If you are involved with the construction of high-rise residential buildings; you will already know that regulations were laid down on 29 November 2018, amending the Building Regulations to give legal effect to a ban on using combustible materials. The regulation requires that materials (in new building work or material alterations) which become part of an external wall must achieve Euroclass A2-s1, d0 or A1 (classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009). Even if the building is below 18m, using a Euroclass A1 classified product or system is also the best way to meet the functional requirements of building regulations by adequately resisting spread of fire.
HOW IS COMPLIANCE WITH EN 13501-1 THOROUGHLY ASSESSED AND PROVEN?
In order to obtain the EN 13501-1 classification, the product or system needs to have been tested by a third-party certified laboratory to EN 13823 which is known as a Single Burning Item (SBI) test. The results of this test confirm the Fire Growth Index Rate (FIGRA), Lateral Flame Spread (LFS) and Total Heat Release (THR600s). Additional classification parameters are defined for Smoke Growth Rate Index (SMOGRA), Total Smoke Production (TSP600s) and for flaming droplets/particles.
Further to the SBI test to classify a product as being of non/limited combustibility (A1/A2 rating) each individual component or layer must also be tested to either EN 1716 or EN 1182. EN 1182 confirms that products are non-combustible by a specimen being ground and burnt. EN 1716 determines the potential maximum total heat release of a product when burned completely by calculating the Gross Calorific Potential (PCS) in either MJ/kg or MJ/m2.
WHY IS EN 13501-1 CLASSIFICATION CONSIDERED BY MOST TO BE THE MOST ROBUST METHOD OF PROVING FIRE SAFETY COMPLIANCE?
Providing results fit for real life applications
An SBI test (Single Burning Item) simulates the start of a fire to assess the fire behaviour of building products. The classification is based on a certain end-use situation and field of application. During the design and realisation of a building, a lot of changes to rainscreen cladding detailing can occur. In such cases, fire safety is only assured when it is part of the Field of Application of a classification – it’s important to check these details carefully, they will be included on the manufacturer’s test report.
Complete clarity on the field of application for Ash & Lacy’s EN13501-1 classified products
Our EN 13501-1 classifications are valid for ventilated façades with an overall system thickness of up to 400mm, with a ventilated cavity ranging from 25mm up to a maximum of 100mm, placed on an A1 rated structure, and secured using our AxiAL aluminium or stainless steel subframe support system and fixings. In ventilated constructions, the subframe should be backed with mineral wool insulation up to a maximum thickness of 340mm, with a density of 19-220 kg/m³ according to EN 13162.
Our results:
Ash & Lacy’s Aluminium, ACM and Brick Façade systems, as well as AxiAL AX and AXR rainscreen support systems have been independently tested and classified by Warringtonfire. None of our products or systems achieved lower than an A2-s1, d0 classification to EN 13501-1, with many achieving an A1 classification to EN 13501-1. See the summary below:
To request copies of Ash & Lacy’s classification documentation please e-mail us at certifications@ashandlacy.com
