Precast Firewalls

Precast Concrete Firewall Panels

The ACP precast concrete firewall system is a fast track construction method for fire containment walls providing up to 4 hours fire rating.

Interlocking prestressed concrete panels span between building columns to produce foundation free, smooth, firewalls which in addition can perform the duties of security or retaining walls.

Alternatively the precast firewall units may be used vertically to produce fire containment compartments within clear spans of buildings.

Precast concrete panels are manufactured to suit individual requirements and are available in a range of widths (0.5m, 0.7m, 1m, 1.1m 1.2m, 1.5m) that can be combined to achieve the desired wall height. The flexibility of manufacture enables the precast wall panels to be produced to almost any size to suit the building layout.

The precast concrete firewall panels are manufactured in three standard thicknesses (design specification) and various fire exposure ratings. Most prestressed concrete panels have a standard fire rating of one hour exposure however for longer fire exposure our engineers can design the panels to increase this rating to four hours in the most extreme case.

Modern Method of Construction

As with most Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the precast concrete firewall panel system is designed to provide rapid construction of fire containment walls in many types of building.

The rapid construction offers the developer many advantages:

• Precast concrete panels are delivered to site made to measure. Manufactured in controlled environment,factory conditions the panels are quickly erected to provide high quality precast concrete walls.
• The developer can achieve significant programme benefits for following trades and to the overall project.
• The precast concrete solution eliminates wet trades associated with traditional construction techniques.
• Installation progress of the new precast firewall panel system is almost independent of weather conditions. A team of 2 or 3 men can install 200m² per day.

Benefits of the Precast Concrete Panel System

The owner and/or user of the building benefits from the durability of the precast firewall panel system:

Smooth Internal Finish - The high strength precast concrete panels give a smooth internal finish to the building and eliminates worries about damp ingress or pest infestations within the walls. The smooth surface of the precast concrete firewall is suitable for painting with little or no preparation.

Durable - In addition the precast concrete firewall panels are resistant to accidental impact without compromising the fire rating of the wall. The density and durability of the precast concrete gives long maintenance-free service for the firewalls.

Movable - Precast concrete horizontal wall panels can be dismantled and relocated to provide alterations to sub divisions and to facilitate future extension to the structure.

 
Applications

Full height precast concrete fire walling between store areas and office or amenity areas provide durable firewall solutions in both retail and warehouse buildings.

In situations where blast loads are to be accommodated, the prestressed concrete wall panels are designed to contain these blast forces. Protection of vital fire escapes require the inclusion of fire doors within the blast wall or firewall panels, these can be designed into the precast concrete blast wall panels often eliminating the requirement for special framing or support structures.

Installation

ACP Concrete's installation service is part of the complete design and build precast package available to customers. Installation of the concrete panels is quick & simple and is usually carried out using a telehandler in place of more expensive cranage. This cuts installation costs and brings added flexibility to the progress of work on site.

Alternatively help and advice for safe handling and installation of the precast units by your own contractor is available as documentation or as a supervisory site visit.  For a brief step by step photo guide click here.