Description
The 9mm Ramco Fibre Cement Board A1 Non-Combustible 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′) is the mid-thickness option in Ramco’s Hicem range, supplied in the UK by Ramco Industries. It is made from Portland cement reinforced with cellulose fibres and mineral additives, pressed and autoclave-cured into a dense, dimensionally stable sheet. The surface is smooth, square-cut, and ready for paint, plaster, tile or render.
At 9mm, this is the workhorse thickness in the Hicem range. A full 8′ x 4′ sheet weighs around 39 kg, manageable by two people without a lifting kit, but heavy enough to feel solid under fixings. A density of at least 1,200 kg/m³ means screws and fasteners hold firmly without crumbling at the edges. Bending strength of 14 MPa longitudinal and 8 MPa transverse keeps the board flat between supports.
This is where the 9mm board earns its place. It carries a Euroclass A1 rating to EN 13501-1, the top reaction-to-fire classification, meaning it adds nothing to a fire. In a tested partition system, the board achieves up to 132 minutes of fire resistance, making it suitable for fire compartmentation, protected escape routes and high-rise refurbishment.
- Water, impact and acoustic performance
Hicem passes the full BS EN 12467 durability suite (warm water, freeze-thaw, soak-dry, heat-rain and water impermeability), so unlike plywood or OSB it won’t swell, rot, warp or delaminate when damp. It is termite resistant, borer resistant and free from fungal growth, asbestos-free (verified by X-ray diffraction), and emits no detectable VOCs under ISO 16000-6, making it a clean specification for schools, hospitals and care homes.
Impact strength of at least 2,100 J/m² means the board handles trolley knocks, door slams and corridor wear without denting. Acoustic insulation runs 32 to 34 dB for a single board and 48 to 52 dB in tested partition systems, useful in offices, hotels and HMOs where sound privacy matters. Thermal conductivity is 0.15 W/mK or lower, contributing modestly to wall and ceiling thermal performance.
Applications
- Internal wall linings and fire-rated partitions on timber or steel framing
- Loft and mezzanine flooring overlay
- Substrate for paint, plaster, tile or render
- Commercial and office fit-outs requiring A1 non-combustible boarding
- External applications with a weather-protective coating
