Fire resistance

[ErrolFlynn]

I’d be interested to hear of anyone’s experience in fireproofing a building.

In my case, at some point, I’ll be renovating a shed. As part of the process, I had been thinking of insulating it and lining it with something (ie. ply or plasterboard).

Then I came across an ad for Durra Panels. The product claims to be fire resistant (ie. it can keep heat from passing through the panel for an hour with a flame on the other side). That seems a surprising property from something made of straw, but I’m not disputing it. Anyway, bushfires pass by faster than that. These panels could allow a fire-safe room to be constructed.

The product seems expensive with prices starting from $39 per sq m with some of their range exceeding $100 per sq m. Perhaps that’s what you have to pay to get quality. Plasterboard is about $7 per sq m.

But there might be other options that are just as good and cheaper. What’s been your experience? For example, perhaps standard insulating batts provide adequate fireproofing.

[rwbuild]

Depends on NCC (national construction code), distance from boundary and adjoining buildings next door. It can get complicated so if you can give us an idea or sketch with boundary distances and structures and distances on adjoining properties would be helpful.
The normal criteria is an FRL of 1 hr ie: 60/60/60
Bear in mind from your initial post you are looking at insulation INSIDE but bushfires burn from the OUTSIDE which is where you need the rating and protection and I assume you are in a bushfire area so you will need to know the BAL rating for your property before you do anythjing.

[ErrolFlynn]

Rather than going into details about position, boundaries, and sketches, what I want to know is if anyone has any experience with Durra Panels, as they are rather expensive. If anyone knows them or another product they have experience with I’d like to hear from them.

I was in fact aware that bushfires burn from the outside. However, the manufacturer of this particular product has designed the panels to be fitted to the inside of the building. I acknowledge a certain irony in that given its claim of fire protection, but in fairness, it would be difficult to make a shed airtight; particularly when using steel sheets. There are gaps on the outside, but the interior can be constructed so that there are no gaps.

I gather these panels are susceptible to moisture. That seems a real negative to me. This is another reason the panels are designed for interior use only. For that reason, the issue of condensation would need to be considered carefully.

I imagine in a bushfire the steel sheeting would get hot, sections might soften and lose shape, possibly open up, and (presumably) the protective panels on the inside will char as the heat gets to them, and if we are to believe the manufacturer’s claims the heat will have difficulty in passing through the material. I guess that means the shed may be wrecked but the contents saved.

Actually, I wasn’t aware any codes relating to fire would have applied to a shed. So that’s an interesting point you make. Presumably, you are saying that if I build a tin shed the Council doesn’t care, but if I want to line it then it has to meet certain codes. I guess if I don’t tell them they won’t know.

[rwbuild]

The fire regs are more relevant in residential areas ie: average building block.
On acreage/rural it is not relevant unless there is a habitable room above a garage

[ForeverYoung]

Rather than going into details about position, boundaries, and sketches, what I want to know is if anyone has any experience with Durra Panels, as they are rather expensive. If anyone knows them or another product they have experience with I’d like to hear from them.

nope, but neighbours built a new shed and they had to follow council regs and the used Fyrchek.
I also built a new shed and cause it was more than 6m from my house I didn't have to follow those regs.

I was in fact aware that bushfires burn from the outside. However, the manufacturer of this particular product has designed the panels to be fitted to the inside of the building. I acknowledge a certain irony in that given its claim of fire protection, but in fairness, it would be difficult to make a shed airtight; particularly when using steel sheets. There are gaps on the outside, but the interior can be constructed so that there are no gaps.

if the fire is hot enough it will melt/warp the outside cladding and then the insides will go up as well.

...
Actually, I wasn’t aware any codes relating to fire would have applied to a shed. So that’s an interesting point you make. Presumably, you are saying that if I build a tin shed the Council doesn’t care, but if I want to line it then it has to meet certain codes. I guess if I don’t tell them they won’t know.

different councils, different regs.
different regs for new versus renovations (sometimes a cost level needs to be breached for them to worry).
different BAL different regs.

personally I don't think bushfires take much notice of regs.
the best you can hope for is that less flammable materials will slow the fire down, maybe giving you more time to escape or control the fire.
a really hot fire isn't stoppable.

[wood spirit]

I don't know the ratings, but have seen double layered plasterboard (under the colour bond cladding) used for portable cabins for a particular fire rating?

[rwbuild]

I don't know the ratings, but have seen double layered plasterboard (under the colour bond cladding) used for portable cabins for a particular fire rating?

That is a very common method but it is critical to follow the installation procedure otherwise it is non-compliant.

[ErrolFlynn]

neighbours built a new shed and they had to follow council regs and the used Fyrchek.

That's a good option.

It's about 3 times the price of standard plasterboard, but half the price of Durra. Though, by all accounts Durra Panels are tough. Their write-up mentions that for roof applications the usual safety mesh is not required during installation because you can walk on them with confidence.

I wish someone would do a comparative review on all the products that are available.