An innovative concrete product has achieved a Class B reaction to fire classification in accordance with EN 13501: Part 1 with Chiltern International Fire Ltd (CIFL). Concrete Cloth (CC) is a flexible, cement-impregnated fabric that hardens on hydration to form a thin, durable, waterproof and fire retardant concrete layer.

Inventors William Crawford and Peter Brewin initially developed Concrete Cloth (CC) for the award-winning Concrete Canvas Shelter a ‘building in a bag’ which found immediate favour with the military and disaster relief organisations. As William Crawford explained, ‘Concrete Cloth has a number of applications in the civil and construction sectors, including ditch lining, pipe protection, roofing, asbestos containment, flood defences and erosion control. However, we needed to carry out reaction to fire testing to be able to take the product forward for interior use, both in building and other applications such as film sets, where evidence of fire performance is absolutely essential.’

Chiltern International Fire worked closely with Concrete Canvas to devise a comprehensive test programme covering a range of thicknesses from 4mm to 13mm, with horizontal and vertical joints. It comfortably achieved Class B, which is more than adequate for most internal building applications.

Mr Crawford added, ‘CC has good drape characteristics, allowing it to take up the shape of complex surfaces, including those with a double curvature. The unset cloth can be cut or tailored using basic hand tools, so is flexible and easy to use on site. The Chiltern International Fire classification document, including mounting on wood-based products and blockwork , will be key to marketing the product more widely in the construction sector.’ The product has already attracted considerable media attention, both because it is innovative and because the company turned down significant investment offered by the Dragon’s Den sponsors who wanted too large a stake in Concrete Canvas.

Email: jean.kloos@btinternet.com