Compliance

Our systems are tested specifically for the requirements outlined in the New Zealand Building Code.

We have a network of approved applicators who are experienced with application and record keeping, providing quality assurance, warranties and a compliant result.

When it comes to our offsite fire retardant system FireZone Vanguard, the quality assurance is monitored and recorded by our team to ensure the process meets compliance on every occasion.

Intumescent supply certificates and Supply Certification certificates are produced for each project. These ensure the correct amount of product has been supplied to a project and link this information directly to your building consent details.

Specification Support

Designing to a compliant standard is not always a straightforward process. Due to the limitations between compatible substates, desired aesthetic outcome and required fire ratings, our team of product specialists are here to assist on every project.

Specify through Masterspec or reach out directly: Ask us about our Green Spec options and quick reference guide for low VOC, red list free, cradle to cradle and other outcomes which can help reduce waste, and provide long term building value through use of recyclable, and planet friendly technology.

Timber & other substrates

• 6743FB Zone FireZone Vanguard Timber Fire Treatment
• 6743ZF Zone FireZone Interior Intumescent Systems
• 6743ZE Zone FireZone F1E Exterior Intumescent Timber Coating

Steel

• 6742ZP Zone Phoenix Intumescent Steel Coating
• 6742ZS Zone Shop Applied Intumescent Coatings – Steel
• 6742ZI Zone Isolatek Sprayed Fire Protection – Steel

Timber Fire Ratings

FireZone is a family of world leading coatings and fire retardant treatments available for internal and external timber substrates.

There are three types of timber fire ratings typically encountered with any commercial/public building.:

1. Internal Spread of smoke and flame – Group Ratings

• Purpose: to allow people to escape a building before the spread of smoke or flame
• Typical FR: Group 1-S, Group 1, Group 2-S, Group 2, Group 3
• Requirement: Commercial buildings which contain areas open to the public, egress routes

2. Non-combustible cladding – Type Rating

• Purpose: to stop the spread of flame either between buildings, or up the façade of a structure
• Options: Type A, Type B
• Requirement: A building within 1m of a boundary, a multilevel building over 10m in height or SI Risk Group buildings, i.e. hospitals or detention centres

3. Fire Resistance Rating – FRR

• Purpose: to ensure a structure stays standing until the fire is able to be extinguished
• Options: 30 minutes
• Requirement: As determined by Engineer, to assist with achieving AS/NZS 1530.4

The FireZone range achieves the highest performance available in New Zealand, Group 1-S and Type A.

Fire resistant rating upgrades are also available on a project specific basis.

Types Of Products

Intumescent Coatings

An intumescent coating is a type of coating that swells up and expands when exposed to heat or fire, forming a thick and protective layer of char that insulates the surface below it. Typically applied to structural steel or timber substrates, and can also be used to upgrade existing heritage construction (fibrous plaster, plasterboard, concrete, etc).

When the coating is exposed to heat or fire, the acid source reacts with the binder to produce a gas, which in turn causes the carbon source to expand and form a thick layer of foam-like char. This char layer serves as an insulating barrier that helps to slow down the transfer of heat and prevent the underlying surface from catching fire or melting.

Fire Retardants

A timber fire retardant is a treatment that is applied to wood to increase its resistance to fire. The treatment works by reducing the rate of combustion and slowing down the spread of flames across the surface of the wood.

Fire retardant pyrolytic reactions typically involve the release of water, carbon dioxide, and other gases when the treated material is exposed to heat or flames. These gases act to cool the surface of the material and reduce the concentration of oxygen, which in turn slows down or stops the pyrolytic reaction and prevents the spread of flames.

In addition, some fire retardants also produce a protective dense layer of char when exposed to heat or flames. This layer of char acts as a barrier, preventing oxygen from reaching the underlying material and reducing the risk of ignition or combustion.

Sustainability

Timber fire rating systems have been around for decades, and they have not always been sustainable or environmentally friendly.

However this is a key requirement of all FireZone products we source and distribute. Please see below a summary of some of the accreditations the FireZone range has achieved.

If you would like more information please reach out to our team for the latest copy of our sustainability guide.

FireZone Vanguard

• 00g/l VOC – REACH certified
• Non-corrosive
• 100% Natural substances
• 100% Non toxic
• 100% Biodegradable
• pH Neutral
• Cradle-to-Cradle Gold level certified
• No Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)
• Indoor Air Comfort ® certified (Eurofins)
• LEED v4 certified (U.S. Green Building Council, Eurofins)
• M1 emission class
• CDPH (California CDPH Standard Method, Eurofins)

FireZone 92

• Fully waterbased system, including durable waterbased topcoat
• Low VOC – 69g/L, meeting the Greenstar limit of 250g/L
• No chemicals on the Redlist

FireZone F1E

• Fully waterbased system
• Low VOC – 19g/L

FireZone 52

• Fully waterbased system
• Low VOC – 8g/L

Timber Substrates

Your choice of timber substrate will depend on the environment the timber will be located. For internal timbers in dry environments you choice is limited only by what is available on the market.

