Marmox Fireboards for School Safety

How Insulation Plays a Crucial Role in Education Spaces

From managing disruptive students and engaging with parents at open evenings to coping with financial constraints, education professionals face numerous challenges. One critical responsibility, however, falls on those involved in designing and constructing school buildings—ensuring that the fabric of these spaces meets both thermal and fire safety standards.

Effective insulation plays a crucial role, helping schools address extreme temperatures, combat the effects of thermal bridging and improve fire safety.

Balancing Thermal Efficiency with Fire Safety

The challenge for architects, contractors, and specifiers is to balance insulation’s primary function—heat retention—with other essential performance requirements. The aftermath of the Grenfell Tower inquiry and the introduction of the Building Safety Act have pushed fire resistance to the forefront of construction considerations. In response, Marmox has leveraged its expertise in polymer concrete coatings—first seen in its popular Multiboard range—to develop an innovative new solution that prioritises fire safety: Marmox Fireboard.

A Non-Combustible Insulation Solution

Marmox Fireboard combines mineral stone wool with Marmox’s industry-leading polymer concrete coating, maintaining the renowned honeycomb surface structure of its XPS predecessor - Marmox Multiboard. This design allows it to be used in both internal and external wall insulation (IWI/EWI) applications while offering a Class A1 non-combustible rating, as tested and certified by BRE according to BS-EN13501-1. Additionally, Fireboard has been tested to BS-EN13501-2, providing 60 minutes of fire resistance in a standard application.

Fireboard panels are available in 600mm x 1200mm dimensions, with thickness options of 20mm, 50mm, and 100mm. With a nominal density of 150kg/m³ and a compressive strength of 90 tonnes/m², Fireboard is highly versatile and can even be incorporated into floor build-ups. Its fully water-resistant coating makes it suitable for use as a weatherproof render-backer or as an internal wall and ceiling board ready for plaster finishing.

Additional Benefits of Fireboard

• Ceiling Protection – Helps prevent fire from spreading between floors.
• Offsite and Modular Construction – Ideal for prefabricated structures.
• Superior Sound Absorption – Reduces noise transmission, making it beneficial for schools where classrooms are adjacent to music or sports rooms.
• Thermal Performance – Contributes to improved U-values in both new builds and refurbishments.

Solving Thermal Bridging in Schools

Thermal bridging has been a known issue since the 1990s, with Building Regulations striving to mitigate heat loss at critical junctions—particularly at floor/wall junctions where the damp-proof course (DPC) is installed. Left unaddressed, this can lead to condensation, mould growth, and even health risks, as seen in cases like Awaab’s Law, which was introduced after a tragic respiratory illness case linked to poor housing conditions.

A proven solution to this problem is Marmox Thermoblock. With over a decade of proven performance, Thermoblocks provide a robust thermal break that eliminates cold bridging while also offering superior load-bearing capacity compared to standard insulation materials. These blocks are completely different to standard thermal blocks and work in a different way. (Read why they are different here)

Why Choose Marmox Thermoblock?

• Available in 100mm, 140mm, and 215mm widths
• Incorporates high-strength epoxy concrete mini-columns for load-bearing up to 10 newtons
• Suitable for traditional masonry, timber frame, and modular buildings
• Commonly used beneath internal load-bearing walls, timber frames, thresholds and parapets
• Installed using Marmox 360 adhesive for seamless, secure jointing

By incorporating Marmox Thermoblock at the base of internal/external walls, schools can significantly reduce heat loss, improving energy efficiency and maintaining a healthier indoor environment for students and staff.

Conclusion

Marmox is dedicated to providing insulation solutions which improve thermal efficiency and fire safety—critical factors in the construction and refurbishment of school buildings. With Fireboard and Thermoblock, educational facilities can achieve long-term performance benefits, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and cost-effective learning environment for years to come.