Battery production has changed dramatically in recent decades. Batteries now have immense storage capacity, and not only that, the inside is a fire hazard. Spontaneous combustion and explosions are a real threat to human life. Currently, the first Giga Factory for battery cells is being built in the Norwegian city of Mo i Rana for battery cell supplier Freyr Battery Norways. The factory will comprise several buildings. The issues of safety and fire protection are paramount in the construction.
Fire protection with walls from Hebel
The requirements for fire protection are significant: for example, the walls must not only prevent possible fire, smoke and heat inside the factory, but also slow down the fire in case of an emergency. At the same time, the walls themselves must also withstand the impact of collapsing parts of the building.
The developer chose Hebel autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) as the solution. The building materials meet all requirements and are also easy to handle and install, reducing the risk of errors during the construction process. It does not burn, drip or develop gases, smoke or pollutants in the event of a fire. In addition, AAC walls insulate heat effectively, so that temperatures on the opposite side of the fire are much lower than those of other building materials.
Likewise, the material does not deform in high heat. Walls made of Hebel AAC also naturally resist fire.
Tens of thousands of square meters of fireproof walls
The Giga Factory will consist of several factory units, which will be built by general contractor Hent over several construction phases. Xella Norway will supply approximately 35,000 m2 of fire protection walls from the Hebel product brand for this purpose. These will be transported by ship from the Netherlands to Mo i Rana. "The delivery is already underway and we are very proud to be part of this battery adventure, says Thom-Erik Pape, General Manager of Xella Norway.