Fire-Rated Drywall in Mallorca — Passive Fire Protection

Plasterboard type F or DF per EN 520 (Placo Pregyfeu, Knauf Fireboard, Pladur FON), reinforced with fibreglass and vermiculite additives that retard fire. Unlike type A standard board (white), fire-resistant board (pink) retains structural integrity for 30-240 minutes (EI-30 to EI-240) under direct fire exposure. Reaction-to-fire classification Euroclass A1-A2 s1 d0, the highest for non-metallic products.

Mandatory under CTE-DB-SI (Fire Safety Basic Document) in: 1) Hotels and public premises compartmentation, EI-60 minimum between rooms. 2) Car parks EI-120 every 100 m² or 2,000 m² compartment. 3) Protected staircases EI-90 with lobby. 4) Retail unit party walls EI-90. 5) Steel structure protection R-60 to R-180. 6) Technical rooms (lift, HVAC) EI-120. 7) Service penetrations between compartments.

From EI-30 with a single 12.5 mm F board up to EI-240 with triple-board systems. Typical Knauf/Placo configurations: EI-30 (€39/m²) for interior domestic partitions; EI-60 (€52/m² canonical) hotel and holiday apartment compartmentation; EI-90 (€65/m²) retail party walls and protected staircases; EI-120 (€78/m²) underground car parks and firewalls; EI-180/240 (>€90/m²) industrial compartmentation and fuel storage.

Full technical dossier: Declaration of Performance (DoP) from Placo, Knauf or Pladur for each F/DF board; datasheet with system EI classification (EN 1364/1365 testing) and Euroclass reaction-to-fire (EN 13501-1); signed installation certificate with project reference; process photos (profile, Rockwool insulation, double board, Hilti CP606 sealing); written 2-5 year warranty. Required by fire brigade, fire-protection engineering and activity legalisation.

Canonical prices: EI-30 fire-resistant partition from €39/m²; EI-60 double F board €52/m² (reference price); EI-90 €65/m²; EI-120 firewall €78/m². Fire encasement of steel beams and columns R-60 to R-120: €55-90 per linear metre (Placo Fireboard + sprayed vermiculite). Fire-stopping of service penetrations (Hilti CP606, Promat Cablecoat): €30-80 per unit. Mallorca surcharge 10-15%. Fixed quote in 24-48h after site visit. 21% VAT not included.

EN 520 classification by performance combination: 1) F board: standard fire resistance, 12.5-15 mm, dry indoor use. 2) DF board: higher density (≥800 kg/m³) for thinner EI-90 to EI-120. 3) DFH board (or reinforced H1): combines fire + moisture resistance, ideal for hotel bathrooms with EI-60 compartmentation (Saint-Gobain Glasroc F). 4) Mesh-reinforced fire-resistant board (Knauf Fireboard, Placo Glasroc F): bilaminar fibreglass core, reaches EI-120 with a single board in special configurations.

Yes for car parks >100 m² or with more than one level, per CTE-DB-SI section 1. Requires EI-120 compartmentation every 2,000 m² and EI-120 firewalls between garage and dwellings. In Mallorca this affects most residential buildings in Palma, Calvià and Alcúdia with underground parking. We install Knauf W118 or Placo Metal Stud 100 systems with double 15 mm F board and 60 mm Rockwool 433 (λ 0.035 W/mK). EI-120 certified by AIDICO testing.

Three systems based on R (structural resistance) and geometry: 1) Encasement with Placo Pregyfeu or Knauf Fireboard over CD profile: R-60 to R-180, aesthetic finish for retail and offices. 2) Sprayed vermiculite or mineral wool (Fendolite, Promat): R-120 to R-240, cost-effective for industry. 3) Intumescent paint Promat Promapaint SC-4 or Hempel: R-30 to R-90, thin layers, ideal for exposed structure in cafés and lofts. Price €55-90/lm depending on required R.

Yes. CTE-DB-SI classifies these uses as Hospital, Educational and Public Residential (the most demanding along with Public Assembly). Typical requirements: EI-60 between classrooms or rooms; EI-90 in protected staircases; EI-120 in vertical circulation cores; evacuation routes with Euroclass A2 s1 d0. We use Placo Glasroc F + Knauf Fireboard with double 15 mm board and Hilti CP606 perimeter sealing. Projects completed in Palma clinics and Manacor and Inca care homes.