• Cost-effective and fast to construct
• No wet trades required
• No additional trades required at framing stage
• Conventional installation of internal linings at plastering stage

While in a conventional fire-rated wall system fire resistant outer linings provide protection to the wall substrate, in the PARTIWALL system the main Fire Barrier is located within the wall cavity and is designed to protect the structure on the side opposite to the fire. At the same time, the SHAFTLINER™ MOULDSTOP Fire Barrier relies on this structure for the support as the structure on the fire side loses stability or collapses.

In order to ensure that the SHAFTLINER MOULDSTOP Fire Barrier is not damaged by the collapse of the structure on the fire side, aluminium clips are used to attach the Fire Barrier to the steel frames on both sides. As the clips on the fire side melt, the SHAFTLINER MOULDSTOP Fire Barrier is disconnected from the collapsing structure and is supported by the clips and the structure on the protected side for the specified fire rating period.

The PARTIWALL® system has been fire tested at CSIRO’s laboratory at North Ryde in Sydney. The performance of various system configurations have been assessed in CSIRO’s reports: FSV-0381 and FCO-3359 and BRANZ’s report FC16905-01-1.

The PARTIWALL system provides Fire Resistance Levels (FRL) of 60/60/60 and 90/90/90. In the case of a fire, the structural adequacy and load bearing capacity is provided by the wall frame on the other side of the SHAFTLINER™ MOULDSTOP Fire Barrier.

The PARTIWALL system has been the subject of extensive laboratory testing at the CSIRO Acoustic Laboratory at Highett, Victoria.

Acoustical opinions have been determined by Renzo Tonin and Associates Pty Ltd in opinion number RT&A TE405-20S06(r2).

To prevent damage from the weather, all materials must be suitably protected during construction. Knauf recommends that exposure of the SHAFTLINER MOULDSTOP Fire Barrier to the elements should be minimised, and that it should be protected if exposure is likely to exceed one month or when periods of intense inclement weather, such as heavy rain or high winds, are expected. Allow SHAFTLINER MOULDSTOP panels to dry out before lining the occupancy areas.

Temporary exposure of SHAFTLINER MOULDSTOP panels to moisture should not downgrade their fire resisting properties, as long as there is no physical damage to the panels in a wet state.

Knauf also recommends that concrete slabs on which the SHAFTLINER MOULDSTOP Fire Barrier is erected should be level, free draining and free of depressions where water can collect, removing the possibility of the panel standing in water for any length of time. The specified 6mm gap between the adjacent bottom track sections will facilitate drainage of water from the track.