Fire Safety & Construction Insights
Where can I buy FireCrunch?
FireCrunch material is available ex stock direct from FireCrunch warehouses in Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Perth 24/48 hrs and shipped to rural areas and other states 7 days road or sea. FireCrunch is a life saving fire composite sheeting and requires specific instruction to install to the Australian Fire Standards tested and cannot be sold over retail [...]
What types of render products can I use on FireCrunch?
Although FireCrunch tends to perform very well with most standard products, drying times may vary. All standard type renders can be used with FireCrunch, Render Systems Australia. Check suppliers instructions. Render Systems Australia – Multiple Render Products Pro Plaster base TRADES 40 and – 4T Multi-Purpose topping compounds “must be used with FCA” to retain the warranty, other manufacturers [...]
What types of paint can be used on FireCrunch?
Important information before painting or rendering FireCrunch MgSO4 cladding.FCA Magnesium boards require special attention to priming undercoating and painting under strict warranty provisions.Use roll on Recommended Primer and finish paints to manufacturer's instructions.
What type of board edgings does FireCrunch offer?
FireCrunch is produced in FIVE different thicknesses and 4 edge types: 10mm, 12mm, 16mm and 19mm TG which cover most 80-90% of all fire requirements. There are also a few different types of edges for different types of application. Sheets suit floors, walls interior and exterior, ceilings roofing and decks. To simplify this, please view the charts on the [...]
What thickness FireCrunch should I use for flooring?
FireCrunch 16mm TG is for exterior decking groove board. 19mm TG is ideal for flooring and for roof fire protection in bushfire areas to BAL FZ, over trusses before steel or tiled roofing installed.
What sizes and thicknesses does FireCrunch come in?
The FireCrunch standard range of sizes is as follows:
What should I do if FireCrunch gets wet before installation?
You should do all you can to prevent FireCrunch getting wet before installation as there will be some water absorption. If this happens, don’t worry, it just means you will need to separate the hydrated boards from each other and allow to dry in a sheltered warm space, preferably with low humidity. The boards will not be damaged or [...]
What is the R-Value for FireCrunch?
The R-value of FireCrunch is a measure of its thermal resistance. The higher the numbers the better the insulator. R-value is measured as m2/K/w The values for FireCrunch are: 10mm FireCrunch = 0.066 m2K/w 19mm FireCrunch = 0.132 m2K/w So the 10mm board has an R Value of 0.066 For example: To work out the approximate R-value for a [...]
What is the Fire Resistant Level (FRL) of FireCrunch?
FireCrunch has: Load bearing (steel frame FRL of 90/90/90 55Kn/ NATA LABS CSIRO NSW Load bearing (timber frame FRL of 60/60/60 NATA LABS RESOLUTE QLD on Load bearing FRL of —/120/120 more on application of additional 10mm sheet per side !! Read timber framing specs for FRL 30/30/30 (Bush Fire Manual) and FRL 60/60/60 (Main Fire Manual) before commencing work on [...]
What is FireCrunch made of?
FireCrunch is made up of a combination of primarily Magnesium Oxide (MgO) and special non-metal corrosive magnesium sulphate Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4)NEW TECHNOLOGY 2018FireCrunch is made up of a combination of primarily Magnesium Oxide (MgO) and Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4) This has been bonded with a small percentage of organic and IP composite materials, strengthened with fibre mesh.MgSO4 is a new development [...]
What are the acoustic properties of FireCrunch?
FireCrunch exceeds BCA minimum requirements for airborne sound insulation for a wall between attached dwellings or intertenancy walls and meets the highest possible AAAC acoustic rating of 5 stars. BCA Compliant Rw 62 plus ctr =net Rw 52 on DOUBLE STUD DISCONTINUOUS FRAME 76MM and 90MM Ask us for AS 717 certificate BCA Volume 2 Part 3.8.6 – Sound insulation [...]
Should I use nails or screws to fix FireCrunch?
