Certification and Registration
Flame retardancy
Category:
Flame Retardancy
The fire resistance requirements for building materials vary depending on their specific applications. For example, public facilities, high-rise buildings and other special environments generally require higher fire performance levels for construction materials. Therefore, understanding and controlling the fire performance of building materials is essential technical information for manufacturers, distributors and consumers. It provides effective guidance when selecting and using building materials. At the same time, different countries and regions have established mandatory fire testing standards for construction materials.
To strengthen the regulation of CE marking for construction products, the European Union officially implemented the Construction Products Regulation No. 305/2011/EU (CPR Regulation) on July 1, 2013, which fully replaced the previous Construction Products Directive 89/106/EEC (CPD Directive).Fire performance is one of the most critical performance characteristics in CE certification, and the corresponding testing requirements are covered by the EN 13501 series of fire classification standards.
The NFPA 101 Life Safety Code in the United States specifies the necessary construction, protection and occupancy requirements to minimize risks to life caused by fire, including smoke, heat and toxic gases generated during fire incidents. The referenced test methods include ASTM E84, ASTM E136, ASTM E119 and others, which establish corresponding fire performance requirements for different types of building occupancies.
In China, the use of building materials mainly follows the "Fire Protection Regulations of the People's Republic of China" issued and implemented in 1984. In practical applications, material performance requirements and application scopes shall also comply with relevant regulations, such as the Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings (GB 16-87), Code for Fire Protection Design of High-Rise Civil Buildings (GB 50045-95), and Code for Fire Protection Design of Interior Decoration of Buildings (GB 50222-95).To evaluate the fire performance of building materials, the former China State Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision established the standards "Classification for Burning Behavior of Building Materials and Products" (GB 8624-2006) and (GB 8624-2012). These standards provide clear classifications for the fire performance of building materials and specify the relevant test methods and technical parameters used to determine whether materials meet the required fire rating levels.
Building Material Fire Testing Product Scope:
Flooring, wall panels, ceilings, insulation materials, gypsum boards, artificial stone, cement fiber boards, wallpaper, wood-plastic composites (WPC), calcium silicate boards, acoustic materials, fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP), bamboo and wood products, architectural coatings, doors and windows, aluminum composite panels, honeycomb panels, architectural glass, decorative fabrics, color-coated steel sheets, building foaming materials, cementitious materials and adhesives, etc.
Fire Testing Items:
Fire rating, flammability, limited combustibility, non-combustibility, heat release during combustion, ignitability, oxygen index, toxicity index, smoke production, flaming droplets/particles, smoke density, etc.
Building Material Fire Resistance Testing Standards:
EN 13501-1:2007 FIRE CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS AND BUILDING ELEMENTS. CLASSIFICATION USING TEST DATA FROM REACTION TO FIRE TESTS
|
Class |
Test method(s) |
Classification criteria |
Additional classification |
|
A1 |
EN ISO 1182 a and EN ISO 1716 |
ΔT≤30℃;and Δm≤50%;and t i =0(i.e. no sustained flaming) PCS≤2.0 MJ/kg ᵃ and PCS≤2.0 MJ/kg bc and PCS ≤ 1.4 MJ/m² ᵈ and PCS≤2.0 MJ/kg ᵉ |
