About FireCrunch – The Real Value of Magnesium Oxide Construction

As governments struggle with climate change policies and the use of building materials suited for the diverse Australian climate, one manufacturer in the Australian construction industry has already made the move to planet-friendly building materials.

Developing stronger and more durable 21st century techniques, the FireCrunch composite (Green Now) structural building material eliminates some 95% of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in production. It also eradicates the need for mass destruction of oxygen-generating CO₂ absorbing trees just to make weak, ineffective, paper-lined plasterboard.

New Generation Product with Multiple Benefits

Magnesium Oxy-sulphate (MgSO₄) is a recent development in a new generation of MgO products, which has no corrosive chloride, (MgChl₂), using sulphate bonders (MgSO₄) which also eliminates any kind of metal corrosion (NATA Labs tested Australia).

Corrosion was a common issue with early MgO boards when they were not carefully and correctly sealed. That issue no longer exists with this new advanced cladding product, which provides several direct and indirect benefits.

Multiple Protections

Fire and Finish Board in Single Sheet

Whether it’s a multi-storey residential building, fire exits, stairs, lift wells, electronic switchgear board protection, residential or commercial boundary wall problems, factory dividing fire walls, fire dampeners, columns and beam protection, bushfire attack level flame zone (BAL FZ), plus 90% of major fire protection issues, FireCrunch provides the fire protection and the 100% top class finish.

Cost Comparisons

In lightweight steel or timber support frame construction, FireCrunch eliminates between three and six layers of other products, depending on the fire resistance level required. Less product means less weight, lower transport cost, less site labour, less crane work, less material and less install time.

Material costs and labour can drop as much as 50%, increasing the project’s return on investment, and producing a top class finish with regular roll-on undercoats and paints.

FireCrunch is sold directly to licensed builders (warranty) and construction companies – this is not a DIY product.

Some major construction companies and projects using FireCrunch include:

• WA – Olson Power Project
• NSW – Five major NSW Department of Justice prisons by Lend Lease, John Holland Richard Crookes
• NSW – West Connex Sydney project by John Holland
• NSW – Campbelltown Hospital by Cubic Construction
• NSW – The Children’s Hospital at Westmead additions
• QLD – The Gabba stadium QLD Government projects
• WA – Dematic Australia Pty Ltd – 14,000 m2 warehouse flooring
• NSW – Charles Sturt University Coffs Harbour accommodation modules
• QLD – Mirvac Heritage CBD Brisbane
• QLD – Mammoth Storage Brisbane 3000 m2 flooring

• A very large number of bushfire BAL FZ residential and general commercial constructions in suburban and bush fire areas

For more information or to get a quote, call 1300 933 102  or email sales@firecrunch.com.au.

By: Peter Jones, CEO FireCrunch Australasia Pty Ltd
Source: Build Australia magazine, January 2021