Introduction
If you have received a balustrade delivery from Stair Formwork Ltd, you will have noticed the protective wrap covering the handrails. This is not ordinary packing material—it is a carefully specified flame retardant wrap designed to protect both the product and your site.
What Is Flame Retardant Wrap?
We use POLYBATCH PR 50, an economical flame retardant masterbatch developed for polyethylene film extrusion. It contains halogen-based flame-retardant additives that inhibit ignition and slow the spread of flames.
Dual-Purpose Protection
Our wrap serves two critical functions:
- Physical Protection:
The primer finish on our mild steel balustrades is vulnerable to damage during transport, storage, and installation. The wrap prevents scratches, concrete splashes, and dirt accumulation, ensuring the surface is pristine when handed over for final finishing. - Site Safety:
Construction sites are high-risk environments for fire, particularly during hot work such as welding. Our site welders often need to complete handrail installation by welding joints or fixings. The flame retardant wrap reduces the risk of ignition during this process, providing an essential layer of fire safety.
Fire Test Performance
The wrap has been tested to international standards:
- UL 94 at 1.6mm: Achieves V-2 rating (self-extinguishing within 60 seconds)
- Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI): 28.5–29.5%, indicating high resistance to ignition
- DIN 4102: Passes B2 and B1 classifications depending on thickness
Conclusion
The flame retardant wrap is a small detail that makes a big difference. It protects your investment and keeps your site safer. It is just one example of how Stair Formwork Ltd thinks beyond the product to consider the entire construction process.
Ready to specify balustrades for your project? Contact us for a quote.