FIRE SAFETY RESOURCES
Euroclass fire ratings are a European standard that classify building materials based on their fire performance, including ignitability, flame spread, and heat emission.
Mandatory in many European countries, this system replaces former national standards with a unified approach to fire safety, helping architects and builders make informed, consistent choices.
Within the UK BS EN 13501-1:2018 is the latest recognised standard.
The compliant classes in the classification system are A1 and A2-s1, d0. This can be broken down into 3 aspects:
+ Contribution to fire
+ Smoke Emission
+ Flaming Droplets & Particles
Contribution to fire
The first letter gives a classification based on the combustibility and contribution to fire: A1 and A2 is non-combustible, B through D range from very limited to medium contribution to fire, E and F are high contribution and/or easily flammable.
A1
Materials that cannot contribute to a fire at any stage, including a fully developed fire, can be awarded Class A1. This would never be combined with additional classification.
A2
If construction products produce no contribution to fire (but have the potential to produce some smoke or flaming droplets) this falls into Class A2. This is also followed by additional classification for smoke and droplets.
B
Highly resistant materials always followed by additional classification for smoke and burning droplets.
C
Products that meet more stringent requirements than Class D with limited contribution to fire.
D
Those with a contribution to fire, but greater resistance to flame.
E
Products that have a significant contribution to fire but resist a small flame for a short time.
F
If a product has not been tested or failed to meet class requirements A1 to E.
Smoke emission
This classification relates to smoke emissions during combustion. This is indicated by a rating of s1, s2, or s3, from highest to lowest performance. Smoke emission classifications are not provided for products with an E or F overall rating.
s1
Low emission rate and speed, with little or no smoke.
s2
Medium emission rate and speed, with some smoke.
s3
High emission rate and speed, with a lot of smoke.
Flaming droplets & particles
Burning droplets/particles can inflict skin burns and cause further spread of fire. Measuring for Reaction to Fire classes A2 to E, there are three classes of burning droplets: d0, d1 and d2, with d2 being the worst.
D0
No droplets.
D1
Limited generation of droplets.
D2
Not classified.
Product Testing
To correctly determine a products euro class fire rating materials are tested to BS EN 13501-1:2018 standards. This involves the following tests:
+ Non-combustibility test EN ISO 1182
+ Gross calorific potential test EN ISO 1716
+ Single Burning Item test EN 13823
+ Ignitability test EN ISO 11925-2
Data from the results of these tests is then combined to give the final Euroclass grade.
