Flame-retardant membrane protects new fire-inspired museum

31 Mar 2015

The new Museum of Fire has been clad in copper to resemble flames

With geotechnical studies revealing that the site had once been home to a garbage dump, the construction of the building was set back.

Restricted in where they could build, the project’s team made the decision to excavate the ground underneath the planned building.

Therefore, its ‘Museum of Fire’ – an interactive exhibition facility dedicated to the city of Zory – was built underground in the basement.

Above ground, the angular building also accommodates a series of theatre, conferencing and seminar facilities.

Inspired by and protected from fire

Inspired by fire, the building was clad in copper to resemble flames: the copper façade was then coated with a special finish to protect it against patination.

However, the building was still required to meet both local and EU fire regulations.

To ensure its safety, its waterproof plywood panel system was fitted with 1,250 square metres of DuPont Tyvek’s flame-retardant breather membrane, FireCurb.

Flame-retardant breather membrane, DuPont Tyvek FireCurb, has been fitted beneath the building’s copper façade

DuPont Tyvek FireCurb is produced using a technology which employs a phosphorous-based agent.

This forms a thin layer of carbonised polymer, which forms a barrier when the material comes into contact with an ignition source.

The flame-retardant barrier slows the release of flammable materials, starving the fire of fuel.

If the membrane does catch fire, it produces less smoke, reducing the risk of the blaze.

Find out more about DuPont Tyvek FireCurb

DuPont Protection Solutions
BBSP1
Bristol & Bath Science Park
Dirac Crescent
Emersons Green
Bristol
BS16 7FR

Phone: 08444 068 722

Technical enquiries: Tyvek.construction@dupont.com

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