This is a common question that our technical team receive. We are here to solve the answer too, Is there such a thing as fire rated glue?
However, the answer to this question is not as simple as ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ To clarify the answer we will discuss the concept of fire-rated adhesives and how they play a role in fire safety
Understanding fire rated adhesives
Industries like timber processing and construction, fire-resistant adhesives are commonly used. The adhesive itself would not necessarily be fire-proof, however it’s how fire-resistant they are to allow the finished product to stand up to fire. Each finished product e.g. doors and windows would go through rigorous testing to determine how well the product stands up to fire, including the adhesive.
Two main types of fire certification
Firstly the British Standard Certification, BS476, is one of the main standards for fire testing. This assesses the building materials and structures, like doors and windows for fire resistance. These products are tested to see if they can withstand fire for a specific duration ranging from 30 to 120 minutes. The standard fire rating for most doors and windows is typically 30 minutes.
Secondly, Third party certification, like the BM Trada Q-Mark and FIRAS. They use the British Standard as a guideline, however they often conduct additional testing. These certifications give assurance to the manufacturers, builders and end-users of the products that meet the fire rated criteria.
Can you get Fireproof Glue?
While the term “fireproof glue” might suggest an adhesive that is resistant to fire, that isn’t the case. However, there are adhesives that meet Class 0 fire ratings, which are focused on the surface spread of flames rather than complete fire resistance, as a component of the complete structure being built. These adhesives are commonly used to bond substrates during the manufacture process of fire-rated windows and doors. The adhesive performance is evaluated as part of the entire product, not just the adhesive in isolation.
The most important point to understand is that it’s not the adhesive alone that is fire rated when its is tested. It is the it is the product intis entirety, like a door or a window that undergoes fire testing. Therefore, adhesives used in fire doors must contribute to the products ability to resist fire but note be fire rated in themselves.
How are fire rated windows and doors tested?
The process involves rigorous testing at specialised facilities. Once the product is manufactured, it is then sent to testing houses like Warrington Fire. These facilities simulate real life fire conditions to test the product’s resistance to fire.
It’s important to remember that the entire product—including all components like glass, frames, seals, and adhesive—must be tested together. The glue used in fire doors and windows may not be fireproof on its own, but it plays a critical role in ensuring the structural integrity of the fire-rated assembly.
Recommendations
Ureka has been supplying manufacturers of doors and windows for over 40 years. Needless to say, we are not short of technical expertise. As highlighted above, ‘fireproof’ adhesives do not exist. However, if you have any further questions or are seeking technical advice, please contact our technical team here.
