Wall Cavity Barrier - Red Edition
Fire and Smoke Barrier for masonry cavity walls.
AIM Wall Cavity Barrier
Red Edition tested to BS EN 1366-4 is available for new projects from July 1st 2024
Blue foil remains available for completion of projects to BS 476-20/BS 476-22
PRODUCT
AIM Wall Cavity Barrier may be used to provide a fire barrier in masonry cavity walls as well as for fire stopping between a masonry wall system† and a concrete floor slab. It is typically used vertically and horizontally to provide a fully closed cavity fire barrier along compartmentation lines in the external cavity wall. AIM Wall Cavity Barrier may be used in different or non-standard constructions, such as rainscreen cladding systems, with the approval of a competent person.
APPLICATIONS
AIM Wall Cavity Barrier may be used to provide a fire barrier in masonry cavity walls as well as for fire stopping between a masonry wall system† and a concrete floor slab. It is typically used vertically and horizontally to provide a fully closed cavity fire barrier along compartmentation lines in the outer leaf of the building. AIM Wall Cavity Barrier may be used in different or non-standard constructions, such as rainscreen cladding systems, with the approval of a competent person.
† AIM Wall Cavity Barrier has not been tested for use with aluminium curtain wall systems.
FEATURES
- High density foil faced stone wool barrier.
- Thicknesses provide 30, 60 and 120 minute fire ratings to BS EN 1366-4.
- For use within voids up to 600mm.
- Available cut to size or in slab form for onsite cutting.
- Reduces airborne transmission of sound by a minimum of 21dB RW.
- Available as a variety of compression options.
- Accepts horizontal rail penetrations.
- Flexible fixing clip details (secured above or below / varied fixing centres).
- Pre-cut barrier widths can be increased with the Wall Cavity Barrier Packer.
- Can be installed with Cassette Inserts to remove uneven features in the façade.
- Printed foil facing makes easy identification as a cavity barrier.
BENEFITS
- Prevents the passage of Heat, Fire and Smoke through external wall cavities.
- Reduces airborne sound through the external wall cavity.
- 30, 60 or 120 minutes Integrity & Insulation to suit design requirements.
- Can be used in a wide variety of construction types, with the correct approval.
- Tested as a cavity barrier and a cavity closer.
- Tested for use with SFS substrate.
- Tested for use with Masonry Support brackets.
- Tested with profiled metal sheets.
- Suitable for both horizontal and vertical use.
- Suitable for use with all thermal insulation types.
- Simple and fast to install.
- Expensive jointing tape not required.
COMPONENTS AVAILABLE FROM AIM
Wall Cavity Barrier Fixing Brackets
AIM Intumescent Mastic
Barrier
PHYSICAL INFORMATION
AIM Wall Cavity Barrier cut to size
• Length: 1000mm
• Thicknesses: 75mm, 100mm, 125mm
• Foil Facing (with AIM logo in red print)
• Cavity widths: 50 - 600mm (barrier to be compressed by 5%)
• Pre-compressed to ease installation
• Faced with reinforced aluminium foil for enhanced smoke resistance
• Available polythene sleeved when supplied pre-cut to size*
*This product variant is available but has not been fire tested. Its use would be subject to the approval of the project fire engineer or consultant.
PACKAGING (cut product)
AIM Wall Cavity Barrier are generally packed into cartons and stretch wrapped onto wooden pallets with a showerproof polythene pallet cover and high quality edge protectors.
AIM Wall Cavity Fire Barrier Slab
• Slab thickness: performance (integrity and insulation)
• 75mm: 30 minutes
• 100mm: 60 minutes
• 125mm: 120 minutes
• Slab size: 1000 x 600mm and 1000 x 1200mm
• Foil facing imprinted with AIM logo now in red print
PACKAGING (Slab product)
Orders for slab and half slab barrier will be supplied stretch wrapped onto pallets with a showerproof polythene pallet cover and edge protection (ie, no cartons).
AS STANDARD
AIM Wall Cavity Barrier is supplied either cut to size, complete with appropriate clips or in slab form with clips sold as separate items to quantities determined by the installer.
OPTIONS
Can be supplied with a DPC, either loose or pre-laminated. The DPC variant has been fire tested to EN 1366-4.
Barrier in a polythene sleeve*
*This product variant is available but has not been fire tested. It's use would be subject to the approval of the project fire engineer or consultant
CASSETTE INSERT
AIM Cassette Inserts can be supplied for the provision of a suitable substrate for the Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) to close to where cassette type cladding panels are used.
