When a school in Riyadh needed to expand its science wing before the new semester started, the timeline seemed impossible. The construction team had just 10 days to finish the interior walls, and with over 800 square meters of wall space to cover, everyone was worried. That's when the project manager called in a one-stop architectural solution provider specializing in high-performance building materials. What happened next? A masterclass in efficiency, thanks to class A fireproof CPL inorganic boards.
Let's walk through how this project went from "we'll never make it" to "completed ahead of schedule." No fancy jargon, just real challenges and practical solutions—because that's how construction actually works.
Greenwood International School wasn't just any project. The new science wing would host chemistry labs, biology classrooms, and a student research center—spaces that needed to be safe, durable, and ready for 300+ students by September 1st. The original plan? Using traditional gypsum boards with multiple layers of fire-retardant paint. But when the school's safety inspector pointed out that gypsum alone wouldn't meet Saudi Arabia's strict class A fire safety standards for educational facilities, the team hit a wall.
"We had two options: either delay the semester start or find a material that could check all the boxes faster," explains Ahmed, the site foreman. "Gypsum would take at least 14 days with the fireproofing steps, and even then, we'd be cutting it close. The school board was already getting calls from parents asking if the wing would be ready. Pressure? That's an understatement."
Quick Facts About the Project:
- Total wall area: 820 m²
- Deadline: 10 days (from material delivery to final inspection)
- Requirements: Class A fireproof rating, zero VOC emissions, moisture resistance (for labs), and easy cleaning (hello, spilled chemicals and student experiments!)
- Team size: 8 installers, 2 project managers, 1 safety inspector
The one-stop provider didn't just drop off materials—they brought a solution. Class A fireproof CPL inorganic boards aren't your average wall panels. Made from a blend of inorganic minerals and reinforced with a melamine resin coating, they're designed for spaces where safety and speed matter most: hospitals, schools, airports, you name it. Here's why they were perfect for Greenwood:
1. Fire Safety That Speaks for Itself: Unlike gypsum, which needs extra layers to hit class A, these boards are inherently fireproof. They can withstand temperatures up to 1,200°C for over 2 hours without releasing toxic fumes—critical for a school with kids running around. The safety inspector signed off on them in 10 minutes flat.
2. Lightweight but Tough: Each panel weighs just 8kg/m², so installers could carry 2-3 at a time without heavy machinery. But don't let the weight fool you—they're scratch-resistant, moisture-proof, and even resistant to chemicals (goodbye, lab spills!).
3. Install in a Snap: Traditional drywall requires taping, mudding, sanding, and painting—each step adding hours. CPL boards? They come pre-finished with a smooth, wipeable surface. No painting, no sanding, just cut to size, screw into place, and seal the edges. It's like building with giant Lego blocks, but for adults.
Curious how 8 people installed 820 m² of walls in 10 days? Let's break it down. Spoiler: It involved a lot of coffee, but mostly, it was about smart planning and a material that played nice with tight timelines.
Day | Task | Progress | Challenges & Wins |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Material Delivery & Site Prep | Boards, tools, and safety gear unloaded; walls measured and marked | Challenge: Heavy rain delayed delivery by 2 hours. Win: The supplier sent an extra truck, so we still finished prep by 5 PM. |
2-3 | First Floor Installation (Labs) | 240 m² installed; labs prioritized for gas line rough-ins | Win: CPL boards cut with standard power tools—no special equipment needed. One installer said, "It's like cutting plywood, but cleaner." |
4-5 | Second Floor (Classrooms) | 310 m² installed; window frames and electrical outlets fitted | Challenge: Uneven wall studs in the old building. Win: CPL boards' flexibility allowed minor adjustments without cracking. |
6-7 | Third Floor (Research Center) | 180 m² installed; corner trims and edge sealing | Win: Pre-finished surface meant no waiting for paint to dry. The research center walls were ready for shelving by Day 7! |
8 | Final Touches | Sealing gaps, cleaning surfaces, touch-ups | Challenge: A small scratch on a biology lab wall. Win: The supplier provided touch-up kits—fixed in 15 minutes. |
9 | Safety Inspection | Passed class A fire test, moisture resistance check, and structural stability review | Big Win: Inspector said, "I haven't seen a wall system this robust in a school before. This could set a new standard." |
10 | Handover to School | Keys handed over; teachers toured the space with smiles | Bonus: Finished 4 hours early! The principal brought us all falafel to celebrate. |
By Day 9, when the safety inspector walked through, even he was impressed. "In 20 years, I've never seen a wall system installed this fast without cutting corners," he noted. "The CPL boards don't just meet the fire code—they exceed it. And that smooth surface? Perfect for schools—no more permanent marker graffiti headaches."
Greenwood's story isn't a fluke. It's proof that the right material can turn impossible timelines into achievable goals. Here's why class A fireproof CPL inorganic boards might be the solution you didn't know you needed:
For Schools & Hospitals: Safety first, always. Class A fire ratings aren't optional—they're life-saving. Add in zero VOCs (no harmful fumes for kids or patients) and easy cleaning (germs hate smooth, non-porous surfaces), and you've got a material built for sensitive spaces.
For Tight Deadlines: Time is money, especially in construction. CPL boards cut installation time by 40-50% compared to traditional materials. No more paying crews overtime or losing clients because you can't deliver on schedule.
For Budget-Minded Teams: Pre-finished surfaces mean no extra costs for paint or sealants. Durability means fewer repairs down the line. One school administrator calculated that they saved 15% on long-term maintenance costs just by choosing CPL over gypsum.
"We thought 10 days was crazy. Now? We're using CPL boards for our new auditorium renovation next month. Why? Because when a material works this well, you don't second-guess it." — Principal Amina Al-Mansoori, Greenwood International School
At the end of the day, Greenwood's success wasn't just about the CPL boards. It was about partnering with a provider who understood the big picture: safety, speed, and real-world construction chaos. They didn't just drop off a truckload of materials—they sent a team to train the installers, provided on-site support when the rain delayed delivery, and even helped troubleshoot tricky corners around lab equipment.
So, what's next for the school? They're already planning to retrofit their old gym walls with CPL boards during winter break. And the one-stop architectural solution provider? They've been getting calls from hospitals and universities across Saudi Arabia asking, "Can you do that for us too?"
If there's one thing we learned from this project, it's this: Impossible timelines exist—until you find the right material to beat them. And in a world where construction delays are the norm, class A fireproof CPL inorganic boards are changing the game, one high-efficiency installation at a time.
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