Ryoko Plastic Co., Ltd. (Head office: Yoro-gun, Gifu Prefecture; President Tsunehisa Yamada), a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President Takumi Ubagai), starts the sale of “RKP Hanging Smoke Barrier Panel” on June 21, 2013. The new product is composed of a glass cloth laminated PVC sheet, which has obtained fireproof certification, and an aluminum frame.
 

 A hanging smoke barrier is a section of wall that hangs at least 50cm from the ceiling to halt the passage of smoke and high-temperature toxic gas in case of fire, thus facilitating the safe and speedy evacuation of individuals. The installation of smoke barriers is required by the Building Standards Act and the Fire Service Act for large-sized buildings such as commercial facilities (supermarkets, hotels, etc.), public facilities (libraries, hospitals, etc.) and factory offices.
 

 Since hanging smoke barriers are required to be non-combustible, a glass sheet is often used as material for them. However, when the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred in 2011, these glass-sheet barriers had fallen from the ceiling that affected many people and properties. Taking it as a lesson, many facilities that need to install smoke barriers are shifting from glass barriers to plastic ones.
 Under such circumstances, Mitsubishi Plastics has developed “RKP Hanging Smoke Barrier Panel” using its technologies of manufacturing plastic sheets with excellent fireproof properties, which have been developed through experience as a manufacturer and distributor of plastic sheets for in-plant partition, seepage control for civil engineering work, waterproofing roofs, etc. Since the barrier is made from plastic materials, it is stronger and more shutter resistant than glass one, which minimizes damage when falling from the ceiling in case of earthquakes. A plastic barrier (standard size: 500mm x 1500 mm) is also lighter than the glass equivalent, weighing around 1.8 kg, one-eighth of the weight of the latter. This makes it easy for one person to install the barrier, thus improving operation efficiency and reducing installation time and labor costs. In addition, the plastic sheet has antistatic properties to prevent dust attraction. The surface is kept smooth and wrinkle-free by using the Company’s unique sheet processing and assembly technologies that ensure an equal tension on all four sides of a panel when assembling the barrier. The barrier comes with finishing options of transparent, translucent and white color, and customers can choose color depending on the installation site.
 

 Growing demand is expected for the plastic-based hanging smoke barrier, as it can reduce possible damage in case of serious earthquakes. Mitsubishi Plastics will strive to promote the sale of “RKP Hanging Smoke Barrier Panel” that is light weight and safe with excellent fireproof properties, thus contributing to the creation of a safe and secured society.

 

Bildings required to install smoke barriers
1. Special buildings with a gross floor area of more than 500 square meters: supermarkets, hardware stores, restaurants, exhibition halls, public bathhouses, art museums, libraries, hospitals, hotels, cinemas, child welfare facilities, etc.
2. Buildings with three floors or more and a gross floor area of more than 500 square meters
3. A room with the total opening area for smoke ventilation is less than two percent of the floor area of the room
4. A room with a floor area of more than 200 square meters within a building with a gross floor area of more than 1,000 square meters

 

Product photo                                      　　　　Installation example                               

       

 

Ryoko Plastic outline 

Established:December26,1974

Head office:640-1 Naoe, Yoro-cho, Yoro-gun, Gifu Prefecture

Capital:3,000 million yen

Major shareholders:Mitsubishi Plastics, inc., Daiko Sangyo Co.,Ltd.

Number of employees:70

 

The product is designed to offer domestic customers in principle: there will be a need for various procedures for confirmation in the case of export.

 

For further information please contact:
Public Relations and Investor Relations office,
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation.
TEL: +81-3-6748-7140