Fire Resistant Building Materials

“I really want to hear you say: it’s fire-rated that way.”

Our silly version of that Backstreet Boys song gets stuck in our head a lot, and it’s become a running joke at work. Whenever we get an order for fire resistant building materials, it automatically pops into our mind.

Hopefully, now it gets stuck in yours, too… because it’s a great way to never forget how important fire-rated building materials are!

Fire resistant building materials are a life-saving tool in construction. Fire-rated plasterboard, for example, is one of the most important parts of a commercial building and has the ability to save lives in the event of a fire.

So, here we explain fire resistant building materials in the plasterboard world and why Plaster Wholesalers is your first choice place to get them.

Gypsum

Gypsum is the main material in fire-rated plasterboard. Strong and resilient, this material has some special qualities and has been used in fire resistant building products for a long time.

Tell me why?

Gypsum is a genius material for fire-rated plasterboard. It contains water in its crystalline structure and, when exposed to flames, this water is released as steam which helps to slow the spread of the fire.

Glass fibre

Glass fibre is another important element for fire resistant building materials. It’s often mixed in with gypsum plasterboard and provides a structural integrity.

Tell me why?

Gypsum isn’t enough on its own to remain strong and in-tact in the event of a fire, which is where glass fibre plays such a huge role. Glass fibre strengthens the core of a fire-rated plasterboard, holding the board together when exposed to heavy flames. This prevents the plasterboard from crumbling and letting the fire spread throughout the building.

Vermiculite

Vermiculite is a commonly used mineral in fire resistant plasterboard. It’s also used to coat ceilings, making them more fire resistant.

Tell me why?

Vermiculite expands when exposed to high temperatures, improving the thermal insulation of plasterboard and maintaining its integrity during a fire.

Where to get high quality fire-resistant plasterboard

Looking for the best quality fire-rated plasterboard in Melbourne? Plaster Wholesalers is the place to be. We stock the best fire-rated materials, like Knauf’s FireStop. This plasterboard is developed to take the heat and remain intact when a fire breaks out. A well-known product from a reputable manufacturer, FireStop is the only fire-rated plasterboard you need.

Whether you need fire rated building materials, another speciality plasterboard or compounds and adhesives, Plaster Wholesalers has got the goods. We’ve been Melbourne’s leading wholesaler in plaster for over 30 years, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more experienced bunch than us. Pop in to our Hoppers Crossing and Somerton locations, or give us a call today.