AIM Cassette Inserts are available in sizes to suit the Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Editon) to be installed. See Fitting to Cassette Panels section on page 19 for installation guidance.
WALL CAVITY BARRIER PACKERS
AIM Wall Cavity Barrier packers are available for instances where an incorrectly sized / undersized Wall Cavity Barrier needs to be packed out.
AIM Wall Cavity Barrier packers are available in sizes to suit the Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Editon) to be installed.
IM Wall Cavity Barrier cut to size
PACKAGING (cut product)
AIM Wall Cavity Fire Barrier Slab
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
FIRE PERFORMANCE
AIM Wall Cavity Barrier has been Tested to EN 1366-4. Full details of the scope of tested evidence is shown in the table below
| Masonry to Masonry Construction | SFS to Masonry Construction |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness | Integrity / Insulation up to 400mm Cavity | Integrity / Insulation up to 600mm Cavity | Masonry Support Bracket | Integrity / Insulation up to 300mm Cavity |
| 75mm | 120 / 30 | 60 / 30 minutes | N/A | N/A |
| 100mm | 120 / 60 minutes | 60 / 60 minutes | 120 / 60 minutes | 120 / 60 minutes* |
| 125mm | 120 / 120 minutes | 120 / 90 minutes | 120 / 120 minutes* | 120 / 120 minutes* |
| Test Reports | WF 522952 (V) WF 523632 (H) | WF 533341 (V) WF 533340 (H) | WF 537195 (H) | WF 538665 (V) WF 538666 (H) |
Third Party Certification | IFCC 1897 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Zero Compression Solution | |
|---|---|
| Masonry to Masonry Construction | |
| Thickness | Integrity / Insulation up to 400mm Cavity |
| 75mm | 120 / 30 |
| 100mm | 120 / 60 minutes |
| 125mm | 120 / 120 minutes |
| Test Reports | WF 522952 (V) WF 523632 (H) |
The AIM Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) was tested to BS EN 1366-4 using a standard masonry lintel as one substrate and a wet brick wall as the other in order to replicate conditions on a standard construction site.
(V) vertical installation, (H) horizontal installation. Performance is related to barrier thickness.
Illustration of the test configuration
| Cavity Size | Fixing Clip Required | Clip gauge | Fixing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 160mm | Small Fixing Clip | 25mm x 0.9mm | 2 per metre (min 2 per cut length) @ 500mm |
| 161mm to 400mm | Large Fixing Clip | 25mm x 1.2mm | 2 per metre (min 2 per cut length) @ 500mm |
| 401mm to 600m | HD Fixing Clip | 25mm x 1.6mm | 3 per metre (min 2 per cut length) @ 333mm |
AIM Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) has been tested in a number of special instances in order to demonstrate the performance of the various elements of the detail. In each case a 100mm thick Wall Cavity Barrier was installed in a 300mm cavity. Page 11 provides further information on the test and the outcome
| Detail | Test Report |
|---|---|
| A Packer pieces used behind the WCB barrier | WF544987 |
| A rail intersection the barrier | WF544987 |
| The Barrier closing to a cassette insert | WF544987 |
| WCB cut for closing to a profiled metal sheet | WF544987 |
AIM are partners with NBS. Our products can be found on NBS Source and have been authored to NBS specification standards and have both CAWS and Uniclass 2015 classifications.
Certificate number: IFCC 1897
WALL CAVITY BARRIER IN HIGH RISE CONSTRUCTION
.
COMPARTMENTATION AND RAINSCREEN CLADDING SOLUTIONS
In general, AIM Wall Cavity Barriers are used in conjunction with AIM's OSCBs. The AIM Wall Cavity Barriers tend to be used for vertical fire stopping and permitting free flowing ventilation through the cavity in a horizontal plane. Wall Cavity Barriers provide a fully filled cavity solution and are generally used vertically to prevent the spread of fire across the face of a building.
WALL CAVITY BARRIER IN MASONRY CONSTRUCTION
AIM Wall Cavity Barriers provide a fully filled cavity solution and are typically used vertically and horizontally, sealing the cavity along compartmentation lines to ensure a continuous fire barrier in the building’s outer leaf within masonry constructions, especially where a more stringent fire resistance is required. AIM Wall Cavity Barrier has also been tested for use as a cavity closer around door and window openings.
The barrier prevents the passage of heat, flames and smoke through the external wall cavity for periods of 30, 60, or 120 minutes in a fire situation. It also reduces flanking sound transmission through external wall cavities.
AIM Wall Cavity Barriers are available either cut to size or in slab format for cutting on site.
