In today’s building environment, the performance of materials is under increased scrutiny. DuPont has focused on improving fire safety with its comprehensive A2-s1, d0 system, which includes:
DuPont Tyvek® Trifecta™ Breather Membrane
DuPont AirGuard® A2 FR AVCL
DuPont AirGuard® FR System Tape
When used together, these products enhance both the exterior and interior fabric of a building. The combination of Tyvek® Trifecta™ with the DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR AVCL & Tape System delivers exceptional benefits in energy efficiency, moisture management, air quality, and overall comfort within the building.
This integrated fire-retardant system complies with the United Kingdom’s strict building regulations for fire safety with the assurance of a 25-year DuPont Warranty.
Explore more about our enhanced fire products here
Case study: Tyvek® Trifecta™ at a Major Hotel’s Expansion Project
When faced with new fire safety regulations, TKS sought our expertise to integrate Tyvek® Trifecta™ into their hotel design. Our Tyvek® specialists provided on-site training and a ‘toolbox talk’ for the installation team, sharing best practices for effective membrane application. This hands-on support continued over several weeks, ensuring compliance with building regulations and instilling confidence in the installation process.
With our commitment to collaboration, TKS not only met critical fire resistance standards but also transformed their vision into reality, creating a safe environment for hotel guests and staff.
Ready to elevate your projects with expert support? Discover more about our Building Knowledge Centre and the team available to provide expert guidance.
Discover the Benefits of Tyvek® Trifecta™ – Winner of R&D 100 Award
We’ve got some amazing news to share, and we want you to be part of it! Our team at DuPont Performance Building Solutions has won the prestigious 2024 R&D 100 award in the Mechanical/Materials category for our latest innovation, Tyvek® Trifecta™. This confirms that our next-generation breather membrane is the real deal, providing fire safety and moisture protection.
Now, we invite you to check out what makes Tyvek® Trifecta™ stand out! We’ve got comprehensive resources for you on our website. Be sure to check out our latest document and case studies. Take the leap and learn more about how our latest product innovation can help your building today!
Triple + performance. What makes Tyvek® Trifecta™ stand out from the crowd?
DuPont™ Tyvek® Trifecta™ breather membrane (1.5m x 50m)
A2-s1, d0 fire rating
Designed for all building heights* (18m+/11m+) with enhanced fire safety throughout its lifespan.
Highest level W1 class water-holdout
Delivers consistent weatherproofing performance and outstanding resistance to water, wind-blown rain, snow and dust.
Superior vapour permeability to 0.416 MNsg / SD 0.08m
Permits drying out of the moisture in the build-up throughout the year.
6 months of free exposure and UV resistance
Supports better quality of façade installation by reducing risk of moisture penetration during construction
Tensile resistance MD 4000 N/50mm, XD 3500 N/50mm
Durable, less risks of damage or tear during the installation.
Lighter weight product (400 g/m², 15 kg/roll)
Easy to install.
Wider dimension of the roll reaching 1500 mm
1500 mm roll reduces onsite man-hours and ancillaries needed, thanks to higher coverage area with fewer laps required.
Explore all the details and access guides, documents for Trifecta on our product page
2024 DuPont. All rights reserved. DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with ™, ℠ or ® are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise
Using DuPont Tyvek® and AirGuard® construction membranes and accessories Melius Homes re-skins walls and roof with modern materials that provide greatly enhanced performance, protecting the occupants from the harmful effects of heat, moisture and air leakage. Photos courtesy of Melius Homes, all rights reserved.
Melius Homes (www.meliushomes.co.uk) is a building firm with a clear philosophy: build high quality, affordable, flexible new homes and transform existing dwellings into energy efficient, comfortable and healthy homes Rather than demolish structurally sound houses, Melius Homes re-skins walls and roofs with modern materials that provide greatly enhanced performance, protecting the occupants from the harmful effects of heat, moisture and air leakage. In order to achieve these goals and to be suitable for use in any location, Melius Homes specified a selection of DuPont construction membranes and accessories.
“With this project, we retain the existing building, and therefore it’s embodied energy. We encapsulate it to provide minimal air leakage, typically < 1m3/hr/m2. This is an improvement of greater than 90% over the building regulations and can be applied to almost any existing structure, whatever its type, across the whole of the UK.” said Paul Clark, Design Manager at Melius Homes.
