Samhwa introduces fireproof protection for soundproof buildings

The recent series of major fires that have made headlines in Korea has renewed interest in the fireproof protector for beams in soundproof facilities, co-developed by Samhwa and Dasco, the No. 1 manufacturer of soundproof solutions in Korea.

The protector is a fireproof safety system that involves attaching a fire blocker, painted in fireproof paint, onto the steel frame of a soundproof facility. The device protects main beams by blocking the delivery of heat from fires, and thereby helps minimize the risk of distortion and collapse of the soundproof facility.

Its simple design makes it easy to apply. Even after a fire, the owner can simply replace the device with a new one. A variety of colors can be applied in light of surrounding colors.

Fire Insurers Laboratories of Korea (FILK) tested the device and found that its surface rose in temperature to a maximum 519°C along a standard heating curve of 0°C to 924°C. In other words, the device stays well below the 538°C that is known to cause steel frames to collapse within the period of time it is supposed to protect the structure.

※ Standard heating curve (0℃ to 924℃): KS F 2257-1: 2019 Heating Curve

FlameCheck, the brand of fireproof paints to be applied to the device, are highly functional epoxy coats that can delay or prevent the collapse of buildings under high temperatures. The painted coat expands quickly when heated to form a thick insulated layer that protects steel frames against collapse and thereby protects life and property.

A Samhwa spokesperson said: “Now that fires are becoming increasingly common in this dry spring season, it is critical to prevent any and all that are foreseeable. We believe this special device we co-developed with Dasco will play a significant part in preventing fire-related losses and fatalities.”

Samhwa and Dasco obtained a patent on the soundproof facility design of steel frame structures installed with the fireproof device.