Fire safety of ETICS with wood fibreboards for multi-storey buildings – first research and development results

¹ Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Building Materials, Concrete Construction and Fire Protection (iBMB), Braunschweig, Germany
² Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal (HSMD), Division of Fire Safety and Structural Design, Magdeburg, Germany

Abstract

Wood fibreboards can serve as alternative sustainable insulation material for external thermal insulation component systems (ETICS). In Germany, the application of ETICS with wood fibreboards is restricted to low buildings. The restrictions are mainly caused by the smouldering tendency of the wood fibreboards. Thus, the development of an ETICS with wood fibreboards for multi-storey buildings complying with the requirements would provide a new scope of application for this sustainable insulation material. This paper presents first results of standardised and innovative investigation methods as basis for the development. These investigations and analyses concern the fire behaviour, especially smouldering processes, the plaster system, other constructive protection measures as well as risk and safety analyses.