On the wall panels warm side, DuPont™ AirGuard® SMART is incorporated as the AVCL and this provides a 100% airtight layer, combined with a controlled level of vapour resistance, in order to minimize convected heat losses. On the external, cold side of the Melius Homes panel, a W1 rated DuPont™ Tyvek® Reflex is fitted, and this means that not only can the panels be used in any exposure area, the uniquely lacquered, metallised surface, provides a protected low-e material, to permanently boost the performance of the insulation. DuPont™ Tyvek® Metallised tape is used to seal the membrane laps and maintain the systems thermal performance.
On the roof panels, a similar build up is employed, but here a layer of DuPont™ Tyvek® Supro underlay is used. Unrestricted when tested to BS5534 +A2 2018, Tyvek® Supro can also be used in any location in the UK, regardless of site location, height above sea level, proximity to water, site topography and ceiling condition. Adding to the convenience is the roll size – being 3.0 x 50m means minimizing overlaps which increases the speed of installation in the factory.
All buildings have penetrations and here, Melius Homes make use of DuPont™ Tyvek® Flexwrap EZ. The flexible nature of Tyvek® Flexwrap (a 1m length will stretch to 1.6m) makes it ideal for any sealing application, regardless of shape or size, with the need for separate grommets eliminated.
“We never seemed to have the correct size for the job! Tyvek® Flexwrap EZ means that all we need to do is cut it to length and this, in turn, means that there is no waste, an important consideration when constructing low carbon homes”, commented Paul Clark.
Quick and easy to install, the Melius Homes approach, and the Tyvek® and AirGuard® membranes and accessories that are used, ensures the best performance possible and utilises the best of both worlds – retained masonry construction for thermal mass and timber panels for maximum thermal performance and airtightness. This is vital because airtightness ensures that the system performs “as designed”, with virtually no performance gap, and keeps heating bills to a minimum.
Using DuPont Tyvek® and AirGuard® construction membranes and accessories Melius Homes re-skins walls and roof with modern materials that provide greatly enhanced performance, protecting the occupants from the harmful effects of heat, moisture and air leakage. Photo courtesy of Melius Homes, all rights reserved.
About Melius Homes (www.meliushomes.co.uk) – Melius Homes brings years of experience to the challenge of creating a bespoke home with the consistency and reliability of a manufactured product. Their homes are built in a systematic and controlled way, with much of the fabrication undertaken in an enclosed factory environment.
This approach allows the firm to manage the construction and assembly processes with real rigour. Factory fabrication reduces the number of construction faults and improves the internal fit and finish of materials, built-in fittings and appliances in bathrooms and kitchens. The same approach is applied to the vital ‘hidden’ elements – the wiring, plumbing, heating and ventilation systems – that form an increasingly important role in new, low-energy cost homes.
About DuPont Performance Building Solutions – A division of the Water & Protection segment of DuPont, DuPont Performance Building Solutions is a global innovation leader in the building and construction industry, providing products and materials for the building envelope. With today’s focus on the reduction of emissions and improved energy efficiency, you can count on brands such as Tyvek®, AirGuard®, Great Stuff™, InstaStik™ and Froth-Pak™ that have been at the heart of
building solutions for decades backed by unmatched industry insight, building knowledge, and technical support.
The products and services portfolio of DuPont Performance Building Solutions enables customers to focus on what they do best, no matter where and how they choose to build. To know more about DuPont Performance Building Solutions in the UK, please visit https://www.dupont.co.uk/building.html
In support of its aspiration to lead and partner in delivering solutions that transform how lasting affordable shelter is created for people around the world, DuPont Performance Building Solutions
(PBS) has set a series of Sustainability Goals, aligned within the framework of DuPont’s 2030 Sustainability Goals. Specifically, DuPont Performance Building Solutions aspires to:
Direct 100 percent of the innovation portfolio to meaningfully advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and create value for customers;
Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from operations by 75 percent from 2019 levels;
Advance the circular economy in the building industry through innovation in materials and business models, collaboration, and end-of-life plans that eliminate and upcycle waste across the product life cycle;
Collaborate with customers and partners to bring green chemistry innovations to market and will drive continued reduction in the presence of priority substances in the product portfolio;
Work to build communities, strengthen families, and empower the next generation across the globe.
About DuPont – DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com.
DuPont™, the DuPont oval logo, Tyvek®, the Tyvek® logo system and all other products denoted with ™ or ® are registered trademarks or trademarks of affiliates of DuPont de Nemours Inc., unless differently specified. Other logos, trademarks and registered trademarks are a property of their respective owners.
Forta Pro modular solutions with DuPont™ Tyvek® deliver energy efficiency and increase interior comfort.