AIM WALL CAVITY BARRIER MASONRY SUPPORT SOLUTION
The AIM Wall Cavity Barrier has been tested in conjunction with Leviat brick support shelfs where the location of the barrier and brick support shelf coincides. The AIM Wall Cavity Barrier has been tested with and without thermal insulation and with the fins fully exposed. The table and drawings below show the relative position of the brackets and the fire resistance that is achieved with the respective barrier thickness.
| WCB Thickness | Barrier Penetration | SW Thermal Insulation | Intergrity (Minutes) | Insulation (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100mm | 100% | No | 120 | 60 |
| 100mm | 50% | No | 120 | 60 |
| 100mm | 100% | Yes | 120 | 60 |
| 125mm | 100% | No | 120 | 60* |
| 125mm | 50% | No | 120 | 120 |
| 125mm | 100% | Yes | 120 | 120 |
* Only 1 hour where the barrier is fully penetrated and no stonewool thermal insulation
INSTALLING AIM WALL CAVITY BARRIER UNDER ZERO COMPRESSION
We have demonstrated that AIM Wall Cavity Barrier is effective without compression in brickwork applications. This solution has been tested horizontally and vertically.
Wall Cavity Barrier may now be installed more easily with green brickwork as the bricks can be built
up against the edge of the cavity barrier and then mastic applied once the mortar has set.
Once installed, AIM Acrylic Intumescent Mastic should be applied between the barrier and both substrates using an angled mastic nozzle. A DPC separating layer can be included if required.
Wall Cavity Barrier installed vertically under Zero Compression.
Plan detail showing Wall Cavity Barrier installed vertically under Zero Compression
| WCB Thickness | Maximum Cavity Size | Integrity (Minutes) | Insulation (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75mm | 400mm | 30 | 30 |
| 100mm | 400mm | 60 | 60 |
| 125mm | 400mm | 120 | 60 |
| Test Reports | WF 547708 (H) WF 546650 (V) | ||
APPLICATIONS AND DETAILING
CLADDING RAIL INTERSECTIONS
Many rainscreen systems have aluminium hook-on rails (terracotta tiles and secret fix systems). This testing demonstrates that a horizontal aluminium hook on rail can be passed through the vertical cavity barrier and effectively fire stopped.
The Ad-Hoc test used a 100mm thick Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) within a 300mm cavity where a mullion rail intersected the barrier as shown in the drawings. Sensors were placed on the barrier and rail.
The test results achieved were:
• On the barrier: 120 minutes integrity / 60 minutes insulation
• On the mullion rail: 120 minutes integrity / 29 minutes insulation
Vertical Wall Cavity Barrier intersected with a horizontal aluminium hook-on rail.
FITTING TO CASSETTE PANELS (USING AN OSCB CASSETTE INSERT)
Cassette panels are a common rainscreen façade. This creates an issue as the Wall Cavity Barrier cannot be notched to accept the panels without leaving gaps and voids. These gaps are invisible from the outside of the construction and may go un-noticed.
The installer can fit the Wall Cavity Barrier then use inserts within the cassette panel to ensure there are no gaps when the panels are fitted.
The Ad-Hoc test used a 100mm thick Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) within a 300mm cavity which closed up to an OSCB Cassette Insert fitted within a replicated cassette panel as shown in the drawings. Sensors were placed on the barrier and Cassette Insert.
The test results achieved were:
• On the barrier: 120 minutes integrity / 60 minutes insulation
• On the Cassette Insert: 120 minutes integrity / 60 minutes insulation
Cassette Inserts can be adhered in situ with a suitable adhesive and mechanical support can be provided by adding screws through the top and bottom of the cassette panels, into the ends of the inserts, for added security.
Vertical Wall Cavity Barrier fitted in conjunction with an OSCB Cassette Insert.
PROFILED METAL CLADDING CLOSING TO A D32 PROFILED SHEET
We have tested Wall Cavity Barrier with the profile of the 32/1000 sheet cut into the leading edge of the barrier.
Rather than installing a rectangular cavity barrier with trapezoidal infills (which could migrate over time) this solution speeds up and makes the installation more straightforward
The Ad-Hoc test used a 100mm thick Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) within a 300mm cavity and closed to a D32 Cladding panel. The outer edge of the barrier was CNC machined to match the profile of the panel and fitted under 5% compression as shown in the drawings.
The test results achieved were:
• 120 minutes integrity / 60 minutes insulation.
The test was conducted for the barrier installed in a vertical plain with cladding panel installed horizontally.
Please note: The void created on the outside of the profiled sheet, behind the façade, can be fire-stopped with AIM Fire Stop Blocks if desired.
Cladding panel with the profiles running horizontally.
