Nigerite showcases fire-resistant autoclave boards
By Kingsley Adegboye
Nigerite Nigeria Limited which prides itself as the largest manufacturer of building products in West Africa, presented its fire resistant Ultimate Autoclave board to building construction professionals.
The experts were drawn from the Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA, Nigerian Society of Engineers NSE, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS, Fire and Safety professionals and Nigeria Standards Organization, NSO.
The 51-year old company used the presentation which was held at its Ikeja Lagos headquarters to harp on the importance of safety in buildings.
The fire rating in building products exercise included fire resistant products manufactured by other competitors of Nigerite. At the end of the fire rating which was publicly exhibited, those products gave way at various degrees of fire while Autoclave board did not get burnt.
The Managing Director of Nigerite, Mr. Jean-Luc Viatour who spoke before the demonstration said the reason for the fire rating presentation was to educate users of Nigerite products, as the company takes its customers very important in taking decisions concerning its business. He added that the reason for the session was to show that Nigerite products are safe in terms of fire outbreak in homes and also to show the consequence of fire outbreak on buildings.
“The major reason for this gathering is to sensitise the populace about our products. Our duty as leaders of manufacturers of building products in the industry is to let people know about safety in buildings. It is important to educate people to have longer view about what is expected about safety in homes. The idea is also to sensitize the general public about products that are imported from abroad that are believed to be fire resistant but they are not, and they are fake.
“A lot of people are using these products because they are ignorant about the use of the products. It is important to educate people about standard products and sub-standard products in the market”, Mr. Viatour noted. Corroborating the managing director, the Marketing Director, Mr. Toyin Gbede said: “We comply with international standards. We emphasise on safety. Our workers work under conducive atmosphere. All our products have the same characteristics in terms of composition”.
Mr. John Bamgboye, Safety, Health and Environment Manager, Nigerite who carried out the fire rating said his company is affiliated to several safety organisations across the world. He explained that while PVC strip will burn at 151 degree centigrade, Aluco bond will burn at 338 degree centigrade but Autoclave board will not burn at all.
He said Ultimate Autoclave boards have unique feature and benefits when compared with flat boards.
According to him, the autoclave which processes at high temperature and pressure makes the boards very stable with excellent dimension stability when changes in humidity and temperature occur.
“Their stability allows the boards not to crack and the joints between the boards not to be susceptible to shrinkage and expansion. These characteristics are fully appreciated in interior and exterior applications”, Mr. Bamgboye noted.
The professionals who spoke at the event, unanimously agreed that Nigerite products are of international standards, recommending the Autoclave boards to construction use in the country.
