DCTech VulcanWool delivers groundbreaking results in Mass Timber Fire Test

DCTech have been working with the Forest Wood Products Australia, local CLT manufacturers XLam Australia, NeXTimber® and other industry partners, to successfully conduct a pivotal fire resistance test at the CSIRO facilities in North Ryde, yielding remarkable results for mass timber construction safety.

Test Configuration and Objectives

The horizontal AS 1530.4 test utilised a 140 mm Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panel, evenly split between NeXTimber® and XLam Australia products. Targeting the National Construction Code’s fire-protected timber requirements, the panel’s underside was evenly covered with 50 mm of DCTech VulcanWool (stone wool) and Rockwool and held securely in place with DCTech’s SFS insulation fasteners and washers.

The primary goal was to assess the fire resistance performance, specifically measuring the interface temperature between the stonewool insulation and timber. The standard requires temperatures to remain below 300°C for critical durations:

• External walls: 45 minutes
• Stairways, lifts, and shafts: 20 minutes
• Other areas: 30 minutes

Groundbreaking Test Results

The test results dramatically exceeded expectations. DCT VulcanWool and Rockwool stonewool demonstrated exceptional fire protection capabilities, surpassing the 45-minute criterion with ease. The test continued for over three hours, with more than half of the CLT panel remaining intact when concluded.

Expert Testimony

Mr. Andrew Dunn from the Timber Development Association, who witnessed the test, offered compelling insights: “Over the years, I’ve observed numerous mass timber tests, but the stone wool performance was extraordinarily impressive. It easily outperformed traditional fire-grade plasterboard.”

Dunn further emphasised the material’s multifunctional potential, noting its triple-duty capabilities: “Stone wool provides superior fire protection while simultaneously delivering excellent acoustic and thermal insulation. This could potentially revolutionise construction costs for mass timber buildings.”

Significance for the Construction Industry

This test represents a significant advancement in building materials technology, offering architects, engineers, and builders a promising alternative to traditional fire protection methods. The results suggest that stonewool could become a game-changing solution for fire safety and efficiency in mass timber construction.

Please contact us for further details regarding the use of DCT VulcanWool, as an alternative to 2 layers of 13 mm thick, fire-protective grade plasterboard, to meet the deemed to satisfy requirements for fire protected mass timber construction. DCT VulcanWool can now offer the trifecta of fire protection, thermal and acoustic insulation.

Details of DCTech’s total systems solutions for CLT, including DCT VulcanWool, Class 4 vapor permeable Proctor Wraptite membranes, non-combustible insulation fixings and Nvelope rainscreen sub framing can be found in our free to access comprehensive technical library.  https://dctech.com.au/products/mass-timber-walls/