For moisture rich or external environments you will need to specify a timber species which is external durable, such as: Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, thermally modified timbers, or Accoya. Please get in touch for suggestions on which species may be appropriate for your project.

Your external cladding system choice should be guided by one of New Zealand’s established timber suppliers as this is crucial to a weathertight and durable outcome.

The substrate limitations for each FireZone system vary. Please see a reference guide below or download the technical data sheets for more information.

FireZone 92: minimum density of 338kg/m3 and minimum thickness of 9mm

FireZone 52: minimum density of 370kg/m3 and minimum thickness of 9mm

FireZone F1E: minimum density of 370kg/m3 and minimum thickness of 18mm

FireZone Vanguard SP: minimum density of 338kg/m3 and minimum thickness of 9mm

FireZone Vanguard FP: this system is species specific, please refer to the TDS

European classifications vs NZ classifications

The New Zealand Building Code allows for European Classification to be accepted for internal surface linings or Group Ratings – NZBC C/AS2 – Table C1.1.

However for external cladding fire ratings, the code specifically requires timber cladding substrates to achieve the required outcomes set out in NZBC C/AS2 – Table C1.3 maximum peak heat release rate and total heat released when tested to ISO 5660-1 or AS/NZ 3897 after an accelerated weathering regime outlined in ASTM 2898 Method B. The main difference is that European ISO 5660-1 test data is limited to 10mins and NZBC C/AS1 and C/AS2 require outcomes at 15mins, significantly longer.

Product Choice

A variety of factors will determine which FireZone solution works best for your project.

1. Fire rating required
2. Internal or external timber substrate
3. Desired aesthetic finish

A quick reference guide:

FireZone 92 – Specify for new or existing timber when an Group 1-S or below is required, in an internal dry environment and a clear polyurethane finish is desired.

FireZone 52 – Specify for new or existing timber when a Group 1-S or below is required or an upgraded FRR on a variety of substrates, in an internal dry environment and a pigmented paint finish is desired (using topcoats from leading manufacturers).

FireZone F1E – Specify for new or existing timber when a Type A non-combustible fire rating is required, on external timber cladding, when a pigmented paint finish is desired.

FireZone Vanguard – Specify for new internal timber, timber in a high moisture or fully external environment, and when a completely natural or stained finish is desired.

Please get in touch with one of our product specialists, refer to the FireZone products page or the technical data sheets for further clarification of which system will work best for your project and selected substrate.

 

Structural Steel

Zone has a unique range of intumescent and SFRM (Spray applied fire-resistant material) steel products for up to 240 minutes protection. Our Phoenix range of waterbased or solvent based intumescent coatings are complimented by the Isolatek range of gypsum and cement based SFRM. This range provides designers with a number of options to achieve compliance in conjunction with their favourite protective coating providers, with material warranties to support your project/building specification.

Corrosion zones as determined by BS EN ISO 12944-2 need to be considered in relation to how durable you want your coating/SFRM System to be. The durability determines the number of expected years until the first major maintenance of the system should be undertaken. As each component of the system can impact overall durability, it is worth connecting with our specialist team to work through your project requirements. Project warranties are typically offered at 1/3 the designated system durability as agreed upon in the specification. The corrosion zones are available online and are categorized as C1 through to C5 interior and Exterior.  As an example, C1 Interior is for environmentally controlled buildings with clean atmospheres, e.g. offices, shops, schools, hotels and C5 interior are buildings or areas with almost permanent condensation and high pollution such as industrial or marine environments. Refer to the FPA NZ Code of Practice for a publicly available road to success for all stakeholders involved with protective coatings.

Thin Film Intumescent Coatings

Our Phoenix intumescent systems can be used over a variety of approved primers from different manufacturers, contact us for a full list.

The Zone range of systems have testing relating to timber strapping + plasterboard linings fixed directly to hollow and open steel sections (beams and columns), contact us to access a copy of the report(s).

Please refer to each product page for individual product information.

SFRM (Sprayed Fire-Resistive Material)

Sprayed Fire-Resistive Material (SFRM) is the technical term used for Spray Applied Fireproofing. It is a type of passive fireproofing used in buildings to delay or prevent steel and concrete structures from failing due to exposure to high temperatures during a fire. The primary function of SFRM is to insulate steel and metal decking from the high temperatures generated during a fire, but it also has thermal and acoustical properties and controls condensation. SFRM systems are designed to be applied to black steel, though selected systems can also be applied to primer if needed.

Consult the product TDS for the correct product for your corrosion zone, we have a system available from C1 right through to C5 exterior.

Please check our Masterspec listing for our Phoenix, off-site epoxy or SFRM specification sections, or contact your rep to work through a project specific specification.