Make Thermal Insulation Composite Systems From EPS Safe

Measures to improve the fire behavior of thermal insulation composite systems with EPS insulation materials on facades were already included in the general building inspectorate approvals in 2016 by the German Institute for Building Technology.

The background for these additions was, among other things, media reports on fires on houses insulated with thermal insulation composite systems. The existing fire protection measures - such as all-round fire bars - were then checked and supplemented by others, which now also take into account fires that begin on the facade of the building.

But the "burning" question remains: Can thermal insulation composite systems with EPS insulation materials also be normally flammable? Or do they have to be designed as flame retardant?

The idea behind this discussion, which is repeatedly conducted with clients or advertisers, is the price of the thermal insulation composite systems in terms of material and workmanship. The saving of fire bars made of mineral wool is said to reduce the costs of the overall system. Basically, buildings of building classes 1 to 3 (buildings of low height) have the option of installing a normally flammable thermal insulation composite system according to various regional building codes.

Recommendation: fire bolts in EPS thermal insulation composite systems

It would not be necessary to install mineral wool strips as fire bars. As a system provider of composite thermal insulation systems, however, we refer to the state of the art: ETICS with EPS insulation materials are flame retardant! We therefore recommend the installation of the necessary fire bolts even in buildings of low height. Because safety comes first, safe insulation systems should be the requirement of all system providers and the executing specialist companies. It is not sensible to forego better fire protection for cost reasons; this is how you should explain it to your client. And it can be confirmed if the customer chooses a normally inflammable ETICS despite advice to the contrary.