BS EN 13501-1
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The British Standards Institution (BSI) is the UK National Standards Body (NSB). It publishes standards and provides a range of books, self-assessment tools, conferences and training services. It also represents UK economic and social interests in European and international standards organisations.
BS EN 13501-1 Fire classification of construction products and building elements, is the classification that enables certain products to be CE marked. It was originally published as BS EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 and was updated in 2018.
For more information on CE marking, see CE marking in the construction industry.
[edit] Fire protection ratings
Fire reaction achieved by elements of structure, doors and other forms of construction is classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-1, excluding power, control and communications (which are covered by BS EN 13501-6).
Specifically, the following products are covered under BS EN 13501-1 (within their end use):
According to BS EN 13501-2, fire resistance is a measure of one or more of the following:
- Resistance to collapse (loadbearing capacity), which applies to loadbearing elements only, denoted 'R' in the European classification of the resistance to fire performance.
- Resistance to fire penetration (integrity), denoted 'E' in the European classification of the resistance to fire performance.
- Resistance to the transfer of excessive heat (insulation), denoted 'I' in the European classification of the resistance to fire performance.
[edit] Measurement
Fire reaction tests performed (alone or in combination, depending on the product) in order to comply with BS EN 13501-1 are:
- BS EN ISO 1182 - Non-combustibility test.
- BS EN ISO 1716 - Heat of combustion test.
- BS EN 13823 Single - Burning item test.
- BS EN ISO 9239-1 - Radiant panel test (floorings only).
- BS EN ISO 11925-2 - Single-flame source test
Once materials are tested, they are given a three-part designation:
- Main classification (indicated by a letter from A to F with A1 being the highest classification and F being the lowest).
- Smoke classification (indicated by the alphanumeric combination s1, s2 or s3 with s1 the highest and s3 the lowest).
- Flaming droplet classification (indicated by the alphanumeric combination d0, d1 or d2 with d0 the highest and d2 the lowest).
The standard is available to download for a fee from the BSI website.
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Comments
This article confuses BS EN 13501-1, which is about reaction to fire, with BS EN 13501-2 which is about resistance to fire. The two are not the same and consider different aspects of fire behaviour.