Can UHPC Curtain Wall Panels Achieve a Class A Fire Rating? — Analysis of UHPC Curtain Wall Panel Fire Performance and Conditions for Meeting Class A Standards

Building safety starts with fire protection. In modern architectural design, the fire performance of curtain wall materials has become one of the core indicators for measuring a building's safety level. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in the UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials field, Qinglong Group will provide an in-depth analysis of the fire performance of UHPC curtain wall panels and the conditions for achieving Class A standards from three dimensions—material properties, technical standards, and engineering practice—offering professional reference for designers and owners.

I. Fire Performance of UHPC Curtain Wall Panels: Material Essence and Technological Breakthroughs

UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete), as a new generation of building material, derives its fire performance from a unique material composition. Compared with traditional concrete, UHPC incorporates steel fibers, ultra-fine silica fume, and other components, forming a dense ceramicized protective layer at high temperatures that effectively suppresses flame penetration and heat transfer. According to the "Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Exterior Wall Panels" standard T/CBMF171-2022, premium UHPC curtain wall panels can achieve a fire resistance limit of over 1.5 hours, meeting the core requirements for Class A1 non-combustible materials under GB 8624-2012. Through 28 years of technical accumulation, Qinglong Group has innovatively added composite mineral admixtures to its UHPC formula, enabling the products to retain more than 80% of their structural strength at high temperatures of 600°C, providing a solid fire barrier for the curtain wall system.

II. Core Elements of Class A Fire Standards: Full-Dimensional Control from Material to System

Achieving Class A fire standards is not merely about a single material meeting performance requirements; it requires the systematic coordination of material properties, structural design, and construction techniques. First, raw materials must meet non-combustibility requirements. Qinglong UHPC curtain wall panels use inorganic base materials such as Portland cement and quartz sand, containing no organic additives, eliminating the risk of flame spread at the source. Second, in structural design, optimizing panel thickness (typically ≥20mm) and reinforcement methods ensures the panels do not spall at high temperatures. In addition, Qinglong's original "dry-hanging fireproof joint" technology uses fire-resistant sealant and fireproof rock wool filling, enhancing the overall fire performance of the curtain wall system by 30%, perfectly meeting the stringent requirements of the "Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings" GB 50016 for high-rise building curtain walls.

III. Verification Through Engineering Practice: Fire Protection Application Cases of Qinglong UHPC Curtain Wall Panels

As a National High-Tech Enterprise and a participant in developing UHPC industry standards, Qinglong Group's Class A fire-rated UHPC curtain wall panels have been successfully applied in multiple landmark projects across China. In a provincial capital's culture and art center project, Qinglong UHPC double-curved curtain wall panels passed testing by the National Quality Supervision and Inspection Center for Fixed Fire Extinguishing Systems and Fire-Resistant Components, achieving a fire resistance limit of 2.0 hours, far exceeding the design requirements. The project innovatively combined UHPC with a GRG ceiling system, forming a full-space fire protection system from exterior walls to interiors, making it a model of safety for regional cultural buildings. In addition, in an airport expansion project in Southeast Asia, Qinglong UHPC curtain wall panels successfully obtained the highest-level certification from the local fire department thanks to their excellent fire performance and weather resistance.

Fire performance is the lifeline of building materials and the touchstone of a company's technical strength. With 28 years of professional experience as its foundation, Qinglong Group integrates the values of "honesty, perseverance, trust, and collaboration" into the R&D and production of every UHPC curtain wall panel—not only achieving a breakthrough in Class A fire performance of the material itself, but also safeguarding building safety through full-chain services. Looking ahead, Qinglong will continue to deepen its expertise in the UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials field, driving the upgrade of industry fire standards through innovative technology and building a solid safety defense for its mission of "creating beautiful architecture."