Passive Fire Protection in Girona: Fire-Resistant Plasterboard Installation
In any construction or renovation project in Girona, safety is the fundamental and non-negotiable pillar. When we talk about safety, passive fire protection is one of the greatest concerns. The modern and most effective solution to guarantee this protection in interiors is, without a doubt, fire-resistant plasterboard installation.
Unlike standard gypsum panels, fire-resistant plasterboard is specifically designed to resist and contain flames for a set period of time, protecting the building structure and facilitating evacuation. In our company, we are specialists in installing these high-security systems throughout the province of Girona.
What is Fire-Resistant Plasterboard? The Recognizable Pink Panel
You have probably heard of it or seen it. Fire-resistant plasterboard is visually identified by its characteristic color: it is the pink plasterboard panel (in some manufactures or with construction dust, some also search for it as red plasterboard).
This pink color is not an aesthetic whim; it is the industry standard code to identify the high-strength pink plasterboard panel. Its "superpower" lies in its internal composition: the gypsum core of the fire-resistant plasterboard panel is reinforced with fiberglass and other mineral additives (such as vermiculite) that, when exposed to heat, release water molecules and significantly delay fire spread.
In Girona, where we value precise terminology, we often refer to this essential protective material directly as fire plasterboard, an expression that combines the commercial name with its vital purpose (fire).
Technical Classification: Understanding FR (Fire Resistance) Plasterboard
This is where professionalism makes the difference. It is not enough to install a fire plasterboard panel; you must understand what level of protection is needed. The effectiveness of this material is measured with the FR (Fire Resistance) classification.
This classification indicates, in minutes, the time that the system (the panel mounted in its structure) can maintain its structural integrity and prevent the passage of flames and heat.
The most common classifications we install in Girona are:
FR 90 Plasterboard
This system guarantees 90 minutes (one and a half hours) of fire resistance. It is a robust and very common solution in homes (garage separation, boiler rooms) and in certain commercial premises.
FR 120 Plasterboard
This is a superior level of protection, offering 120 minutes (two hours) of certified resistance. The fr 120 plasterboard system is required in higher-risk applications, such as evacuation routes in public buildings, high-traffic premises or for fire sectorization in industrial warehouses.
Where is Fire-Resistant Plasterboard Essential?
Regulations (the Technical Building Code) are very clear. In Girona, we install fire-resistant plasterboard mainly in:
Industrial and Restaurant Kitchens
To sectorize the cooking area and prevent spread to the rest of the premises.
Garages and Boiler Rooms
It is mandatory to separate these risk areas from residential areas, and fire-resistant plasterboard is the cleanest and most effective way to do it.
Fireplace Backing
If you are going to install a wood or pellet fireplace, the back wall must be protected. A pink plasterboard panel is the ideal solution.
Evacuation Routes
Corridors, stairs and lobbies in public buildings or residential communities must be protected to ensure a safe exit.
Structural Protection
Used to "wrap" metal beams and columns, preventing them from collapsing due to heat during a fire and giving emergency services time.
Fire-Resistant Plasterboard Installation is NOT a DIY Job
We want to be very clear about this: the effectiveness of fire plasterboard depends 100% on professional and certified installation.
A common mistake is to think that simply screwing the pink plasterboard panel is enough. The reality is that to achieve fr 90 or fr 120 resistance, a strict protocol must be followed:
- Use the correct metal structure (profiles).
- Use specific high-strength fasteners.
- Apply special fire-resistant joint compound (standard compound won't work).
- Respect the number of panels, overlaps and perimeter seals required by the manufacturer for that classification.
Incorrect installation completely negates the fire-resistant property of the system.
Your Expert Fire-Resistant Plasterboard Installer in Girona
Don't put your safety or that of your property at risk. Our team in Girona is fully qualified for the installation of fire-resistant plasterboard systems, strictly complying with all current regulations.
If you need to protect your home, business or homeowners association, contact us. We will study your case, advise you on the necessary FR classification and offer you a quote for a safe, certified and professional installation.