Fire Performance of Calcium Silicate Board

Abstract

The article presents fire performance investigation of the Calcium Silicate Board (CSB). The CSB was tested on different fire standard test apparatuses to determine the “Reaction to fire characteristics” such as surface spread of flame (SSOF), fire propagation index (FPI), ignitibility (IG) and non-combustibility (NC). BS standards were used to determine above said characteristics. To determine the fire characteristics SSOF, NC, FPI, IG test apparatuses were used.

Different kinds of woods and wood based products are being used in buildings for door, window, ceiling and flooring purpose. But wood and their products are flammable in nature. They catch fire very easily; flame spreads on it rapidly and releases the heat during fire situation. The fire behaviour of wood was exceptionally dangerous and their use in buildings is very risky. So there is a need of some non–combustible materials which can easily be used as “fire safe” material in buildings.

CSB does not have any asbestos content. The main ingredients of this board are cement, sand, cellulose fibre, and water which are mixed in a tank and heated up to a certain temp. Then the dove is put in moulds and incubator. A chemical   reaction takes place there to form calcium silicate. After that finally the board is cut in to pieces.