Cable
Fire protective coatings
The KBS® Fire Protection System offers 2 different kinds of coatings for the protection of electric cables:
KBS® Coating
KBS® Coating is a water and weather resistant ablative coating, which has been in use all over the world since 1967 in interior as well as exterior applications.
When KBS® Coating is exposed to fire, an endothermic reaction takes place. KBS® Coating contains substances which are undergoing a chemical and physical change in the heat which leads to a cooling effect on the coated cables. Simultaneously gaseous substances are released which cause a strong flame retardant action thus preventing the spread of the fire. What remains after this reaction is a porous inorganic skeleton which exercises a barrier effect. KBS® Coating inhibits reliably and persistently the fire propagation along vertical and horizontal cable routes. It prolongs circuit integrity without affecting the current carrying capacity.
KBS® Coating has a Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of 100 and is enduringly water-, weather- and UV-proof. This has been proven by a 25-years weathering test. Neither the chemical-physical nor the mechanical and fire resistant properties have changed during this period of time. Due to its excellent compatibility KBS® Coating is also suited for application together with chemicals – a comprehensive stability-listing gives evidence to this effect.
There are 3 different types of KBS® Coating on offer:
The standard product “KBS® Coating”, “KBS® Coating CLF”, which is free of halogens, and a make-up that allows easy coating of surfaces by means of a brush called “KBS® Coating Brushable”.
KBS® Foamcoat
KBS® Foamcoat is an intumescent coating free of fibres for application in dry interior rooms.
When exposed to heat KBS® Foamcoat forms a thermally insulating carbon foam layer of approximately 50 times the thickness of the original coating. This foam has a high flame erosion resistance. It decomposes very slowly and thanks to its good thermal insulation properties inhibits fire propagation along the length of vertical and horizontal cable installations. Moreover KBS® Foamcoat improves circuit integrity without impacting the current carrying capacity.
KBS® Foamcoat renders highest cost-benefit efficiency. It was specifically developed under this consideration for application in the interior and it is a leading product in this segment.
Fire protective sealants
Within the KBS® Fire Protection System there are also 2 different kinds of fire protective sealants – complementary to the 2 different coating types:
KBS® Sealant (Ablative sealant) KBS® Sealant is a high-viscous halogen-free sealant suitable for the filling of rigid, narrow joints as well as penetrations for cables.
KBS® Sealant can be used in indoor as well as outdoor application.
KBS® Sealant shows similar reactive characteristics as KBS® Coating and resembles to it, also with a view to its ageing behaviour and its stability to chemicals.
KBS® Sealant has proven its high quality standard over decades not at last due to its excellent application properties.
KBS® Foamcoat C11 (Intumescent sealant)
KBS® Foamcoat C11 is a high-viscous, halogen-free intumescent sealant for the fire protection of electric cables and plastic pipes.
KBS® Foamcoat C11 is free of fibres and shows a similar behaviour in application as conventional joint sealers. The product was developed specifically for use in dry interior rooms.
In the event of fire KBS® Foamcoat C11 develops micro-porous foam which is about 40 times as thick as the original layer.
KBS® Foamcoat C11 can be used for producing fire-proof penetration seals for plastic pipes, single cables and cable bundles. Besides, KBS® Foamcoat C11 is one of the components used in KBS®Panel Seal INT.
KBS® Foamcoat HS
Is another intumescent sealant which possesses similar characteristics as KBS® Foamcoat C11. In contrast to this, however, the „HS-type“ contains fibres which considerably improve the standing properties of the wet product. Therefore KBS® Foamcoat HS is suited to close also wider than usual openings or joints.
Cable Penetration Seals
KBS® cable penetration seals prevent reliably the spread of fire and smoke. There are 3 types of penetration seals on offer:
KBS® Panel Seal Single- and double panel seals for fire-resistant cable penetrations
KBS® Panel Seals are used to close through-penetration fire-stops for cables and cable trays in walls and floors, smoke-gas tight and fire-resistant.
The KBS® Panel Seal is a cable penetration seal consisting of non-combustible mineral fibre boards combined with ablative products (ABL) or – alternatively – with intumescent products (INT).
KBS® Coating in combination with KBS® Sealant are used for the KBS® Panel Seal ABL.
KBS® Foamcoat and the corresponding putty KBS® Foamcoat C11 are employed for the intumescent type KBS® Panel Seal INT.
KBS® Panel Seal can be installed as single-panel or as double-panel seal depending on the requirements with regard to fire resistance. The penetrating cables and trays as well as the visible surfaces of the mineral fibre boards are coated in accordance with the corresponding national tests/approvals.
KBS® Panel Seal INT is used in dry interior rooms; KBS® Panel Seal ABL is suited for all conditions.
KBS® Mortar (Ignitect Z) Fire protective mortar for fire– resistant cable penetrations
KBS® Mortar is a cementitious light weight mortar for the installation of cable penetration seals in walls and floors.
KBS® Mortar is mixed with water and can be made and applied by hand as well as with the assistance of machines. During setting it expands by up to 3 % in volume thus compensating for the loss of volume in drying.
The thixotropic flowing properties of the prepared KBS® Mortar mix render decisive advantages for its application. Wall penetration seals, for example, can be made with shuttering on one side only.
KBS® Mortar is highly efficient in use. 1 kg of mortar powder renders 1.5 litres of volume after installation of the penetration seal.
The fully cured mortar – due to its low strength and density - allows for very easy and even dust-free retro-fitting of cables.
KBS® Sealbags
Expanding pillows for through-penetration fire stops
KBS® Sealbags are patented fire protective pillows, particularly suited for penetrations where there is a frequent requirement for retro-fitting or exchange of cables.
Installing KBS® Sealbags is extremely easy, it is a dry process and it can be made without the use of tools.
A particular feature of KBS® Sealbags is their “3-phase-reaction” in the event of fire:
- At approximately 130°C, the various components in the KBS® Sealbags start sticking together so that their contents cannot run out in case a bag is damaged.
- At approximately 280°C, the filling material starts expanding by about 15 to 40 % of its original volume (depending on the type of pillow).
- At around 800° C a “ceramic reaction” is taking place which causes the contents to convert into a solid bloc.
KBS® Sealbags are totally water and weather resistant. Even after months of immersion in water they will not lose any of their outstanding properties.
Another significant advantage of KBS® Sealbags is the fact that no extra sealing material is needed for the appropriate closure of penetrations in the case of retro-fitting of cables