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VERMITEX® 'DX'

Steel Beams, Columns & Angles
(Exterior Applications)

Product Description

Vermitex® ‘DX' is a Vermiculite-Cement blend plus trace chemical additives and lightweight polymer microspheres formulated to provide passive fire protection to elements of building construction on a variety of backgrounds.

Recommended Uses

Application may be carried out by hand but preferably by mechanical means to exterior steel, concrete and other substrates generally without the aid of mechanical reinforcement(1). Vermitex® ‘DX’ may also be applied to a multitude of backgrounds to enhance the Fire Resistance Level (FRL) of building and construction elements and at the same time provide a more durable finish.

Product Characteristics

Description: Proprietary cementitious material
Finish: Monolithic, can be trowelled after placing
Colour: Gray to Off White with a pastel pink tone
Packaging: 50 Lt. bag
Coats: One or more as required
Cure: Hydraulic set
Initial Set: 6 to 8 hours
Coating interval: Up to 8 hours


Tested Properties

Applicable standards
AS 1530.4; BS 476 20 & 21; ASTM E119
Fire Resistance Level:
1 to 4 hours inclusive
Specific Weight:
430 kg/m³ (± 10% at bagging)
pH:
12
Thermal Conductivity:
0.127 W/m.K ± 10%
Compressive Strength(MPa):
0.9 to 1.0
Vermitex® 'DX' Bond Strength to ASTM E 736 to:
 
Black steel, Avg. Load(MPa)
0.14
Primed steel (‘Galmet’ Coating), Avg. Load(MPa)
0.1
Concrete, Avg. Load(MPa)
0.33


Vermitex® 'DX' thickness range

Steel members configuration
3 sided
4 sided
Hp/A Value (m-1)
47.1 to 282.6
55 to 439.6
corresponding ESA/M (m²/Tonne)
6 to 36
17 to 56
 
Thickness (mm)
Vermitex® 'DX' thickness for 60/ - / - FRL:
8-11 mm
12-18 mm
Vermitex® 'DX' thickness for 90/ - / - FRL:
8-17 mm
12-24 mm
Vermitex® 'DX' thickness for 120/ - / - FRL:
11-22 mm
12-31 mm
Vermitex® 'DX' thickness for 180/ - / - FRL:
21-34 mm
19-43 mm
Vermitex® 'DX' thickness for 240/ - / - FRL:
30-45 mm
30-56 mm


Application Instructions

Vermitex® ‘DX’ is sprayed by mechanical means onto substrates requiring protection at the corresponding thickness stipulated by the Manufacturer (refer Thickness Tables over). The element being protected should be free from: mill scale, heavy rust, oil, excessive dust or any other substance which may impair proper adhesion of the Vermitex® ‘DX’ to the background. (2)

Mechanical reinforcement is not required for interpolated thickness specified in the Thickness Tables, however on continuous smooth surfaces, either horizontal or vertical and especially if subject to continuous vibrations, thermal or construction movement, the Designer should specify the installation of a ‘Primer/Bond-coat’ equal to Vermitex® ‘7’. Where surfaces are exposed to severe: environmental conditions, flexural stresses, vibrations, thermal expansion and construction movement LAF highly recommends that the Designer require the installation of mechanical reinforcement to follow the contour of the element, with the mesh located approximately 2/3 through the spray thickness.

Vermitex® ‘DX’, when applied in well ventilated areas to a thickness of 25 mm, will dry in 2-3 weeks. Please note that Vermitex® ‘DX’ is prone to frost damage and temperatures surrounding the areas being sprayed should not be allowed to fall below 4°C for a week, after installation. The material can be applied to a thickness of 20 mm in one application, thicker applications are possible, however this will depend on the state of the background being sprayed, its water-uptake capacity and the experience of the applicator. Multiple coatings will achieve a smooth and even textured finish, however a new coating should only be applied over one that has partially set. Where this is not possible the last coating surface should be left with a ‘deep & rough texture’ or purposefully scratched. When ‘Trowelling’ or ‘Ruling’ is unavoidable the applicator should not ‘overwork’ or ‘polish’ the sprayed material.

Vermitex® ‘DX’ may be painted however suitable sealers and paints are required (2).

In exterior conditions it is preferable that Vermitex® ‘DX’ be protected with a suitable surface coating, as the Vermitex® ‘DX’ cannot be relied upon as a rust preventative coating. It is a porous substance, which allows the passage of moisture through to the substrate. In exterior conditions the substrate should also be suitably primed with an approved rust primer (2).

Bond Coat, Primer Com Corrosion prevention

When applying Vermitex® ‘DX’ to primed or unprimed structural steel without the aid of mechanical reinforcement a ‘Bond Coat’ equal to Vermitex® ‘7’ must be applied. No specific thickness is required when spraying Vermitex® ‘7’, however coverage of between 50 and 75 % of the area is required. Vermitex® ‘7’ will enhance the adhesion of the Vermitex® ‘DX’ to the substrate as well as facilitate application of the Vermitex® ‘DX’ by reducing its ‘slippage’ on smooth backgrounds.

Where primers are required alkali resistant zinc-rich primers are recommended, however the paint manufacturer should be consulted to ensure compatibility with the Vermitex® LAF have a comprehensive list of compatible primers and will supply on request.

Vermitex® may react with Aluminium and Aluminium alloys and a suitable primer is recommended.

Steel parating construction

When steel elements intersect or form part of a Separating Element (partition, ceiling, etc) care must be taken to ensure that the Insulation Criteria requirement (mandatory in some Building Codes & Standards) for Separating Construction is not impeded.

