Dutch family business is world player in fire and smoke sealing

In more than 86 years, SABA has grown into a world player in the production of adhesives and sealants for a number of specific markets, including construction and infrastructure. According to senior account manager Henri van Geenen, safety and working safely are important spearheads. This results in a number of unique and innovative solutions. For example, SABA was the first manufacturer to bring a paintable, elastic fire-resistant sealant classified on the market. And also now it is the first, with a smoke-resistance classification according to NEN 6075.

Text | Roel van Gils  Image | SABA

"The topic of fire-resistant sealing is high on our agenda," Van Geenen begins. "Safety and safe working are definitely our spearheads and woven throughout the company. Our focus here is mainly on the development of specialized adhesives and sealants for specific applications. For example, to provide a fire-resistant solution at junctions where different materials come together and where permanent deformation/setting plays a role. Anything but standard, in other words. An area in which our high-quality products, which we classify under the collective name Sabaprotect, excel."

Sabaprotect stands for a broad adhesion spectrum, good elastic properties and fire resistance proven by an independent institute.

Fire resistance

According to Van Geenen, Sabaprotect stands for a broad adhesion spectrum, good elastic properties and fire resistance proven by an independent institute. "Sabaprotect was the first paintable, elastic fire-resistant sealant on the market, a non-silicone product. The fire resistance is achieved by the sealant itself and not with additional supporting materials such as fire-resistant Pur or rock wool backfills. So one does not have to perform any additional actions on the building site to ensure fire resistance. That saves costs and saves time."

Smokeproofing

SABA's R&D department is not sitting still. For example, the family business recently launched a first in the field of smoke resistance. Van Geenen: "We are now also the first manufacturer on the market to have a smoke resistance classification according to NEN 6075. In 2021, with the new BBL 2021 (Besluit Bouwwerken Leefomgeving) as part of the new Environment Act, this will become an obligation." In fact, according to Van Geenen, current legislation falls short when it comes to smoke resistance. "Today, the 'one-and-a-half rule' applies in which smoke resistance may be derived from fire resistance. This is rightly the subject of much debate because cold smoke (temperatures <200°C) spreads tremendously fast, even before many fire-resistant materials are activated. Smoke is also the leading cause of death in fire, according to research. It is therefore good that the legislation is being amended and we already offer the right products for that."

You can develop such high-quality products, if they are applied incorrectly, the final solution will not suffice.

Opinion

SABA values advice and knowledge sharing. After all, you can develop such high-quality products, but if they are applied incorrectly, the final solution will not suffice. "In all our advice, we have a strong focus on the combination of detail, product and processing. The construction must be designed correctly, the product you use must have the right properties and parameters, and the processing must be flawless. Only then will the final solution be satisfactory. We therefore work closely with our customers, the processors, organize training courses and workshops to share and highlight the latest state of the art," Van Geenen concludes.