Metal Sandwich Panels for Fire-Rated Partition Walls
2026-08-14
For non-load-bearing exterior walls, room partitions, and roof panels in buildings, when metal sandwich panels are indeed required, the core material shall be non-combustible, and the fire resistance rating shall comply with the relevant provisions of this code.
Building components must meet the corresponding requirements for combustion performance and fire resistance ratings. Therefore, when using metal sandwich panels, the following points must be noted:
(1) Components such as firewalls, load-bearing walls, walls of stairwells, partition walls of evacuation corridors, walls of elevator shafts, and floor slabs are required by this code to have high combustion performance and fire resistance ratings. However, the fire resistance rating of non-combustible metal sandwich panels is affected by factors such as the bulk density of the core material, the tightness of the filling, the thickness of the metal panels, and the structural configuration. The fire resistance ratings of metal sandwich panels from different manufacturers vary significantly and are generally relatively low. It is difficult for them to meet the requirements for fire resistance, structural load-bearing capacity, and self-stability of the aforementioned building components. Therefore, metal sandwich panels shall not be used for these components.
(2) For non-load-bearing exterior walls and room partitions, when the fire resistance rating of the building is Grade I or II, the combustion performance is required to be non-combustible, with fire resistance ratings of no less than 0.75h and 0.50h, respectively. Therefore, metal sandwich panels should not be used. When they are indeed required, the core material shall be Class A, and the fire resistance rating shall meet the relevant requirements of this code for the corresponding components. When the fire resistance rating of the building is Grade III or IV, the core material of the metal sandwich panels shall also be Class A, and the fire resistance rating shall meet the relevant requirements of this code for the corresponding components.
(3) For roof panels, when metal sandwich panels are indeed required, the combustion performance rating of the core material shall also be Class A. For accessible roof panels, due to the limitations of the sandwich panel's own structural configuration and load-bearing capacity, they cannot meet the fire resistance rating requirements stipulated in this code. Therefore, metal sandwich panels shall not be used for such roofs.
Article 5.1.7: For non-load-bearing exterior walls, room partitions, and roof panels in buildings, when metal sandwich panels are indeed required, the core material shall be non-combustible, and the fire resistance rating shall comply with the relevant provisions of this code.
According to Section 6.1.2 of the Implementation Guide for the General Fire Protection Code for Buildings (GB55037-2022), the thickness and height of the firewall itself shall have a reasonable proportion, and there shall be necessary connections and constraints between the load-bearing structure and the infill wall, ensuring both sufficient stability and prevention of damage caused by these connections and constraints when the load-bearing structure of the building collapses. Based on the intended use of the building on both sides of the firewall and the connection method between the firewall and the building structure, it shall be verified whether the lateral pressure (e.g., the force exerted by the collapse of shelves or goods in a warehouse) or lateral tension acting on the firewall will cause the firewall to collapse or be damaged when the building structure or large objects on either side are damaged or collapse. Based on the verification results, the connection or constraint methods between the firewall and the building structure shall be modified, or corresponding reinforcement measures shall be taken for the firewall.
Building components must meet the corresponding requirements for combustion performance and fire resistance ratings. Therefore, when using metal sandwich panels, the following points must be noted:
(1) Components such as firewalls, load-bearing walls, walls of stairwells, partition walls of evacuation corridors, walls of elevator shafts, and floor slabs are required by this code to have high combustion performance and fire resistance ratings. However, the fire resistance rating of non-combustible metal sandwich panels is affected by factors such as the bulk density of the core material, the tightness of the filling, the thickness of the metal panels, and the structural configuration. The fire resistance ratings of metal sandwich panels from different manufacturers vary significantly and are generally relatively low. It is difficult for them to meet the requirements for fire resistance, structural load-bearing capacity, and self-stability of the aforementioned building components. Therefore, metal sandwich panels shall not be used for these components.
(2) For non-load-bearing exterior walls and room partitions, when the fire resistance rating of the building is Grade I or II, the combustion performance is required to be non-combustible, with fire resistance ratings of no less than 0.75h and 0.50h, respectively. Therefore, metal sandwich panels should not be used. When they are indeed required, the core material shall be Class A, and the fire resistance rating shall meet the relevant requirements of this code for the corresponding components. When the fire resistance rating of the building is Grade III or IV, the core material of the metal sandwich panels shall also be Class A, and the fire resistance rating shall meet the relevant requirements of this code for the corresponding components.
(3) For roof panels, when metal sandwich panels are indeed required, the combustion performance rating of the core material shall also be Class A. For accessible roof panels, due to the limitations of the sandwich panel's own structural configuration and load-bearing capacity, they cannot meet the fire resistance rating requirements stipulated in this code. Therefore, metal sandwich panels shall not be used for such roofs.
Article 5.1.7: For non-load-bearing exterior walls, room partitions, and roof panels in buildings, when metal sandwich panels are indeed required, the core material shall be non-combustible, and the fire resistance rating shall comply with the relevant provisions of this code.
According to Section 6.1.2 of the Implementation Guide for the General Fire Protection Code for Buildings (GB55037-2022), the thickness and height of the firewall itself shall have a reasonable proportion, and there shall be necessary connections and constraints between the load-bearing structure and the infill wall, ensuring both sufficient stability and prevention of damage caused by these connections and constraints when the load-bearing structure of the building collapses. Based on the intended use of the building on both sides of the firewall and the connection method between the firewall and the building structure, it shall be verified whether the lateral pressure (e.g., the force exerted by the collapse of shelves or goods in a warehouse) or lateral tension acting on the firewall will cause the firewall to collapse or be damaged when the building structure or large objects on either side are damaged or collapse. Based on the verification results, the connection or constraint methods between the firewall and the building structure shall be modified, or corresponding reinforcement measures shall be taken for the firewall.
Suzhou Pharma Machinery Co.,Ltd.
2026/08/14
Gino
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