April 2021 – “Kvarteret Jylland” is a new student accommodation consisting of 350 micro-apartments), located in Kista, Northern Stockholm, Sweden. The project mission was to build modern, sustainable and attractive premises for young people. The Kvarteret Jylland complex (7100 square metres, four buildings) was completed in a short amount of time by the Latvian-based company Forta Pro, that specializes in modular construction solutions based on energy efficiency and sustainability concepts. 178 modules were fabricated and installed. DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes and accessories have been used by Forta Pro for the building envelope to protect the construction from water, air and moisture and to increase the comfort and well-being of the students.
Kvarteret Jylland student accommodation, in Kista (Stockholm, Sweden), built by Forta Pro company. Forta Pro’s modular solutions deliver energy efficiency and use DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes and accessories for the building envelope; photos courtesy of Forta Pro, all rights reserved.
Modular construction is a process that uses off-site, prefabricated building methods. It ensures better construction quality management and less disruption. Projects can be completed up to 50% quicker than traditional construction methods. The pre-engineered structures are manufactured and assembled off-site
in a factory-controlled environment. DuPont building materials provide holistic solutions that fulfill the requirements of this housing project, of modular construction techniques, and improve energy efficiency.
DuPont™ AirGuard® vapour control membranes were used with the internal insulation to deliver superior airtightness. These membranes are extremely resistant, lightweight, flexible and easy to install, they maintain their characteristics over time and help to optimize the building performance. A DuPont™ Tyvek® Tape was used to join the membranes and create a continuous barrier with no leakage.
Kvarteret Jylland student accommodation, in Kista (Stockholm, Sweden), built by Forta Pro company. Forta Pro’s modular solutions deliver energy efficiency and use DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes and accessories for the building envelope; photos courtesy of Forta Pro, all rights reserved.
On the exterior walls, a Tyvek® vapour-permeable and water-resistant membrane provides high performance protection from weather conditions. To create an optimum building envelope, DuPont™ Tyvek® Flex Wrap was used to seal the outer construction penetrations such as pipes and conduits.
Inside, a Tyvek® tape seals around the window frames. With their wide variety of products and world-class technical know-how, DuPont Performance Building Solutions help building and construction
professionals and companies to meet the new and demanding requirements in terms of airtightness and increased energy efficiency.
“The Kvarteret Jylland project was challenging in many ways and it was essential to cooperate with our partners for a successful outcome. From the beginning, we rely on partners like DuPont who can assist us throughout the entire process with daily contact, training in our production facility and technical support. We have been using Tyvek® membranes and accessories for a few years and they help us in finding solutions to the challenges brought by our clients, both in terms of installation, airtightness and energy efficiency. DuPont always provides us with high-quality materials backed by a warranty, with continuous support and they understand our requirements, all within reasonable costs.” said Jānis Priede, Project manager, Forta Pro.
Kvarteret Jylland student accommodation, in Kista (Stockholm, Sweden), built by Forta Pro company. Forta Pro’s modular solutions deliver energy efficiency and use DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes and accessories for the building envelope; photos courtesy of Forta Pro, all rights reserved.
While working on the off-site manufacturing, Forta Pro proceeded with the work on the construction site, which led to major time savings. The pre-fabricated modules, assembled on-site, created four multi-storey buildings with high standard, comfortable accommodations. The synergy between the Forta Pro process and DuPont™ Tyvek® and AirGuard® products – all backed by a DuPont warranty – allowed them to build modern, sustainable and attractive premises for the students in Kista.
About Forta Pro (fortapro.com) – Based in Riga, Latvia, Forta Pro company uses a modular construction techniqueenabling the development of environmentally sustainable buildings, contributing also to saving energy and time during the construction process. The company produces – in its fast and cost-effective linear production line with a large production capacity – high standard modular units suitable for multiple-story facilities construction.
Forta PRO features advanced off-site building methods offering a fast-track modular and construction solutions with minimal disruption to the operation of surrounding facilities. The advanced prefabrication enables Forta PRO to speed-up the timetable for construction projects in a way that is not achievable by the on-site building technology. Strict quality control implemented in our modern factory and supported by Forta PRO multi-disciplinary professional team provides a guaranteed comprehensive quality solution. Forta PRO can plan, design, and build from scratch or expand existing facilities.
Forta Pro’s modular solutions deliver energy efficiency and use DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes and accessories; photos courtesy of Forta Pro, all rights reserved.
