In the EU, the fire testing and classification standards for construction products have been harmonised in European Standard EN 13501-1. The European Reaction to Fire classification system (Euro classes) is the EU common standard for assessing the qualities of building materials in the event of a fire. Euro classes arise from classification systems for ‘reaction to fire’ performance of construction products.
| Main Class | Subclass Smoke visibility | Subclass Burning droplets |
| Non-combustible materials: No contribution to fire at any stage of the fire | ||
| A1 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Non-combustible materials: No significant contribution to fire at any stage of the fire | ||
| A2 | s1, s2 or s3 | d0, d1 or d2 |
| Combustible materials: very limited contribution to fire: Very limited heat release and flame spread during the growth stage of a fire | ||
| B | s1, s2 or s3 | d0, d1 or d2 |
| Combustible materials: limited contribution to a fire: Limited heat release and flame spread during the growth stage of a fire. | ||
| C | s1, s2 or s3 | d0, d1 or d2 |
| Combustible materials: medium contribution to a fire: Will resist a small flame attack for longer at the beginning of the fire and will exhibit sufficiently delayed and limited heat release during the growth stage of the fire. | ||
| D | s1, s2 or s3 | d0, d1 or d2 |
| Combustible materials: highly contribution to a fire: Will resist only a small flame attack in the beginning of the fire | ||
| E | Not applicable | d2 |
| Combustible materials: easily flammable: Unacceptable fire behaviour | ||
| F | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Whilst fire testing and classification methods for individual products are harmonised in the EU, building regulations for an overall structure- including fire safety requirements – are the responsibility of each individual EU Member State. Hence, Member States determine their own fire safety level and use a mix of products that – used together – correspond to that level.
Depending on the building type and height, the requirements for the products used will vary. Because of the challenge of evacuation patients, a hospital will often have the strictest requirements. The taller the building, the more complicated it is to escape. High-rise buildings are therefore subject to stricter fire requirements than low-rise buildings or family homes.
Most European countries have requirements in their regulation or guidelines for the use of non-combustible materials (A1 or A2-s1, d0) for high rise and high risk buildings. Sometimes there are alternative routes via large scale testing to show compliance, nevertheless in almost all cases the application of non-combustible materials make that these expensive tests can be avoided and makes the engineering of the facade easier and less sensitive to risks (designing out the risk).
Are you an architect or contractor and would you like to get an in-depth presentation about fire safety in relation to facade cladding? We’d be happy to come to your office for a free, informative Lunch & Learn CPD session about this topic.
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Rockpanel board material is not only fire safe but also holds many more unique properties for your project.
We manufacture board material mostly used in ventilated constructions, for facade cladding, roof detailing, soffits and fascias.
