The Use of Envirograf Expansion Joints to Contain Airport Fires

Some systems of airport infrastructure such as car parks and baggage handling can spread for miles behind the scenes at an airport. These sprawling systems can potentially aid in the spreading of fires throughout the airport. The use of fire containment products can protect the airport and drastically reduce the risk of serious fire.

Intumescent Expansion Joint

Airport car parks are considered by many to be dangerous hot spots for a malicious or accidental fire to start, therefore proper fire protection precautions are crucial to avoid any flames from the fire spreading across the car park to other terminal buildings. Envirograf® product 39 Intumescent expansion joints are essential to close; seal and fire protect gaps around concrete or steel structures. The photographs shown here, are taken from a real car park fire that illustrates how devastating a fire can be to cars and to the building once the fire takes hold. The importance of an Intumescent expansion joint shows how it sealed the gap to restrict and prevent the fire from damaging the whole of the building. The fire in this car park took several hours for the fire service to bring under control, but by the use of the expansion joints, they both held and sealed up the gap around the roof of the car park for the duration of the blaze, and prevented the fire from travelling to other sections of the car park as well as adjoining buildings. Expansion joints and fire protective slabs are in the front line of fire protection and are vital elements to contain and decrease the spread of a fire and smoke.

Fire Barrier Curtain

Airport conveyor belt areas also offer the perfect root for a fire and smoke to both travel and spread. To prevent the spread of a fire it is crucial to use a suitable motorised fire barrier curtain to fire protect each section of a building that the belt passes through. The fire in these areas can quickly get out of control with devastating consequences to passengers and staff. Envirograf®product 90 motorised fire barrier curtains can be easily connected to a fire alarm system, which once the alarm is activated will descend to offer a formidable fire barrier and when the danger has passed it can be easily retracted to its own housing unit. Motorised curtains can also be used on reception desk areas or shop unit fronts.