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Explaining Fire Classification

Fire Safety

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Kashif Khan
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7 views

Explaining Fire Classification

Fire Safety

Uploaded by

Kashif Khan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Fire Classification

The new European fire classification system is currently being introduced . This
guide deals with 3 subjects:

6 Building materials’ and building components’ reaction to fire


6 Building materials’ and building components’ fire resistance
6 Interrelation between the new European system and the existing Danish fire
classification system.

Building materials’ and building components’ reaction to fire


Primary classes
The classification comprises a primary class and in some cases also one or more
additional classes.

F Products for which no reaction to fire performances are determined or which cannot be
classified in one of the classes A1, A2 , B , C , D , E . This means that the product is
not documented and does not live up to any classification demands. Consequently it is
not possible to combine it with any additional class.

E Products capable of resisting, for a short period, a small flame attack without
substantial flame spread. The class may exist on its own or may be combined with
additional class for burning droplets d2
Click her to see some
D Products satisfying criteria for class E and capable of resisting a small flame attack - for
examples of materials
a longer period - without substantial flame spread. In addition, they are also capable of in the different classes
undergoing thermal attack by a single burning item with sufficiently delayed and limited mentioned
heat release The class is always combined with an additional class for smoke (s) and
burning droplets (d)

C As class D but satisfying more stringent requirements. Building materials which, to a


limited extend, contribute to fire. The class is always combined with an additional class
for smoke (s) and burning droplets (d)

B As class C but satisfying more stringent requirements. Building materials having a very
moderate fire contribution. The class is always combined with an additional class for
smoke (s) and burning droplets (d)

A2 Satisfying the same criteria as class B for the SBI-test according to EN 13823. In
addition, under conditions of a fully developed fire these products will not significantly
contribute to the fire load and fire growth. The class is always combined with an
additional class for smoke (s) and burning droplets (d)

A1 Class A1 products will not contribute in any stage of the fire including the fully
developed fire. For that reason they are assumed to be capable of satisfying
automatically all requirements of all lower classes. Cannot be combined with additional
classes
Additional classes
Additional classes for smoke and burning droplets are:

s1 very limited amount of smoke developed

s2 limited amount of smoke developed

s3 no demands to the amount of smoke developed

d0 no burning droplets or particles

d1 limited amount of burning droplets or particles

d2 no demand to the amount of burning droplets or particles

Building materials’ and building components’ fire resistance

Capacity criteria:
The fire resistance of a building material and a building component can be
described on the basis of the following capacity criteria:

R – for load Is relevant for load bearing building components: The requirements are
bearing capacity related to deformation and deformation speed.

E – for integrity Is relevant for separating building components. Three aspects are
evaluated:

1. Cracks and crevices exceeding certain dimensions.


2. The ignition of a piece of cotton fabric on the unexposed side.
3. Continuous flaming for more than 10 seconds on the unexposed side.

I – for insulation Is relevant for separating building components. As a general rule the
temperature increase on the unexposed side must not exceed:
- 140 °C at average
- 180 °C average at any point.
Classification of building components
The registered time span for maintaining capacity criteria at a standardised fire test
is indicated in minutes, for example 30, 60, 90, 120. The clssification is described
below:

Load bearing building components

the time span where all three criteria, load bearing capacity, integrity and
REI - time
insulation are fulfilled

the time span where the two criteria, load bearing capacity and integrity, are
RE - time
fulfilled

R - time the time span where the criteria load bearing capacity is fulfilled.

Non load bearing building components

EI - time time span where the two criteria, integrity and insulation, are fulfilled

E - time the time span where the criteria integrity is fulfilled

Interrelationship between European and existing Danish fire


classification.

Existing Danish classification European class

Materials

Non combustible A2 - s1, d0

Class A B - s1, d0

Class B D - s2, d2

Coverings

Class 1 K B - s1, d0

Class 2 K D - s2, d0

Load bearing, non separating building components

BS - 30 R 30 A2 - s1. d0

BS - 60 R 60 A2 - s1, d0

BS - 120 R 120 A2 - s1, d0

BD - 30 R 30

BD - 60 R 60

Load bearing, separating building components

BS - 30 REI 30 A2 - s1, d0

BS - 60 REI 60 A2 - s1, d0

BS - 120 REI 120 A2 - s1, d0


BD - 30 REI 30

BD - 60 REI 60

Non load bearing, separating building components

BS - 30 EI 30 A2 - s1, d0

BS - 60 EI 60 A2 - s1, d0

BS - 120 EI 120 A2 - s1, d0

BD - 30 EI 30

BD - 60 EI 60

F - 30 E 30

F - 60 E 60

Fire classification is indicated as for example:” Building component class R 60 A2 - s1, d0"
= BS – building component 60.

This page was first written on25.08.04. Last revision was on 22.11. 06

Translated from: http://www.fiboment.dk/page1069.asp


Translation and adaptation by Karsten Lundager
Some Common materials and likely Euro classes

Example Materials Euroclass What is


Flashover Potential flashover?
Click here to find
Concrete A1 out
Brick Stone No
Rockwool
Plasterboard A2
Cement particle board No
Glass Wool
Rock Wool

Painted gypsum board B


Some fire resistant MDF No
Some Birch plywood
Fully impregnated WOOD
Wood wool cement slabs
Fibre gypsum board
Most fire resistant MDF C
Some European Plywoods Yes
Phenolic foam (foil faced)

Expanded polystyrene type A D


Polyisocyanurate foam (foil faced) Yes
Extruded polystyrene

Polyurethane Foam (laminate faced) E


Polyisocyanurate foam (sprayed) Yes
Wood fibre board (vacuum pressed)

Expanded polystyrene type N F


Untested or fails Euro class E Yes

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