FireCrunch must not be nailed, using hand hammered nails, this will void the warranty. Power driven nail hammers can be used however, always extra screw fix the 4 corners and board centres, and as well use corrosive proof galvanised nails only. Take note of the recommended screws that must be used. (See Manuals & Drawings) FireCrunch Australasia warrant the [...]
Is information available on the strength of FireCrunch for flooring?
Yes.Tests have been carried out at the NATA Brick & Mortar Research Laboratory in Melbourne VIC.,an Australian NATA Labs testing authorityTESTED Standard Square Edge 19/20mm FireCrunch (Over 450mm AND 600 CENTRES 5.3 AND 6.2 kN, the TG board will of course rate higher
Is FireCrunch waterproof?
Standard FireCrunch is a water resistant product before sealed, in that it does not retain water; if unsealed in warm weather it will release any moisture. This means that an “unsealed board will absorb some moisture in damp or wet areas” if left unsealed. You should not expect the board to hold it’s integrity if submerged in water or [...]
Is FireCrunch toxic in any way?
No. FireCrunch contains no formaldehyde, no asbestos and no toxic chemicals or CORROSIVE MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE. FireCrunch uses Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4) being a non-corrosive element and in this regard is unique at present in Australia ( NO VOC).
Is FireCrunch Termite Proof?
Yes. Termites, one of the worst contributors to home damage, have no interest in FireCrunch, they cannot consume it and are repelled by (MgSO4) TOTAL PROTECTION FOR EXPENSIVE TIMBER FRAMING.
Is FireCrunch Sound Proof?
Yes. FireCrunch has a high sound insulation rating : Rw62 PLUS ctr NET Rw 52. FireCrunch exceeds BCA minimum requirements for airborne sound insulation between walls AS 717. See Certifications.
Is FireCrunch Fireproof?
FireCrunch has a very high fire resistance and has been tested at temperatures up to 1200ºC for over four (4) hours and board did not ignite or pass flames) CSIRO. FireCrunch passed the following BCA ABCB AND NCC tests in 2015, re-assessed July 2020 to 2025, further re-assessed in 2025 to 2029 (CSIRO). AAS1530.1 Non-combustible building cladding AS1530.4/2014-2029 Fire [...]
Is FireCrunch environmentally friendly?
Yes. FireCrunch is recyclable, contains no toxic chemicals, FORMALDEHYDE, ASBESTOS OR VOC (Ask us for copy SDS or see Certifications, Australian Govt legal requirement) support@firecrunch.com.au or call 1300 933 102. FireCrunch has one tenth the carbon footprint of fibre cement plasterboard and due to the need for less repair, has less wastage. During the manufacturing process, in carbonation, FireCrunch draws [...]
Is FireCrunch comparable in price to plasterboard?
FireCrunch is more expensive than plasterboard due to the additional properties that make FireCrunch a superior lining product. We cannot give you price variations here as plasterboard prices vary between suppliers, however, the cost of maintaining plasterboard in the long term well outweighs the cost of installing FireCrunch to begin with. Plus only 1 layer of 10mm FCA equals [...]
How should FireCrunch be stored and handled?
Although FireCrunch does not degrade in water it should not be left out in the rain as there will be a low % of HYDRATION IE, absorption of water. If this does happen the board will have to be dried out before use… drying out the board will not cause warping or any loss of integrity. FireCrunch should always [...]
How is FireCrunch different to plasterboard?
FireCrunch differs from plasterboard in a number of ways in that it is: Approx. ten times stronger It won’t degrade in water* It cannot be eaten by termites so totally protects timber framing Is easier to handle and use (less chance of board damage) Can be used as both an indoor and outdoor lining Improves the thermal and sound [...]
How does FireCrunch perform in tropical, high humidity areas?
Priming sealing before painting or rendering. FireCrunch must always be primed, undercoated and finished regardless of where or how it is used, however this is particularly important in areas of high humidity. Extra care must be taken to ensure the board is sealed correctly on the face, top and exposed edges, leave the inner back rough side of board [...]
