Fire Rated Modular Buildings: Protecting Your People, Assets, and Facility

When safety is a top priority, a fire rated modular building offers unmatched protection for critical equipment, sensitive records, and essential operations. Designed to meet strict fire-resistance standards, these fire-rated portable buildings provide the performance of traditional construction with the speed, flexibility, and cost savings of modular design. Whether you need a secure server room, an exterior security booth, or a compliant mechanical enclosure, Panel Built delivers fully engineered fire-rated solutions built for demanding industrial and commercial environments.

This guide explains how fire-rated modular buildings work, what makes them different from standard modular structures, and how Panel Built designs systems that meet today’s toughest code and safety requirements.

Why Fire Rated Modular Buildings Matter

Fire-rated buildings add a crucial layer of protection for:

• IT infrastructure and server rooms
• Critical document storage
• High-value inventory
• Hazardous material containment
• Security operations
• Mechanical, electrical, and utility rooms

A fire-rated enclosure helps prevent flames from spreading, safeguards personnel, and preserves assets long enough for emergency response. For many industries, they are not just preferred, they are required for compliance.

Panel Built manufactures 1 Hour Fire Rated modular buildings and additional fire-resistant wall systems designed to meet ASTM, insurance, and code requirements. Every structure is engineered, fabricated, and finished in our controlled manufacturing facilities for consistency, quality, and performance.

A Look at Our History and Expertise

Founded in 1995 by brothers Pat and Mike Kiernan, Panel Built began with prefabricated buildings and quickly expanded into a full line of modular offices, mezzanines, exterior structures, guard booths, and safety systems. Today, we operate two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Blairsville, GA.

What Sets Us Apart

• 25+ years of modular engineering expertise
• Military-grade construction standards
• Dedicated sales, engineering, installation, and customer support teams
• Fully custom and scalable modular solutions
• Certified fire-rated panel systems tested to national standards

Panel Built’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction continues to drive every project we deliver.

A fire-rated modular building is only as strong as the panel system that protects it. Our fire-resistant sandwich panels are engineered using materials and configurations proven to slow flame spread, protect contents, and comply with building codes.

1-Hour Fire Rated Modular Panels

Our most popular fire-rated system features:

• 5/8” Fire-Shield gypsum board
• Mineral wool insulated core
• Galvanized steel studs
• 20-gauge steel channel framing

ASTM E119 Certified Protection

To earn a 60-minute fire endurance rating, our 1-hour modular panels were tested under ASTM E119-00a:

1. Panels exposed to continuous flame for one hour
2. Followed by high-pressure fire hose impact
3. Wall remained intact, meeting the strict requirements of the standard

This level of performance makes these buildings ideal for mission-critical environments such as data centers, military facilities, hazardous storage, and industrial processing areas.

Not all applications require full 1-hour fire resistance. Panel Built offers multiple wall systems to meet varying levels of protection.

Class A Fire Rated Panels

Class A panels include:

• Polystyrene core
• Vinyl-covered gypsum board
• Optional steel skins for added durability

Tested For:

• Flame spread
• Smoke development
• Fuel contribution

Class A panels are ideal when additional protection is needed but a full one-hour fire rating is not required.

Non-Combustible Panels

Our non-combustible panels are engineered using:

• Gypsum-faced mineral wool
• Adhesively laminated construction
• No steel skin required

These panels are frequently required by insurance companies, industrial safety officers, and code officials for high-risk areas.

Hybrid Fire-Resistant Panels

For projects where Class A is insufficient yet 1-hour fire rating is unnecessary, our hybrid panels offer a middle-ground solution. These wall systems can be customized to the exact requirements of your insurance provider, safety officer, or AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction).

Fire-rated modular buildings provide safe, secure environments for critical operations. Popular applications include:

• Server & Network Rooms – Protect IT equipment, reduce downtime risk, and meet insurance requirements.
• Document & Records Storage – Keep paper assets and sensitive files protected from fire damage.
• Security Stations & Guard Booths – Protect surveillance systems, communication equipment, and personnel.
• Hazardous Material Rooms – Meet compliance requirements for chemical storage or flammable materials.
• Mechanical & Utility Enclosures – Safeguard electrical panels, pumps, boilers, compressors, and generators.
• Business Continuity Planning – Portable fire-rated buildings create quick-setup emergency operations centers.

Why Choose a Panel Built Fire-Rated Modular Building?

Across industries, our modular systems provide advantages that traditional construction can’t match:

• Fast installation with minimal facility disruption
• Expandable and relocatable structures
• Code-compliant systems engineered for safety
• Custom sizing, layouts, and accessory options
• High long-term durability and low maintenance
• Manufactured under strict quality control
• Cost-effective compared to conventional fire-rated construction

When protecting your most critical assets, fire-rated modular construction offers both safety and flexibility.

A fire rated modular building is one of the smartest investments a company can make for safety, compliance, and asset protection. Engineered with fire-tested panels and built to strict national standards, Panel Built’s fire-rated modular systems deliver performance, mobility, and long-term reliability.

Ready to Protect What Matters Most?

Panel Built’s experts are here to help you design a fire-rated solution tailored to your facility’s requirements. Request a quote or Contact our team today and speak with a modular building specialist.

Protect your people, equipment, and operations with a trusted fire-rated modular system from Panel Built.