BlocoCelular · Algarve & Alentejo
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BlocoCelularBlocoCelularAdvanced Building Materials

AAC Thermal & Fire Performance: How to Read the Data

Thermal conductivity, reaction to fire and fire resistance describe different things. Reading them correctly prevents a useful product value from being turned into an unsupported claim about the whole building.

BAUBLOCK stock held by Algarve Bau
BAUBLOCK stock in the Algarve.

Thermal Conductivity Belongs to the Material

The BAUBLOCK declarations give different thermal-conductivity values for the main families: TERMECO ≤ 0.084 W/(m·K), UTILITAS ≤ 0.096 W/(m·K) and SILENSO ≤ 0.12 W/(m·K). These values help compare the block materials and feed the wall calculation.

The finished wall U-value is not the same as λ. Wall thickness, internal and external finishes, surface resistances, structural junctions and thermal bridges all contribute to the result. A designer therefore uses the declared product value as one input in the complete construction calculation.

Euroclass A1 Is Reaction to Fire

The current TERMECO, UTILITAS and SILENSO declarations classify the AAC as Euroclass A1 for reaction to fire. That describes the material’s contribution to fire, but it is not the same thing as a wall achieving a specific REI fire-resistance period.

REI 240: Strong Evidence, but for a Specific Tested Wall

The TERMECO 200 report supplied for this project records REI 240 for the tested 200 mm wall assembly under the conditions stated in that report. The reported configuration includes the tested wall thickness, BAUBLOCK thin-bed mortar, joint arrangement and applied vertical load. The test was stopped after 241 minutes.

That result is valuable evidence for the tested configuration. It should not be rewritten as “all BAUBLOCK walls are REI 240”. Different thicknesses, loads, junctions, finishes or construction details may require their own assessment.

How to Use the Data on a Real Project

  • Use the correct declaration for the exact product family and density.
  • Use λ in the complete wall thermal calculation rather than quoting it as a U-value.
  • Use fire-resistance reports only for assemblies that match the tested/assessed conditions.
  • Coordinate penetrations, openings and service routes because they form part of the fire and thermal detail.
  • Keep the applicable technical documents with the project specification and procurement record.
BlocoCelular presents the supplied manufacturer/test information for product selection and discussion. Final regulatory compliance and project performance remain the responsibility of the project designer and applicable approvals.
TERMECO family →Documentation library →Choosing BAUBLOCK blocks →

Technical statements on this page are based on the BAUBLOCK declarations, environmental declaration, supplied U-TEC drawing and/or TERMECO 200 fire report available in the project documentation.

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