15 Jun Is MgO Board Fire Resistant?
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Is fire safety a concern for you? Have you recently experienced a fire and need to rebuild? Or are you curious about MgO boards and their features? Either way, you have landed in the right place. I will share everything you need to know about MgO boards and their fireproof features.
Do MgO Boards Offer Fire Resistance?
Let’s get straight to the point! MgO boards are known for their high fire resistance. Also, they can withstand exposure to high temperatures without bursting into flames. They are often used in walls and ceilings that need to be fire-rated, meaning they are part of a system designed to keep fire from spreading.
MgO Boards Are Non-combustible
The materials in MgO boards will not catch fire, which helps prevent fires from spreading. So, what makes them so resistant to fire? MgO boards are made from magnesium oxide, an inorganic, naturally fire-resistant material.
Unlike drywalls, which are made of wood, MgO boards do not contain flammable substances. This eliminates the risk of the boards catching fire and contributing to the blaze.
MgO Boards Can Handle High Heat
MgO boards are superheroes in the construction world regarding handling high heat. Imagine a scenario where there’s a fire. Most regular materials, like standard drywall, will start to burn, weaken, and collapse. That’s not the case with MgO boards.
They will not melt, burn, or even lose structural integrity. Why? The answer lies in their sturdy composition and incredible endurance. This feature makes them a great choice for protecting buildings in extreme heat.
Fun fact: MgO boards are tough cookies! They can handle temperatures up to 1,472°F (that’s 800°C!). And if used in pre-built walls or panels, they can withstand an open flame for a whopping 4 hours!
MgO Board Don’t Give Off Toxic Fumes
Another important part of MgO boards is that they don’t burn or give off harmful fumes. When you expose them to high heat, nothing will happen, which is a huge plus for safety. The reason is its superior composition, which is devoid of organic materials. Hence, there is nothing to ignite and create fumes.
You have probably watched at least one episode of “Chicago Fire” or “9-1-1”. So, you know that inhaling fumes is often more dangerous than the flames.
Materials that emit little to no fumes, like MgO boards, help protect people’s health. They reduce the risk of smoke inhalation and passing out. Losing your conscience during a fire is one of the most horrific things that can happen.
Comparing Fire Resistance of MgO Boards to Other Materials
How do we determine a material quality? The best way is to compare it with other materials with the same application!
Other materials were used for the same application besides MgO boards. Those materials include gypsum drywall, plywood, PVC boards, and foam. Construction professionals use these materials for walls, ceilings, fireproofing, and sheathing.
If you find it hard to choose or want to compare MgO boards with other options, this will help you decide.
MgO Board vs. Gypsum Drywall
UnIike MgO boards, which do not catch fire, Gypsum drywall will light up like a match. That, unfortunately, is not an exaggeration. Even though gypsum drywall is very common in construction, it has a major weakness: fire. When exposed to fire, gypsum drywall will dry out and crumble.
This can be problematic for several reasons. It can compromise the wall’s strength and allow the fire to spread. MgO boards will resist the high heat and take it without any significant damage. Do not get me started on the toxic fumes that gypsum drywall emits!
MgO Boards vs. Cement Boards
Cement boards are another alternative to drywall and MgO boards. They are a better choice than gypsum drywall. But does that make them better than MgO boards? Not really!
Even though cement boards are also fireproof, they are challenging to work with and very heavy!
While MgO boards offer a similar level of fire resistance, handling and installing MgO is easier than cement boards. Ultimately, MgO boards offer a better balance of safety and convenience.
MgO Boards vs. Plywood
Regarding Plywood and MgO boards and their fire resistance, we have a clear winner again! Plywood, as its name implies, consists of wood, which is highly flammable.
Plywood has advantages, such as being a very lightweight material. It is also easy to install and transport but defenseless in fire.
Yes, plywood is cheaper than MgO boards. But rebuilding your house after a fire is more expensive than buying MgO boards! Ultimately, some types of plywood contain formaldehyde, which harms our health.
Extra Benefits of MgO Board Fire Resistance
Choosing which materials to buy can be challenging. There are also some other factors that you need to consider. The fire-resistant feature of MgO boards brings several other advantages.
Healthier Indoor Environment
MgO boards help create a healthier living and working environment by not releasing harmful chemicals. This is particularly important in spaces like hospitals, schools, and homes. The reason is obvious vulnerable populations, such as children and elderly, may be present.
Another popular material, like MgO, is a calcium silicate board. Although this material is fire-resistant, it contains asbestos, which can cause health problems. On the other hand, MgO boards do not contain asbestos or chloride.
Improved Evacuation Safety
Clearer air during a fire means people can see better and breathe easier while trying to escape. Most public or commercial buildings are full of people. So, the evacuation must go smoothly. MgO boards contribute to a safer evacuation process. How? They do not burn, hence they reduce smoke and toxic gasses.
Just imagine the smoke from burning plywood—you could not see your hand in front of your face!
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Best Applications for Fire-Resistant MgO Boards
Materials such as plywood, gypsum drywall, and cement boards have pros and cons. MgO boards are a better choice for certain buildings and homes. Why? The reason is their fire resistance and tolerance to extreme heat.
Commercial Buildings
When I think about commercial buildings, the first ones that pop into my mind are hospitals, schools, and shopping malls. Fire safety is critical in these commercial buildings, where many people gather.
Thus, the logical choice would be MgO boards rather than drywall. With MgO boards, you do not have to worry about sulfur dioxide emissions and the exposure of children and teenagers to them.
Residential Building
Another common application of fire-resistant MgO boards is multi-family housing. Those include apartments and condominiums. In areas with a high possibility of fire, such as the kitchen, MgO boards can be vital. Why? MgO boards can help contain fires within individual units.
Furthermore, the MgO boards have great structural strength. In other words, they will not crumble, crash people, or cut them off from accessing exits in case of fire.
Industrial Facilities
MgO boards are a great choice for factories, warehouses, and plants. Here’s why: Due to flammable materials, fire hazards are higher in those locations. Just like in residential and commercial buildings, they will prevent the fire from spreading to other areas.
This is highly important in large industrial facilities. A fire in an industrial facility can cause thousands of dollars in damage and harm workers, with potentially even worse outcomes. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Being responsible for workers’ lives and working conditions is no joke.
Public Buildings
The same goes for public buildings such as theaters, libraries, community centers, and other public spaces. Most public and commercial buildings are crowded with people, so evacuating them must happen quickly and orderly.
Another plus of MgO boards is that they are low-maintenance. In other words, they are ideal for public buildings that need durable materials and can lower long-term maintenance costs.
MgO Boards in Action
Talking about something is one thing, but seeing it in action is another. If you want to witness the true performance of MgO boards in a real-life fire, prepare to be impressed. In 2019, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service responded to a fire in a large warehouse.
The firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to neighboring facilities.
The key player in this successful containment was, you guessed it, the MgO boards. These boards were installed in 2006 as part of the building’s passive fire protection system. So, they played a crucial role in stopping the fire from spreading. This shows their effectiveness in real-world conditions.
Conclusion
While “fireproof” might be a stretch, MgO boards are about as close as possible. Nothing is entirely immune to fire under extreme conditions. But, MgO boards lower the risk of fire damage and boost the general safety of any building.
In this post, I discussed the key features of MgO boards’ fire resistance in the article. I compared them to plywood, gypsum drywall, and cement boards, highlighting differences. Additionally, I listed the benefits of MgO boards, such as enhancing evacuation safety. And finally, I highlighted the suitability of MgO boards for certain buildings.