70% of Fire Deaths Caused by Smoke Poisoning

Hilti Passive Fire Protection Products Provide Flame, Gas and Smoke Containment for Up to 4 Hours

Advancing technology and rapidly growing populations are increasing fire risks. Virtually all structures, especially shopping malls, hospitals, hotels, high-rise buildings and metros, carry fire risk at all times. Over the past 10 years in our country, nearly 1 million fires of varying scales have occurred, resulting in approximately 4,000 deaths and losses exceeding TRY 2 billion. These figures alone demonstrate how severe the consequences of fire can be. The primary cause of life loss in fires is smoke and toxic gases. Smoke poisoning accounts for approximately 70 percent of deaths. Sixty percent of fatalities occur not in the location where the fire started, but in other areas. At this point, the use of fire safety products and awareness are critical. Hilti, an innovative brand in the construction industry, works with relevant institutions on the "Regulation on Fire Safety of Buildings" to support the creation of fire awareness in Turkey and the reduction of risks. With more than 30 years of international experience in passive fire protection products that prevent the spread of flames, smoke and toxic gases and the rise of temperature for up to 4 hours during fires, and with expert technical personnel in the field, Hilti is a leading brand that has won numerous awards with these innovative products. Highlighting the need for careful evaluation of possible fire risk factors and implementation of preventive measures, Mehmetçik Kalay, General Manager of Hilti Turkey and Central Asia, made statements during Fire Prevention Week: "We continue to work with relevant institutions on the 'Regulation on Fire Safety of Buildings,' which aims to minimize fire-related casualties and property losses in Turkey and was updated in 2009. As Hilti Turkey, we have provided all kinds of support for the creation of fire awareness in our country and are always ready to continue doing so."

Hilti Products Buy Time for Fire Escape and Enable Emergency Response

Pointing out that approximately 70 percent of fire deaths result from smoke poisoning and 60 percent occur in locations other than where the fire started, Mehmetçik Kalay noted that Hilti Passive Fire Protection Products confine fire to a specific area, preventing its spread and growth, while also providing flame, smoke and toxic gas containment. Kalay emphasized that this provides time for people to escape and allows emergency response to the fire.

65 Percent of Fires Originate from Electrical and Mechanical Systems

Recalling that according to data from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), 65 percent of fires originate from electrical and mechanical systems, Kalay stated that Hilti Passive Fire Protection Products are predominantly used in insulating electrical and mechanical penetrations in buildings. Kalay noted that these products are also used in areas with fire spread risk such as wall-ceiling joints, expansion joints and facade-floor connections.

Hilti Fire Insulation Products Win Awards

With the brand promise "Hilti Superior Performance. Hilti Superior Durability," Kalay stated that Hilti has 31 fire protection products in 8 different classes for different building sections and penetrations, saying: "In addition to their quality, Hilti fire insulation products stand out with ease of application and have received major awards in the field since 2010. The latest of these awards went to Hilti Fire Protection Flexible Brick product. Ready-to-use, expanding on fire to provide fire, smoke and heat resistance for up to 4 hours and a patented innovation from Hilti, Flexible Brick received the Best Fire Insulation Product 2013 Award at the 11th edition of the Insulation Sector Excellence Awards held this year. Additionally, Hilti won the Best Roof and Facade Materials Award in 2012 with Fire Protection Sealant Spray, and the Best Insulation Award in 2011 with Fire Protection Sleeve."

Hilti Invested Approximately TRY 440 Million in R&D in 2013

Stating that Hilti invested CHF 189 million (approximately TRY 440 million) in R&D in 2013 and plans to increase this investment by 5 percent annually, Kalay said: "We continuously develop new technologies to protect user health and safety. Hilti launches an average of 30 products each year and derives 30 percent of sales from new products. Founded as a small family company in 1941 in the Principality of Liechtenstein with 35,000 residents, Hilti has become a global brand with 21,000 employees today, and innovation lies at the foundation of this success."

For Every Area of the Building, There is a Hilti Product That Says "STOP" to Fire

Hilti's fire protection products meet every area and need of the building. Sealants, sprays, foams, clamps, wrappings, bandages, paints, pads, mortars, putties and cable protection paint are among Hilti's other products that say "STOP" to fire.