Forta Pro’s modular solutions deliver energy efficiency and use DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes and accessories; photos courtesy of Forta Pro, all rights reserved.
About DuPont Performance Building Solutions – A division of the Water & Protection segment of DuPont, DuPont Performance Building Solutions is a global innovation leader in the building and construction industry, providing products and materials for the building envelope.
With today’s focus on the reduction of emissions and improved energy efficiency, you can count on brands such as Tyvek®, AirGuard®, Great Stuff™, Insta Stik™, Froth-Pak™ and LiquidArmour™ that have been at the heart of building solutions for decades backed by unmatched industry insight, building knowledge, and technical support. The products and services portfolio of DuPont Performance Building Solutions enables customers to focus on what they do best, no matter where and how they choose to build. To know more about DuPont Performance Building Solutions, www.building.dupont.com
In support of its aspiration to lead and partner in delivering solutions that transform how lasting affordable shelter is created for people around the world, DuPont Performance Building Solutions (PBS) has set a
series of Sustainability Goals, aligned within the framework of DuPont’s 2030 Sustainability Goals. Specifically, DuPont Performance Building Solutions aspires to:
Direct 100 percent of the innovation portfolio to meaningfully advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and create value for customers;
Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from operations by 75 percent from 2019 levels;
Advance the circular economy in the building industry through innovation in materials and business models, collaboration, and end-of-life plans that eliminate and upcycle waste across the product life cycle;
Collaborate with customers and partners to bring green chemistry innovations to market and will drive continued reduction in the presence of priority substances in the product portfolio;
Work to build communities, strengthen families, and empower the next generation across the globe.
About DuPont – DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com.
DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR enhances the building fabric in terms of airtightness, energy efficiency and moisture management, improving indoor air quality and providing exceptional fire safety to the building and its occupants.
DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR
Surpassing the Fire Regulations
Today the fire performance of materials used in buildings is under closer scrutiny than ever before and the regulations continue to be updated. DuPont has introduced a step change in their building membranes offering: a fire retardant AVCL with European Fire Classification A2.
Membrane & Tape System – Independent Classification: A2-s1,d0
For DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR AVCL to provide effective airtightness and vapour control it is crucial that all laps, junctions and penetrations are sealed. In order to give assurance that a complete system is ‘fire-safe,’ a full system test, including horizontal lap sealing with Tyvek® 2060M Tape has been successfully tested according EN 13501-1 at the Prüfinstitut Hoch -> Classification Report, KB-Hoch-200148, 4th March 2020.
Features & benefits
Feature
Benefit
Fire Classification surpasses all national building regulations and standards for construction materials used in walls in the UK and Ireland
· Fire-retardant
· Suitable for all building types, heights and proximities
Tested and classified for free-span, on mineral wool slab, gypsum plasterboard or fibre cement board
· Suitable for all building types, heights and proximities
· Suitable for high humidity buildings, such as swimming pool halls etc
Exceptional tear and tensile strength characteristics
New DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR joins DuPont™ Tyvek® FireCurb® Housewrap to create an advanced solution that exceeds regulations
Safety is a core value at DuPont. Innovative solutions and materials specifically addressing fire safety have been developed by DuPont for over 50 years. In the construction industry, DuPont™ Tyvek® is a pioneer when it comes to fire safety in building membranes, introducing its Tyvek® FireCurb® Housewrap breather membrane in 2013.
As building regulations rapidly and appropriately catch up since the Grenfell tragedy in London – and as most fires begin inside buildings – DuPont has also been working hard to develop an airtight and vapour control layer for the internal walls and ceilings in its high performance AirGuard® range to offer similarly advanced, non-toxic, fire-resistance with proven efficacy.
Now architects, developers, planners and building control officers can have confidence in a complete membrane and tape solution for durably enhanced fire safety, in both the exterior and the interior fabric of a building. While Tyvek® FireCurb® Housewrap forms a weather-protective, vapour-open lining behind ventilated facades, new DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR AVCL brings benefits for energy-saving, moisture management, air quality and climatic comfort to the building interior, together with its added fire-retardant function.
Tyvek® FireCurb® Housewrap utilises DuPont patented self-extinguishing technology, as when flames meet the membrane they stop, die down and then go out. The halogen-free coating limits the propagation of flames and the formation of droplets, reduces smoke and makes a very limited contribution to any fire.
DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR airtight and vapour control layer (AVCL) is truly fire-retardant and has been independently classified with a Class A2 rating. Along with Tyvek® 2060M Metallised Tape, DuPont now offers a complete membrane and sealing tape system with certified A2 classification. These products provide exceptional fire safety that even surpasses existing regulations.
