FM Approved Insulated Panels
What is Factory Mutual (FM) Approval?
FM approval is the independent testing body of the international insurance company, FM Global.
FM approval deploys scientific research and testing to ensure that products comply with the highest safety standards available. These standards help you reduce the chance of property loss due to fire, weather conditions, and failure of electrical or mechanical equipment.
They incorporate nearly 200 years of property loss experience, research, and engineering results, as well as input from consensus standards committees, equipment manufacturers and others. If products pass the strict tests, the laboratory grants it the “FM approved” mark.
Why is it essential to choose the FM approved insulated panels?
In the current market, fire prevention and reduction of fire risk is the most critical issue faced by insulated panels. If a product is FM approved it conforms to the highest national and international fire standards. In Australia, more and more businesses are choosing to build their facilities using FM approved insulated panels for the following reasons-
- They are recognised by insurance companies which contributes to reducing the overall building insurance cost significantly.
- They are recognised by building assessors which helps accelerate building approvals
- They are proven to reduce damage in cases of a disaster, which leads to faster recovery
- They require less safety facilities, which reduces overall building cost and construction time
FM approval protects the current & future value of your building by insuring it against significant losses, it also protects your monetary investment. To discuss the requirements of your facility please contact us at KB Building Group for advice. Ph. 1300 52 5665.
Cleaning And Maintenance of Cool Room Panels
Cool rooms are places where food and drinks are processed and stored. Consequently, a cool room tends to get dirty and contaminated by bacteria very quickly.
The following key items are recommended good practice when caring for your insulated panels to preserve quality and ensure longer life spans of your cool room.
Inspect the slip joints on a regular basis, as any problems will be visible and can be addressed before they become too much of an issue.
Once moisture has entered the panel it will cause bulging. This bulging may cause outside air to enter the panel, reducing the efficiency of the cool room. Moisture could enter by of any of the following means- a poorly sealed slip joint, an excessive gap that has developed between the panels, a panel has been punctured, or by panels not being assembled correctly. Any of these issues need to be addressed immediately.
When cleaning, use chemicals specifically designed for cool rooms and do not exceed the concentration of the mixture specified. Clean from top to bottom avoiding excessive exposure on panel joints. Using steam cleaners should be avoided, as it will damage the surface. High pressure washers can be used but not too closely.
Clean using a soft bristle nylon broom to gently wipe down the walls from top to bottom. Avoid excessive scrubbing as this can damage the surface seal.
Monitor sealant performance at the base of the panels to ensure that water is not being absorbed into the panels.
Design a maintenance schedule for your staff. Record any abnormalities so that you can detect developing trends. Place emphasis on observing any irregularities as small issues could grow into big problems. Hire a professional for regular maintenance checks when warranted, and to repair any damage correctly.