A new flame-retardant tape for construction membranes from Walki: WALKI® Wall Tight FR B 215 Tape

Walki has developed a tape that in combination with the Walki's Wall Tight FR G A2 membrane renders a reaction to fire according to Euroclass A2.

Construction membranes, used in walls and ceilings to enhance heat radiation and prevent moisture transfer, need to be overlapped and sealed together in order to offer membrane features for the entire wall surface. While the Walki® Wall FR G A2 165 membrane, made of aluminium and glass fibre, is non-combustible and shows a reaction to fire according to Euroclass A2, the adhesive tapes on the market typically have a reaction according to Euroclass E or F. This means that they burn easily. Aluminium-based tape is also available but it is not strong enough and may tear.

By making the system membrane and adhesive tape non-combustible, crucial seconds can be saved in case of a fire event.

To answer to this need from the market, Walki developed a tape that in combination with the Walki's Wall Tight FR G A2 membrane gives a reaction to fire according to Euroclass A2.

"We needed to lower the combined fire class for both the membrane and the tape, while not compromising the tape's properties of being water vapour diffusion tight and being easy to install", says Ann-Mari Ukkonen, Technical Service & Development Manager, Construction Membranes at Walki.

By adding flame-retardant adhesive to the current Euroclass A2 membrane, Walki developed a tape with a reaction to fire Euroclass B. Using a maximum of 10% of the tape, called WALKI® Wall Tight FR B 215 Tape, for each Wall Tight FR G A2 165 membrane, the system renders a reaction to fire Euroclass A2-s1, d0, meaning without smoke nor flaming droplets.

"Now we can offer a flame-retardant tape, that in the combination with Wall Tight FR G A offers a system that complies with Euroclass A2-s1, d0 which says it is non-combustible", says Pierrick Girard, Business Line Manager, Construction Membranes at Walki.

Walki's Wall Tight FR G A2 and Wall Tight FR B 215 Tape is ideal in schools, hospitals, shopping centres and high-rise buildings, where in the event of a fire evacuation every second counts.