However, as with all systems – be they intended for fire safety or airtightness – correct installation and the sealing of all laps, junctions and penetrations is crucial. In addition to airtightness and vapour control, properly taped systems also help to reduce smoke penetration, which tends to be responsible for more casualties than the flames themselves.
In order to give assurance that such a complete system is ‘fire-safe’, a full test that includes the sealing tape has recently been conducted to EN 13501 at the Prufinstitut Hoch (Classification Report, KB-Hoch-200148, 4th March 2020.) DuPont also offers clear and comprehensive technical guidance and support to ensure its products perform as designed.
New DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR fire-retardant air and vapour control layer (AVCL) is designed for use within the internal wall system behind finishes such as dry-lining and is compatible with a variety of materials from mineral wool to gypsum plasterboard and cement particleboard – and is suitable for all building types, sizes and locations.
As well as offering its fire retardant properties, it maintains all the advantages inherent in the AirGuard® Reflective range in terms of thermal performance, with its low emissivity surface, 100% airtightness and W1 water tightness, together with high vapour resistance to limit interstitial condensation – and furthermore it is suitable for areas of high humidity.
Whether for application in a bungalow, a high-rise structure or a key public building, these robust membranes and their associated accessories offer not only reliable performance, easy installation and full regulatory compliance, but a vital investment in greater safety – both during and after installation. In achieving a combination of improved energy-efficiency and the protection of both people and property, the products can deliver long term peace of mind for building designers, constructors, owners and occupants alike.
About Tyvek® FireCurb® Housewrap and DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR
These ground-breaking versions of the renowned DuPont building membrane range have additional and superior flame retardant performance. Tyvek® FireCurb® Housewrap uses innovative technology to reduce the flammability of polymer based substrates to decrease the risk of fire spreading through the external and internal envelope. Rather than using halogens, the technology employs a phosphorous-containing agent that forms a ‘char’ layer at the surface when it is in contact with an ignition source. This thin layer of carbonized polymer is highly flame retardant and forms a barrier, slowing the release of flammable materials. Starved of fuel, the flame spreads over the membrane more slowly or not at all and if the membrane ultimately caught fire, it produces less smoke, another vital advantage for safety. Rigorously tested, Tyvek® FireCurb® has a fire rating of class B-s1,d0 according to EN13501-1. DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR combines a lacquered low emissivity foil, laminated to a glass fibre mesh and is classified for reaction to fire as A2-s1,d0 to EN 13501-1: 2007+A1:2009. Full system classification: DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR AVCL plus Tyvek® 2060M tape.
The new fire retardant DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR AVCL
About DuPont™ Tyvek® & DuPont Building Membranes and Products: DuPont™ Tyvek® advanced building membranes are unique in the market due to their high-quality single layer construction. Tyvek® breather membranes, in all their specialised versions, are naturally vapour open but also durably wind and water-tight. Lightweight yet robust, it is easy to install and offers long-term, proven reliability. Designed to protect the building envelope against the effects of weather and moisture, this family of membranes also offers optimal air-tightness and water holdout and can help to improve the thermal performance, energy-efficiency, interior climatic stability, and in the case of Tyvek® FireCurb® and DuPont™ AirGuard® A2 FR, enhanced safety.
Tyvek® is also designed to work as part of a holistic and optimal system with a range of other proven DuPont products for the building envelope, including the DuPont™ Tyvek® AirGuard® advanced AVCL series, the highly versatile Tyvek® FlexWrap air and water sealing tape, plus other specialised tapes and sealants. All DuPont building products come with the renowned service, expertise and technical back-up of a world-class science company.
About DuPont Safety & Construction
DuPont Safety & Construction is a global leader in delivering innovation for life’s essential needs in water, shelter and safety; enabling its customers to win through unique capabilities, global scale and iconic brands including Corian®, Kevlar®, Nomex®, Tyvek®, GreatStuff™ and Insta-Stik™.
About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, health and wellness, food, and worker safety. More information can be found at www.dupont.com/.
For more information about DuPont™ Tyvek® and AirGuard® or technical advice, please contact the DuPont™ Tyvek® Building Knowledge Centre in Bristol, UK. Email: Tyvek.construction@dupont.com or telephone 0117 970 9454/9455.
For Sales enquiries, contact us by phone on 0117 970 9456 or via our website’s Contact Us page www.building.dupont.co.uk
