal already met F 90 requirements, as certified by the Building Inspectorate. The new classification means that isorock® can now finally be used for dividing walls meeting the highest fire protection requirements.

Isorock® sandwich panels consist of steel cover sheets connected with high shear resistance to a core of stone wool. The cover sheets have a hot-dipped coating consisting of 95 percent zinc and five percent aluminum and a paint top coat for additional corrosion protection and an attractive decorative effect. Customers can choose from a wide range of colors. The panels are available in thicknesses from 60 to 160 millimeters and lengths up to 16 meters. The standard width is 1,000 millimeters. F 90 fire resistance requirements are met by panels with thicknesses upwards of 100 millimeters containing insulating material type D2. Isorock® panels in thicknesses from 120 millimeters containing this insulating material even meet the requirements of fire resistance class F 120.

Using isorock® for firewalls saves time and money. Isorock® firewalls can be erected up to 40 percent faster than comparable concrete walls, often without the heavy cranes needed for prefabricated concrete elements. Plus: Isorock® walls are lighter, they can be retrofitted without causing major disruptions to plant operations, and can be removed again if required.

Isorock® panels also offer advantages in terms of thermal insulation. The heat transfer coefficient of a 100 millimeter thick isorock® panel is only 0.42. To achieve the same level of insulation, a concrete wall would have to be 760 millimeters thick and a brick wall 1.70 meters thick. Isorock® panel surfaces are smooth and easy to clean, another advantage for customers of ThyssenKrupp Hoesch Bausysteme GmbH.

Isorock® fire protection panels have been on the market since 1997. Initially produced in a volume of around 40,000 square meters a year, annual production is currently around 400,000 square meters. Within six years, isorock® has conquered roughly 40 percent of the German market. With its new classification as a non-combustible material, isorock® looks set for further success.

Contact:
Dietmar Stamm
Tel.: +49 203 / 52 - 2 62 67
Fax: +49 203 / 52 - 2 57 07
e-mail: dietmar.stamm@tks.thyssenkrupp.com

Bernd Overmaat
Tel.: +49 203 / 52 - 4 51 85
Fax: +49 203 / 52 - 2 57 07
e-mail: bernd.overmaat@tks.thyssenkrupp.com