Plaster: a Silent Ally in Fire Protection

In construction, plaster is valued not only for its ease of application or its aesthetic finish. Its role as a passive fire protection material is fundamental and often underestimated.

Plaster: a Silent Ally in Fire Protection

August 6, 2025

Why does plaster protect against fire?


Plaster contains 21% crystalline water in its structure. When exposed to high temperatures, this water is slowly released as steam, an endothermic process that absorbs heat and delays the temperature increase in building elements.

This phenomenon, known as dehydration, turns the plaster into a natural barrier against fire.

Frequent technical applications:

  • Coating of metal structures: to increase their resistance to collapse in case of fire.
  • Partitions and false ceilings with type F laminated plasterboard (EN 520): EI classification of up to 120 minutes, depending on thickness and system.
  • Fire-resistant compartmentation systems in residential, industrial, and tertiary buildings.
  • Protection of ducts and trays for technical installations (multilayer systems with plaster and other non-combustible materials).

At Farraus, we develop machinery to process plaster with maximum precision, because we know that the safety of buildings also depends on its quality.

Did you know that such a common material as plaster has this protective capacity?

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