Coverage

One 50 litre bag of Vermitex® ‘DX’ will cover approximately 1m² at a nominal thickness of 50 mm (without wastage considerations).

Vermitex® specification (Broad Form)

Before commencing the Vermitex® ‘DX’ application, the substrate shall be inspected by the Main Contractor to ensure all elements to be sprayed are free from any substance which may impair proper adhesion of the spray material. (2) All adjacent areas not requiring treatment shall be suitably protected against droppings and overspray.

Vermitex® ‘DX’ as manufactured by L & A Fazzini Manufacturing Pty Ltd shall be installed by an approved Specialist Contractor to the thickness of ..xx.. mm to provide a Fire Resistance Level of ..aaa / bbb / ccc ..(insert required thickness and FRL).. .

The Specialist Contractor shall provide all materials, accessories, spray equipment, tools, inspection services and labour to satisfactorily carry out the works in best trade practice. All workmanship and installation techniques shall comply with the Manufacturers ‘Application Instructions’, relevant Building Code Statutory requirements and a, BS or AS Standards.

Refer to Test Data for more information


Vermitex® ‘DX’ Thickness Table

Tested to AS 1530.4 & BS 476, Part 20 Appendix D & Part 21 aplying with ASTM E119

Hp/A
Fire Resistance Period (minutes)
Fire Resistance Period (minutes)
m-1
Three Sided Exposure
Four Sided Exposure
 
60
90 120 180 240 60 90 120 180 240
47.1
8
8
11
21
30
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
55.0
8
9
14
24
33
12
12
12
19
30
62.8
8
10
15
25
35
12
12
12
22
34
70.7
8
11
16
26
36
12
12
13
25
36
78.5
8
12
17
27
37
12
12
15
27
38
86.4
8
12
17
28
38
12
12
17
29
40
94.2
8
13
18
28
38
12
12
18
30
42
102.1
8
13
19
29
39
12
13
19
31
43
109.9
8
14
19
29
40
12
14
20
31
44
117.8
9
14
19
30
41
12
15
21
33
45
125.6
9
14
20
30
41
12
16
22
34
46
133.5
9
15
20
31
41
12
17
23
35
47
141.3
9
15
20
31
42
12
17
23
35
48
149.2
10
15
20
31
42
12
18
24
36
48
157.0
10
15
21
31
42
13
18
24
37
49
164.9
10
15
21
32
42
13
19
25
37
49
172.7
10
16
21
32
43
13
19
25
37
50
180.6
10
16
21
32
43
13
19
26
38
50
188.4
10
16
21
32
43
14
20
26
38
51
196.3
10
16
21
32
43
14
20
26
39
51
204.1
11
16
22
32
43
14
20
27
39
51
212.0
11
16
22
33
44
14
21
27
39
52
219.8
11
16
22
33
44
15
21
27
39
52
227.7
11
16
22
33
44
15
21
27
40
52
235.5
11
16
22
33
44
15
21
28
40
52
243.4
11
17
22
33
44
15
21
28
40
53
251.2
11
17
22
33
44
15
22
28
40
53
259.1
11
17
22
33
44
16
22
28
41
53
266.9
11
17
22
33
44
16
22
28
41
53
274.8
11
17
22
33
44
16
22
28
41
54
282.6
11
17
22
34
45
16
22
29
41
54
290.5
====
====
====
====
==>
16
23
29
41
54
298.3
===
Refer
4sided
Results
==>
16
23
29
41
54
306.3
====
====
====
====
==>
16
23
29
42
54
314.0
====
====
====
====
==>
17
23
29
42
54
321.9
====
====
====
====
==>
17
23
29
42
54
329.7
====
====
====
====
==>
17
23
29
42
55
337.6
====
====
====
====
==>
17
23
30
42
55
345.4
====
Refer
4sided
results
==>
17
23
30
42
55
353.3
====
====
====
====
==>
17
23
30
42
55
361.1
====
====
====
====
==>
17
24
30
42
55
369.0
====
====
====
====
==>
17
24
30
43
55
376.8
====
====
====
====
==>
17
24
30
43
55
384.7
====
====
====
====
==>
18
24
30
43
55
392.5
===
Refer
4sided
results
==>
18
24
30
43
55
400.4
====
====
====
====
==>
18
24
30
43
56
408.2
====
====
====
====
==>
18
24
30
43
56
416.1
====
====
====
===
==>
18
24
30
43
56
423.9
====
====
====
====
==>
18
24
31
43
56
431.8
====
====
====
====
==>
18
24
31
43
56
439.6
===
Refer
4sided
results
==>
18
24
31
43
56


Health Statement

Vermitex® ‘DX' contains no asbestos and presents no known health hazard before, during or after application. Normal precautions relevant to the handling of cement products apply: dust mask, eye protection and covering of sensitive skin.

 

For more information or MSDS on Vermitex® 'DX' or any other products,

please see the technical data page, or contact: L & A Fazzini Manufacturing Pty Ltd

 
 

 

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L & A Fazzini Pty Ltd - ABN 68 000 330 496
L & A Fazzini Manufacturing Pty Ltd - ABN 67 000 439 485

New South Wales Office
Address: 21-25 Wentworth Street Greenacre NSW Australia 2190
Postal Address: PO Box 13 Greenacre NSW Australia 2190
Contact Details: Tel 61 2 9642 4745, Fax 61 2 9742 5164
Freecall 1800 629 305 (for Australian Clients only)

Email:sales@lafgroup.com