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Foam Sandwich Panel, also know as expanded polystyrene paneling, is an important building product for New Zealand's primary industry. But, due to its fire-spread characteristics, it does need special care with design, construction, maintenance and fire risk management.

The following "Insurance Council Staying in Business" check-sheet for foam sandwich panel installations should serve as a useful guide for fire protection.

• No bare exposure of any plastic core material should occur
• Repair of any panel perforation or other damage should be undertaken immediately
• Sealing of all service penetrations should be adequately maintained at all times
• Wiring penetrations should be maintained in metal conduit or adequate fire stopping
• No exposure of core material to temperatures >75º should occur
• Any new hot flue, vent, duct or similar should be supported by a suitable fire report
• Grease/oil/solid particle carrying flues, vents, ducts or similar should be inspected regularly and any necessary cleaning completed without delay
• A detailed annual inspection and maintenance report should be completed for all electrical wiring, lighting, other fittings and machinery items, with particluar attention paid to potential hot spots. Any remedial action should be completed without delay
• Safe work permit system (ie hot work permit scheme) should be in place and fully operative at all times.

Plus

The following supplementary "cold work" control:

• No heat producing cutting/drilling equipment should be used directly on panels (only cold cutting methods such as shearing [hand operated tools], low speed or cooled/lubricated drills or hand saws should be used)
• Total prohibition on use of heated rods or similar to make small holes through core
• No equipment should be retro mounted on panels unless through bolted and supported properly
• No post job core exposure should occur (ie all penetrations sealed/joint covers etc replaced as job progresses)
• All job waste and associated combustibles should be removed immediately
• Smoking actively prohibited in or against building
• Re-fuelling forklift trucks/other vehicles should be actively prohibited in or against the building
• 3m clear fire break should be maintained continuously for fork lift recharging area (unless area if fire insulated 3m in all directions)
• All external fire loads should be actively prohibited with 10m of building (unless building is fully sprinkler protected and approved external drenching sprinklers installed)
• Unauthorised access to the external cladding should be prevented to reduce the possibility of an arson attack
• Housekeeping should be the subject of ongoing regular recorded inspections.

 

 

 

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