PRE-CUT WALL CAVITY BARRIER APPLICATIONS WHERE THE CAVITY IS LARGER THAN EXPECTED
If a pre-cut barrier is ordered, and it is subsequently found that the cavity is larger than expected, the Wall Cavity Barrier may be packed out with a Wall Cavity Barrier Packer.
The Ad-Hoc test used a 100mm thick Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) within a 300mm cavity where a Packer piece was installed behind the barrier as shown in the drawings.
The test results achieved were 120 minutes integrity / 60 minutes insulation
We have tested a solution that allows for incorrectly sized / undersized Wall Cavity Barrier to be packed out helping to reduce waste and providing more flexibility with varying cavity widths.
The packer needs to impaled by the fixing clips (i.e. on the internal side of the construction).
Wall Cavity Barrier installed vertically with a Packer.
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
CLIPS
Clips are required when the barrier is installed and are a requirement of Approved Document B. Two clips per length are required for cavities up to 400mm. For cavities 401mm to 600mm, three fixing clips are required per length. Clips are supplied as flat strips, prenotched to allow them to be easily formed on site and with pre-stressed snap off points to enable the correct length to be created.
Clips must not be installed with the sharp points left exposed at any time, due to risk of serious injury.
For horizontal slab edge applications the fixing clips should penetrate the barriers width by approximately 75% and mid height. Fixing clips may be secured to the edge of the concrete slab or the top surface of the slab by forming the clips to a Z shape. The cavity barrier may be located at the top, bottom or mid-height of the floor slab.
For vertical applications the fixing clips should penetrate the barriers width by approximately 75% and mid width of the seal. The fixing clips may be secured to the substrate on either side of the cavity barrier. If the cavity barriers are installed in advance of the façade, it may be necessary to secure the cavity barrier to the substrate to prevent it becoming dislodged in high winds.
The joints between adjoining sections, and where horizontal and vertical cavity barriers intersect, must be tight and secure without any gaps or voids.
CAUTION
If the gap to be filled is between two building components which might separate in a fire, the two components must be mechanically linked so that separation cannot occur.
MASONRY CAVITY WALLS
Horizontal Barrier: Bed the fixing clips into the joints in the internal leaf. A damp proof membrane or cavity tray must be installed into the cavity wall immediately above, and to the outside of, the fire barrier.
ITEMS REQUIRED FOR INSTALLATION
• PPE abrasion resistant gloves
• PPE impact resistant goggles
• RPE dust mask
• Sharp knife
• Tape measure
• Insulation saw
• Acrylic fire rated intumescent mastic (optional extra)
STORAGE
Cut product is supplied in cartons on pallets, slab products are supplied on wooden pallets with edge protection and a shower proof hood. Products should be stored away from the elements until ready for installation.
MAINTENANCE
This product does not contain moving parts and,
if undisturbed in the cavity, requires no routine inspections or maintenance. It is recommended that the integrity of the barrier is rechecked if further works are carried out, which may involve disturbing the product.
DURABILITY
AIM fire barriers are chemically inert, will not sustain vermin and do not encourage the growth of rot, fungi, moulds or bacteria. They are compatible with all normal building materials. Rockwool stone wool has been proven in service for over 60 years, in a wide range of climates and degrees of exposure. It will generally perform effectively for the lifetime of the building, plant or structure.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Insulation products supplied by AIM are considered to be inert articles and as such are exempt from requirements to provide a Safety Data Sheet. A Product Safety and Handling Information Sheet is available upon request.
ENVIRONMENT
Global warming potential = zero.
The stonewool element of the products originate from Rockwool UK. It may be possible to recycle clean and uncontaminated material under Rockwool UK’s Rockcycle® service. Please contact Rockwool on 01656 868400 for further details.
ORDERING
To order this product the following information will be required:
• Cavity depth in mm
• Fire Performance required
• Approximate quantity
• Delivery location
All AIM fire barriers are made to order. Products are typically supplied in seven to ten working days but lead times may vary depending on existing factory commitments.
There is no minimum order quantity or value although small orders may attract transport surcharges.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Technical Support is available from our experienced sales team on 01293 582 400 or [email protected]
ABOUT AIM
AIM are a quality insulation convertor with over 30 years experience in the design, testing & manufacturing of high quality fire barriers for customers worldwide.
Our Partners & Affiliates
AIM are partners with NBS. Our products can be found on NBS Source and have been authored to NBS specification standards and have both CAWS and Uniclass 2015 classifications.
AIM are members of Centre for Window and Cladding Technology & ASFP.
AIM working in partnership with Rockwool.