BROOF, DROOF, CROOF and FROOF
BROOF, DROOF, CROOF and FROOF refer to different fire rating classifications for roofs according to the European classification system BS EN 13501-5 from the highest to the lowest rating since the national classification system BS 476-3:2004 no longer applied after 2019 and the new Approved Regulations Part B.
BROOF(t4): Refers to the highest rating and indicates the roof system prevents fire penetration for at least 60 minutes and restricts flame spread. It inticates superior resistance to external fire spread, penetration, and burning droplets and is essential for compliance in UK building regulations, often required for flat roofs, terraces, and high-rise developments.
- No penetration of roof system within 60 minutes
- In preliminary test, after withdrawal of the test flame, specimens burn for less than 5 minutes
- In preliminary test, flame spread less than 0.38 m across region of burning
CROOF(t4): The intermediate rating which indicates no fire penetration within 30 minutes, with limited flame spread.
- No penetration of roof system within 30 minutes
- In preliminary test, after withdrawal of the test flame, specimens burn for less than 5 minutes
- In preliminary test, flame spread less than 0.38 m across region of burning
DROOF(t4): The lower rating indicates the system is penetrated within 30 minutes in certain tests, but not in others.
- Roof system is penetrated within 30 minutes but is not penetrated in the preliminary test
- In preliminary test, after withdrawal of the test flame, specimens burn for less than 5 minutes
- In preliminary test, flame spread less than 0.38 m across region of burning
EROOF (t4)
- Roof system is penetrated within 30 minutes but is not penetrated in the preliminary test
- Flame spread is not controlled
FROOF(t4): The lowest rating.
- No performance determined
The Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, that followed the Grenfell fire, chaired by Judith Hackitt, reviewed the Building Regulations 2010, and concluded that a more robust regulatory system was neede. As a result the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018 were issued. The most significant change being the complete ban of combustible materials in external walls and the Approved Document B (ADB) on fire safety, which affected roofing. This is where national classification system BS 476-3:2004, no longer applies but replaced by the European classification system BS EN 13501-5 and the five European class ratings: BROOF(t4), CROOF(t4), DROOF(t4), EROOF(t4) and FROOF(t4).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Blue roof.
- Cold roof.
- Designing out fire risk in roof voids.
- Existing guidance on fire compartmentation in roof voids.
- Flat roof.
- Green roof.
- Metal roofing.
- Pitched roof.
- Shingle roofing.
- Slate roofing.
- Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread.
- Tile roofing.
- Thatch roofing.
- Types of roof.
- Warm roof.
Featured articles and news
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.

























