High and Ultra High Density SFRM ( Z-146, Z-146PC, Z-146T, Z-156, Z-156PC, Z-156T )

Declaration details

Manufacturer

GCP/Saint-Gobain

Program operator

Smart EPD

Declaration number

SmartEPD-2026-153-1032-01

Date of issue

August 18, 2026

Valid until

August 18, 2031

Product category rules (PCR)

Smart EPD® Part B PCR for Spray-Applied Fire-Resistive Materials, 1000-003, v4.0 (version 4.0)

Standard

ISO 14025:2006 and ISO 21930:2017

Declared unit

1 metric ton of product

System boundary

Cradle to gate with other options (A1 – A3, specify other options)

Product specificity

Product Average

Manufacturing specificity

Manufacturer Average

Manufacturing plants

Santa Ana (2500 South Garnsey Street, Santa Ana, CA, USA); Ajax (294 Clements Rd W, Ajax, ON, Canada)

Product category

Finishes

Verifier

Alison Lee, Independent Contractor

LCA software

Sphera LCA for Experts (formerly GaBi) 10.9

Program instructions

Smart EPD General Program Instructions v.2.0, March 2025

Life cycle assessment results

Results per 1 metric ton of product.

Environmental Impact Assessment Results

Resource Use Indicators

Waste and Output Flow Indicators

Carbon Emissions and Removals

ND = not declared. Life cycle modules: A1-A3 product stage, A4-A5 construction process, B use stage, C end of life, D benefits and loads beyond the system boundary.

Material composition

Hazardous substances

No substances required to be reported as hazardous are associated with the production of this product

Product description

Spray-Applied Fire-Resistive Materials (SFRM) (UN CPC 54650) are composed primarily of binding agents such as cement or gypsum and may incorporate supplementary materials including quartz, bauxite, and other additives. These additional components are used to reduce density and enhance insulating properties by introducing entrained air. Chemical hardeners may also be included to accelerate curing or to improve the mechanical strength of the final product.

Passive fire protection materials (commonly referred to as fireproofing) are designed to prevent or delay the structural failure of steel and concrete elements when exposed to fire. These materials function by insulating structural members, thereby slowing heat transfer and preserving structural integrity for a defined period. A variety of fireproofing materials are available depending on the application requirements. Applied fireproofing systems are typically available in both wet-mix and dry-mix formulations and are most commonly spray-applied, although trowel application is also used in certain cases.

SFRM products are generally supplied as dry powder in bags and mixed with water at the point of application. Modern formulations are asbestos-free and do not contain intentionally added free crystalline silica, aligning with current health and safety standards. This Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) specifically covers standard-density SFRM products.

This report serves as the basis for a company-specific EPD representing a range of SFRM products manufactured at three GCP Applied Technologies facilities in North America, produced in accordance with varying product specifications.

Interpretation

The cradle-to-gate production (A1–A3) of High and Ultra high density Spray Applied Fire-Resistive Materials (SFRM) requires approximately 5.2 GJ of total primary energy (LHV) and results in about 554 kg CO₂e per metric ton of product (GWP, excluding biogenic carbon, IPCC AR6). The higher environmental impacts relative to lower-density SFRM products are primarily associated with increased raw material intensity and transportation requirements.

Across the life cycle stages, Module A1 (raw material extraction and upstream processing) is the dominant contributor, accounting for approximately 73% of total GWP (~406 kg CO₂e). This confirms that the environmental profile of ultra-high-density SFRM is largely driven by the production and processing of constituent raw materials and additives.

Module A2 (transportation) contributes a significant share of approximately 25% of total GWP (~139 kg CO₂e), which is substantially higher than observed for lower-density SFRM products. This indicates that transportation logistics, haul distances, and material sourcing play a major role in the overall environmental burden of this formulation. Transportation also contributes strongly to impact categories such as photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), acidification potential (AP), and fossil energy demand.

Module A3 (manufacturing) contributes a relatively small portion of the total impacts at approximately 1-2% (~8.9 kg CO₂e), associated with on-site electricity consumption, process energy use, and operational activities within the manufacturing facility. In some impact categories, the manufacturing contribution is comparatively negligible relative to upstream and transportation impacts.

The resource use profile demonstrates that non-renewable primary energy resources dominate the total energy demand, with fossil energy demand exceeding 5.1 GJ per metric ton of product. Renewable primary energy use contributes approximately 724 MJ, while freshwater consumption remains relatively modest at approximately 0.81 m³ per metric ton of product.