Non-combustible materials are building materials that do not burn or ignite when subjected to expected levels of fire or heat. Examples of non-combustible materials include brick masonry, concrete blocks, hardy backer board, calcium silicate board, cement board, metal, and certain types of glass.
DUROCK Next Gen Cement Board is a non-combustible panel and meets CAN/ULC S114 and ASTM E136.
A: Yes, HardieBacker board can be used as a fireplace facing. HardieBacker 1/4'' board can be used as a component in a 1-hour fire resistive construction when installed in compliance with National Evaluation Report NER-405. HardieBacker boards are recognized as non-combustible, when tested according to ASTM E 136.
All DUROCK cement board products meet ASTM Standard E136 for noncombustibility.
A key consideration of any external cladding for either domestic or commercial building facades is fire safety. Fibre cement cladding offers excellent levels of safety as it is non-combustible.
Fire Protection
But Hardie® siding will not ignite when exposed to a direct flame, nor will it contribute fuel to a fire. Because James Hardie brand products are non-combustible, many insurance companies offer a discount. We recommend sharing fiber-cement siding's fire-resistance qualities with your insurance carrier.
Cemgold is fire resistant, Cemgold is high impact strength and Cemgold is very strong and very easy to use.
While cement board is highly resistant to fire, it is not completely fireproof. Over prolonged exposure to intense heat, even cement board will eventually begin to deteriorate. However, its ability to resist fire for an extended period makes it an invaluable component in fire-rated assemblies.
Cements are non-combustible and non-explosive and will not facilitate or sustain the combustion of other materials. Cement poses no fire-related hazards.
The industry's solution for heat shields
By using an approved heat shield system, the required distance between the stove and adjacent wall can be significantly reduced. PermaBASE® Building Products are the industry-preferred choice and the only cement board approved for heat shield applications.
Choosing the Right Non-Combustible Framing Material
Metal studs are lightweight, easy to install, and provide structural stability. Another option is concrete blocks, brick, stone or light weight calcium silicate board which are known for their exceptional strength and fire-resistant properties.
HardieBacker® 12mm cement backerboard is fire rated class A1, meaning the product is non-combustible. HardieBacker® 12mm cement backerboard is CE approved and BBA certified since May 2004. Hardiebacker say it is fine for up to 100 degrees centigrade (it will not set on fire but can crack).
A high density cement board reinforced with inorganic fibers, NAD-11 is suitable for applications requiring continuous operation in temperatures up to 500°C (932°F). NAD-11 is dimensionally stabile, non-combustible, chemically inert, and it retains its mechanical strength at temperature.
Examples of non-combustible materials include steel, concrete, masonry, glass, and some insulating materials (fiberglass itself is noncombustible but the resins used can be combustible, rockwool insulation is noncombustible). Layperson's explanation: the material doesn't burn. (NFPA 13, 2022 edition, Section 4.9.
This means you are not required to build an entire fireplace out of brick or cement and instead use non-combustible materials for framing, wall construction, and finishing. Typically, fireplaces require steel framing and cement/concrete board when building within the unit's clearance to combustibles.
Use fire-retardant or fire-resistant sheathing, like non-paper-faced exterior gypsum or treated plywood. Use fire-retardant framing. Use fire-retardant or fire-resistant cavity insulation, like mineral wool, fiberglass, or cellulose. Use a non-combustible interior lining, like drywall.
Yes, HardieBacker® 1/4" Cement Board is deemed noncombustible when tested to ASTM E 136 and can be used in conjunction with other noncombustible materials around a fireplace. This does not mean that clearances to combustible building materials can be reduced by using HardieBacker 1/4".
Concrete does not burn – it cannot be set on fire and it does not emit any toxic fumes when affected by fire. Concrete is proven to have a high degree of fire resistance and, in the majority of applications, can be described as virtually fireproof.
Combustible materials are at risk of catching fire and spreading the fire to other parts of the building, whereas noncombustible materials are non-flammable and much safer. There are pros and cons to using each option, and it is not necessarily dangerous to use combustible materials.
The reason that Hardie Board is one of the most fire resistant home sidings is because it's made using cellulose fibers, cement, and sand. This produces a non-combustible material meaning it will not spread fire.
Durock is the best of the non combustible cement boards, Hardibacker is also acceptable, Wonderboard whereby might be OK has a mesh backing that in a fire can burn and emit fumes, Perma-shield has polystyrene in it causing the same hazardous fumes in an actual fire.
Cembrit Cempanel is a Class O particle board offering 1-2 hours of fire resistance.
Cement board or Hardi are not approved fire proofing materials as far as I know. They are not flammable but their cement composition readily transmits the heat of a fire through a wall. The water chemically bound in gypsum (sheetrock) is liberated by a fire's heat.
It is not as resistant to fire and cannot be used on floors or where water could come in contact with it because it is weak when wet. Because it can deteriorate over time, regular inspections of its condition should be conducted, especially when high-traffic areas are involved.
Why is concrete resistant to fire? There are three main reasons why concrete has been categorised as one of the most fire-resistant materials; concrete is non-combustible, it's non-toxic and it has low thermal conductivity.