Closed Cup Rivets for Fire Safety

Standard rivets used in construction allow both water and air to flow through them, which is a major cause of corrosion in ducting and insulation systems. To answer this problem, BS Stainless supply closed cup rivets which, designed with an integral HNBR washer, give a waterproof seal. In addition to this waterproof quality, closed cup rivets can also help to prevent smoke ingress from fire.

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, fire regulations are set to be tightened, making the smoke-preventing qualities of closed cup rivets ever more important. Though metal cladding and ducting may help to prevent fire, smoke ingress could dramatically undermine its performance, with standard rivets that allow smoke to leak through being an Achilles' heel.

Closed seal rivets are 100% watertight, including as they do a special extra seal which is made using a combination of Grade 316 (A4) stainless steel and duplex stainless 31803. To show how these rivets perform against a conventional rivet, we have created a video which can be found on the product page.

Much testing of our closed cup rivets was carried out before they were released for sale. These tests showed the rivets to be 100% waterproof, the first type of rivet to be so. The unique HNBR washer they incorporate fills the gap left by EPDM, neoprene and NBT, allowing the unit to function perfectly even at increased temperatures. Silicon-free and resistant to UV, oils, sour gas, dilute acids and abrasion, the rivets are widely used for cladding purposes and look set to become even more so due to their ability to block smoke ingress.

Find out more about closed cup rivets on our website and get in touch with our skilled technical team for further information and usage advice.