Fire safety in construction isn’t just a regulatory checkbox, it’s a vital element of protecting lives, property, and investment. Insulated wall panels, like those manufactured by Isowall, are increasingly used in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. But their safety depends heavily on how they are rated, tested, and certified. In South Africa, SANS standards govern fire behaviour, reaction to fire, and fire resistance performance. At Isowall, we prioritise compliance with these standards and design panels that meet rigorous fire safety requirements. Whether you’re choosing panels for a factory, cold room, or commercial wall cladding, understanding panel fire ratings and the role of SANS compliance can help you make safer, smarter decisions.
A Closer Look at SANS Compliance and Fire Ratings
Isowall panels are more than insulation, they’re fire-rated systems designed to meet SANS safety standards and protect your building from fire risk.
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1. What Are Fire Ratings & Why They Matter
Fire ratings describe how a building component reacts in the event of a fire; how easily it burns, how much heat it emits, how much smoke is produced, and whether it helps prevent fire from spreading. For insulated panels, these metrics are essential: they determine whether panels contribute to fire bearing loads, act as barriers, or require additional protection. In South Africa, tests under SANS 10177 and SANS 428 assess fire resistance and reaction to fire, among others. Using panels that comply with these standards helps architects, engineers, and building owners ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
2. Isowall Panel Types & Their Fire Resistance Performance
Isowall offers panels with different core materials, most notably, panels using Rockwool (a mineral wool core) and panels with flame-retardant EPS (expanded polystyrene) under its Isolite range. Each type behaves differently under fire conditions. Rockwool core panels are known for higher fire resistance, such panels have achieved a Fire Resistance Rating (FRR) of 60 minutes in tests with a 120 mm Rockwool core wall panel assembly, for example. Panels with EPS, when flame retardant additives are used, provide reaction-to-fire protection and lower heat and flame spread in certain conditions, making them suitable for many commercial uses under correct SANS classification.
3. Key SANS Standards & Tests to Know
A few specific SANS tests and norms are widely referenced when evaluating insulated panel safety:
- SANS 10177-2, which examines fire resistance of structures when exposed to standard time-temperature curves, including integrity, stability, and temperature rise conditions.
- SANS 428, which classifies the reaction to fire of materials; how readily a material ignites, how much smoke it emits, etc.
Isowall panels undergo these tests or equivalent large-scale assessments to ensure they meet or exceed thresholds of flame spread, smoke emission, and structural performance.
4. Best Practices for Fire-Safe Panel Installation & Use
Having properly tested panels is essential but installation, use, and maintenance also play a critical role in fire safety. Joints between panels must be sealed correctly, correct panel thickness and core type chosen for the environment, and flame-retardant grades used where required. Ensuring that panels are installed with attention to details like support framing, clearances, and avoiding sources of ignition helps preserve the integrity of the fire rating. Maintenance, regular inspections, and keeping surrounding material and environment compliant are equally important.
5. Why Choosing SANS-Compliant Panels Matters for Decision-Makers
For architects, building owners, and safety engineers, specifying SANS-compliant panels like Isowall’s provides peace of mind. Compliance not only reduces risk of property and life loss, it also helps with insurance, regulatory approval, and long-term durability of the building. Investing in higher rated panels can result in savings in the event of fire, lower costs of retrofitting, and better reputation for safety.
Get in Touch with Isowall Today
Fire safety should always come first. By understanding fire ratings, knowing which Isowall panel types are right for your project, and ensuring proper installation, you can protect both lives and assets. Specify panels that meet SANS standards and choose trusted partners who are committed to compliance and performance.
Ready to ensure fire safety in your building project? Contact Isowall today to get panel specifications and expert advice tailored to your application. Choose safety, choose compliance.
