Mixture of natural fiber with gypsum to improve the fire resistance rating of a fire door: The effect of kapok fiber

Abstract

A composite mixture of gypsum and natural fibers has been considered in this study to enhance the fire resistance rating of a fire door. Previously the materials used to make a fire door are gypsum and fiber wool where it acts as a protective coating. Normally this fire door must be compact and able to close on its own. Natural fibers have the ability to replace glass fiber cotton because of its features that are available in fiber glass wool. When using fiberglass, it can cause health problem once it is swallowed and inhaled, and may remain in the lungs indefinitely. It also can contribute to lungs cancer. Kapok fiber has been used in this experiment as natural fibers. The objective of the experiment is to analyze the fire resistant rating of the composite mixture of gypsum with kapok fiber. The scopes of the experiment consist of a preparation of composite mixture samples of gypsum with kapok fiber with different composition and thickness, and the fabrication of a fire resistant testing furnace. A testing of samples which were conducted in accordance with the standard MS 1073: PART 2:1996. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.