Does GRC Meet Fire Performance Standards? An Analysis of Authoritative GRC Fire Performance Certification

Fire performance is a mandatory safety requirement that architectural decorative materials must meet. As a cement-based inorganic material, GRC is inherently non-combustible, and premium products can achieve Class A (A2) under the national standard GB 8624-2012, qualifying as non-combustible materials. Qinglong GRC products, tested by the National Quality Supervision and Inspection Center for Fixed Fire Extinguishing Systems and Fire-Resistant Components, fully meet the regulatory fire performance requirements for all types of buildings.

In the interior decoration project of the Shanghai Tower, Qinglong GRC's fire performance underwent the most rigorous testing. The project required all materials to reach Class A, with a smoke toxicity rating no lower than t1 (quasi-safe level). The GRC hollow partition panels supplied by Qinglong not only passed the SBI (Single Burning Item) test, but also delivered excellent results in smoke production, smoke toxicity, burning droplets, and other indicators. In the component fire resistance test, a 100mm-thick GRC panel, under the standard fire curve, showed a temperature rise on the unexposed face of no more than 140℃ within 120 minutes, with integrity fully maintained and a fire resistance limit exceeding 2 hours—fully meeting the construction requirements for fire walls.

Combustion Performance Classification Certification

Qinglong GRC was tested in accordance with the GB 8624-2012 standard, achieving Class A2 combustion performance and Class t0 (safe level) smoke toxicity. Its combustion growth rate index FIGRA is ≤120 W/s, and its total heat release within 600s, THR, is ≤7.5 MJ—far exceeding the standard requirements. This means that in a fire, GRC barely participates in combustion and does not release heat, buying precious time for evacuation.

Fire Resistance Limit and Integrity

The fire resistance limit refers to the time it takes for a component to lose its stability, integrity, or thermal insulation under standard fire conditions. Thanks to its low thermal conductivity (0.5-0.8 W/(m·K)) and stable high-temperature performance, a Qinglong GRC panel as thin as 20mm can achieve a 1-hour fire resistance limit. In a fire, GRC does not spall or melt and drip like some materials, effectively maintaining the integrity of fire compartments.

High-Temperature Stability and Retention of Mechanical Properties

GRC performs stably in long-term use below 300℃, and can withstand short-term exposure to temperatures above 1000℃ without violent decomposition. After high-temperature exposure, its residual compressive strength remains above 50% of its room-temperature strength, outperforming most organic decorative materials. This means GRC often does not need to be completely replaced after a fire, resulting in lower repair costs.

Smoke Toxicity and Environmental Safety

Qinglong GRC uses environmentally friendly raw materials free of halogens and heavy metals, and does not release highly toxic smoke such as hydrogen chloride or hydrogen cyanide under high-temperature or combustion conditions. Its smoke toxicity test results are far below the standard limits, ensuring that people in a fire will not be fatally harmed by inhaling toxic smoke.

GRC's fire performance has been certified by national authoritative institutions and verified through extensive engineering practice. In public buildings, high-rise buildings, and transportation hubs with stringent fire safety requirements, GRC is a reliable choice. Qinglong GRC regards safety as its lifeline, and its products are faithful guardians of building safety.