Envirograf - A leading force in passive fire products

Established in 1979 by MD Derek Ward, the Envirograf® brand quickly evolved to become a leading force in passive fire products. Having developed fire retardant and fire stopping products for numerous scenarios, the company’s reputation as an innovator and developer is widely recognised with many products unique to Envorgraf®.  For example, they are the only company to make intumescent pipe collars in sizes that extend all the way up to a huge 900mm.

Envirograf® passive fire products are subject to rigorous quality control which, at all stages, ensures products remain at the leading edge of fire containment technology. This quality has earned the company and its passive fire products a high reputation, with its operating system being accredited to ISO9001.

From Intumescent paints that provide over 60 minutes protection for a variety of materials including timber, steel,  plasterboard and concrete, through fire stopping blocks and cavity barriers to intumescent seals and electrical fire protection, the vast range of products enjoys widespread international demand.  Envirograf® coatings have been used in virtually all temples in China and, since the horrific bush fires in Australia, they have achieved the necessary Bush Fire Test required to help protect properties from such events and are now used throughout the country.  

Mr Ward says that, when it comes to passive fire protection, every risk must be considered to ensure that loss of life and property are kept to a minimum.  While many people are aware of the importance of fire barriers in preventing or delaying the spread of fire, they do not always consider the implications when breaching the fire barrier, for example, to allow electrical wires or other services to pass through a wall, floor or ceiling. That is why a range of Envirograf® intumescent products has been designed, to safeguard the integrity of fire barriers by swelling to seal such gaps should the worst happen and fire break out.

Other passive fire products in the Envirograf® range are designed to protect a structure or item so that it can maintain its structural performance in a fire; load-bearing steelwork or fire doors, for instance.  Choosing the correct passive fire products is essential. Seals must offer the same level of fire protection as the fire barrier they are to seal. For example, a ceiling with a fire protection rating of 60 minutes needs a passive seal with a rating of 60 minutes in order to maintain its integrity. When it comes to protecting a structural item in a building, it is vital to find out its protection rating and ensure that it maintains the load-bearing capacity in a fire.

Sister company, EnviroEcoWall Panels has been established to manufacture one of Mr Ward’s latest innovations, a pre-engineered, insulated, load bearing panel system designed to form a fireproof building envelope - a modern method of construction that is perfect for new build houses, bungalows and industrial projects.  

As the need for eco-friendly, cost-effective building methods becomes ever greater, this unique system combines structure and insulation into one prefabricated, thermally efficient component.  Not only are EnviroEcoWall Panels protected from fire by Envirograf’s intumescent coatings, the buildings are also designed to cope with flooding as they are constructed on a unique metal sub-frame that can carry the structure from 150mm to any height off the ground and, should circumstances dictate at a later date, can be raised to a new level in 300mm intervals.

Keen to demonstrate the fire-beating capabilities of the system, the company built and furnished a two-storey house and then set two fires, one on each floor.  The amazing fire-resistant properties of the EnviroEcoWall panel system contained the fires and eventually forced them to self-extinguish.  This successful fire limitation combined with the absence of water damage meant that repair and renovation was quick, easy and, therefore, much more economical - the whole refurbishment process took just a few hours!

The system further suits today’s conditions as the strict quality control during the off-site fabrication process ensures dimensional accuracy, helps to reduce build time and minimises waste on site. 

Using the same high-spec system, the company recently introduced a range of smaller buildings designed to provide temporary accommodation units for the homeless.  These buildings provide self-contained accommodation including kitchenette, shower with WC and open-plan living/bedroom.  They can be built as single units, terraces or even two-storey blocks to make the most of available space.  Enviro Eco Wall Panels are seeking to partner up with councils or the government to ask them to offer land supplied with electricity and water for these buildings to be built on. The company even offers a solution if mains drainage is not available on the site.

For more details you can call 01304 842555 or email sales@envirograf.com