Actifoam is a fire resistant foam rubber that is used in the building industry, the ship construction and refitting industry as well as in the installation sector. 

Actifoam has a closed cell structure so that it cannot absorb any moisture. Therefore this foam rubber is not only fire resistant but also has excellent thermal insulation properties. Actifoam foam rubber is activated by fire and expands in such a way that in a short time any openings are completely filled up. In that way the product makes a valuable contribution towards passive fire prevention in a wide range of industrial sectors.

ACTIFOAM foam rubber is based on the ACTIFIRE technology, which is developed by BEELE Engineering. 

The ACTIFIRE technology gives sealant materials an active and fire retardant function in the event of fire. These are sealants that when exposed to high temperatures or fire will produce new fire retardant material (in large volume).

ACTIFOAM provides a four-fold barrier and in addition offers a number of functionalities: 

Protective fire barrier

At the exposed side some expansion of the foam occurs and a crust is formed by the effect of the fire. This crust encloses the foam and at the same time acts as a shield against the fire. 

Thermal fire barrier

The foam behind the crust gradually loses its original structure and changes into a fine granular substance consisting of carbon. On the basis of the ACTIFIRE technology this is held together by the softened polymer so that a second fire barrier is formed whilst some thermal insulation is maintained. 

Retardant barrier

The layer of foam behind is thermally protected, and only those cells coming into contact with high temperatures will burst open. The remaining foam continues to provide insulation on the basis of its closed cell structure. As a result the process of change in the foam structure will steadily diminish. Depending on the length of time it is exposed to fire, this barrier will move further and further into the penetration. 

Sealant barrier

The temperature is now such that no more structural change takes place. The air in the closed cells can expand without bursting the cells. This results in volume expansion of the foam, and all the openings in the penetration are closed off. 

Increase in penetration length

Because the foam is enclosed inside the penetration, due to the volume enlargement of the closed cells the foam will expand towards the non-exposed side. In effect this means that the length of the penetration is extended and therefore the foam rubber mass receives long-term protection against further effects of fire and heat. 

External protection

The foam is held tightly in the penetration. Because of the pressure exerted by the foam mass expanding inside the penetration, some foam will be forced out of the opening. As a result, the foam emerging from the penetration will swell to a larger size than when it was inside the penetration. 

Mechanical stability

Outside the penetration the foam will be heated only by the cables and pipes it carries. The surface temperature will remain low and easily comply with the maximum temperature increase of 180°C as set by the standards. Furthermore the original cell structure is maintained at the non-exposed side. Therefore the foam remains mechanically intact as well.

Visit our website www.actifoam.com for a complete presentation of Actifoam.