Mayplas foil faced slab gains limited combustibility classification for fire protection applications
Iain Hoey
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Why Mayplas’ new fire protection slab matters for building safety
Mayplas foil faced slab achieves A2-s1, d0 classification
Mayplas has announced that its two-sided foil faced thermal and acoustic slab has been classified as a limited combustibility product following testing to BS EN 13501-1.
The product, now named the Mayplas Thermafire A2 Foil Faced Slab, achieved a Reaction to Fire rating of A2-s1, d0.
According to the company, this classification enables the slab to be used in applications where Reaction to Fire performance is a design priority, alongside its acoustic and thermal functions.
Mayplas said the slab is suitable for insulated spandrel panel zones within glazed curtain wall systems and for a wide range of other construction uses.
Product specifications and design options
The Thermafire A2 Foil Faced Slab is available in thicknesses from 50mm to 250mm.
Mayplas stated that this allows designers to achieve thermal performance in line with requirements set out in Approved Document L for England and Wales and the Scottish Technical Handbooks.
Customers can select from five nominal densities – 33, 45, 60, 80 and 100kg/m³ – to meet their specification needs.
According to the company, the slabs are supplied in standard dimensions of 1200mm x 600mm and can be cut to size on site.
Bespoke dimensions can also be produced to suit project requirements and to help reduce waste during installation.
Suitable applications and installation
Mayplas said the Thermafire A2 Foil Faced Slab can be integrated into both new and retrofit glazed spandrel panel systems.
Michael Hunter, Technical Director at Mayplas, explained: “In insulated glazed spandrel zones, insulation of limited combustibility is required. That is, it must meet a minimum of Reaction to Fire A2-s1, d0 according to BS EN 13501-1.”
“It also allows us to respond to design requirements where insulation must not add to the fire load if a fire occurs in that zone. Our Thermafire A2 Foil Faced Slab reduces that risk.”
The company added that the product can also be used in other applications.
These include metal ceiling grids, mechanically fixed timber installations such as roof eaves, free-standing use in cavities, integration with plasterboard or A1/A2 facing boards, and concrete applications such as lift shafts.
Mayplas advised designers and contractors to consult the product datasheet for detailed guidance on application suitability.
Company background and manufacturing
Mayplas is a member of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection and the Structural Timber Association.
The company manufactures fire, acoustic and thermal insulation products at its facility in Bury, Greater Manchester.
It supplies products to architects, contractors, developers, distributors and merchants across the UK.
Mayplas is part of the Performance Technology Group.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The A2-s1, d0 classification for the Mayplas Thermafire A2 Foil Faced Slab provides verified assurance for building designers and contractors working on glazed curtain wall systems and insulated spandrel panels.
This enables specifiers to use an insulation material that limits fire load contribution in façade assemblies while maintaining acoustic and thermal performance.
Architects, fire engineers and building services professionals may find the slab relevant when designing to meet fire resistance and energy efficiency standards within Approved Document L and the Scottish Technical Handbooks.
The wide range of densities and thicknesses also allows mechanical and electrical engineers to select suitable configurations for integration in various building zones, including lift shafts and ceiling voids.
Contractors involved in retrofit projects can additionally benefit from the option to order bespoke dimensions to minimise material waste and installation time.