Fire performance of bio-based PCM lined LSF wall
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Date
2020-10-20
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Abstract
Light gauge steel framed (LSF) wall systems are made of cold-formed steel studs lined with different types of wallboards. Increased demand for LSF wall systems has led to researchers focusing on improving their fire performance. Moreover, the thermal mass of LSF wall systems is not adequate compared to conventional wall systems, resulting in poor thermal performance. Thermal energy storage techniques can be used to increase the thermal mass of wall systems. Phase change materials (PCM) could be used due to their high thermal storage capacity, which can increase the thermal mass of LSF wall systems. PCM absorbs or loses energy and undergoes a phase transition from solid to liquid or liquid to solid, respectively, which helps to maintain the indoor thermal comfort level. Nevertheless, few organic PCM could increase the fuel load during the fire. Fire performance of LSF wall systems enhanced with PCM has not been investigated. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the fire performance of LSF wall systems enhanced with bio-based PCM under standard fire conditions. Fire rated gypsum plasterboards were used as lining in LSF wall systems. Findings reveal that higher fire resistance was obtained for LSF wall systems, lined with the bio-based PCM liners. This paper presents the fire test results of LSF wall systems made of fire rated gypsum plasterboards and lined with or without bio-based PCMs.