- |
|
A2 |
EN ISO 1182 ᵃ or EN ISO 1716 and EN 13823 |
ΔT≤50℃;and Δm≤50%;and t i ≤20s PCS≤3.0 MJ/kg ᵃ and PCS≤4.0 MJ/m² ᵇ and PCS≤4.0 MJ/m² ᵈ and PCS≤3.0 MJ/kg ᵉ FIGRA≤120W/sand LFS THR 600 s≤7.5 MJ |
Smoke production¹ and Flaming droplets/particles ⁹ |
|
B |
EN 13823 and EN ISO 11925-2¹: Exposure=30 s |
FIGRA≤120W/s and LFS THR 600 s≤7.5 MJ F s ≤150mm within 60s |
Smoke production¹ and Flaming droplets/particles ⁹ |
|
C |
EN 13823 and EN ISO 11925-2¹: Exposure=30 s |
FIGRA≤250W/s and LFS THR 600 s≤15MJ F s ≤150mm within 60s |
Smoke production¹ and Flaming droplets/particles ⁹ |
|
D |
EN 13823 and EN ISO 11925-2¹: Exposure=30s |
FIGRA≤750W/s and F s ≤150mm within 60s |
Smoke production¹ and Flaming droplets/particles ⁹ |
|
E |
EN ISO 11925-2¹ Exposure=15s |
F s ≤150mm within 20s |
Flaming droplets/particles ʰ |
|
F |
No performance determined |
||
Referenced Test Methods:
EN ISO 1182 Reaction to fire tests for products — Non-combustibility test (Similar to GB/T 5464)
EN ISO 9239-1 Reaction to fire tests for floorings — Part 1: Determination of the burning behaviour using a radiant heat source (Similar to GB/T 11785)
EN ISO 1716 Reaction to fire tests for products — Determination of the gross heat of combustion (calorific value) (Similar to GB/T 14402)
EN ISO 13823 Reaction to fire tests for building products — Building products excluding floorings exposed to the thermal attack by a single burning item (SBI) (Similar to GB/T 20284)
EN ISO 11925-2 Reaction to fire tests — Ignitability of building products subjected to direct impingement of flame — Part 2: Single-flame source test (Similar to GB/T 11785)
NF P 92-507:2004 Fire safety—Building—Interior fitting materials—Classification according to their reaction to fire
M0–M4 Classification Test Methods Include:
NF P 92-501, Fire safety — Building — Testing how materials react to fire — Radiation test applicable to materials that are or have been made rigid (materials with bonded claddings) of any thickness and to flexible materials more than 5 mm thick.
NF P 92-503, Fire safety — Building — Testing how materials react to fire — Electric burner test applicable to flexible materials.
NF P 92-504, Fire safety — Building — Testing how materials react to fire — Persistence test and test measuring flame propagation speed.
NF P 92-505, Fire safety — Building — Testing how materials react to fire — Test applicable to fusible materials: drip test.
NF P 92-506, Building — Testing how materials react to fire — Panel-heater test for floor coverings.
EN ISO 1716 Testing how building products react to fire — Determining combustion heat
|
Tests |
Classification criterion |
||||
|
Fusible materials test |
|
Wadding not ignited |
Wadding not ignited |
Wadding ignited |
Wadding ignited |
|
Electric-burner test ᵃ) |
No drops |
Drops not burning |
Burning drops or debris |
Drops not burning |
Burning drops or debris |
|
Flare-up≤5s |
M1 |
M1 |
M2 |
M4 |
M4 |
|
Flare-up>5s and average of destroyed lengths<350mm |
M2 |
M2 |
M3 |
M4 |
M4 |
|
Flare-up>5s and average of destroyed lengths<90mm between450mm—600mm |
M3 |
M3 |
M4 |
M4 |
M4 |
|
Flame propagation speed test(speed less than 2mm/s) |
|
|
M4 |
M4 |
M4 |
|
ᵃ)If the material exhibits special behaviour, refer to Table 3. For classification M0,see paragraph 3.3 |
|||||
|
Radiation test (c) |
Propagation speed |
Gross calorific value(Heat of combustion) |
|||
|
Classification criteria |
<2mm/s |
>2mm/s |
<2.5 MJ/kg |
>2.5 MJ/kg |
|
|
no actual ignition |
M0 |
|
|
M0ᵃ) |
M1 |
|
q<2.5ᵇ |
M1 |
|
|
|
|
|
q<15 |
M2 |
|
|
|
|
|
q<50 |
M3 |
|
|
|
|
|
q≥50 |
|
M4 |
NC |
|
|
|
ᵃ)For M0 classification of multi-layer materials and certain instances of painted inert materials, see paragraphs 3.3.2, 3.3.3 and 3.3.4 and Annex C. ᵇ)or the meaning of q, see paragraph 3.2.3.4. ᶜ)If the material exhibits special behaviour, refer to Table 3. |
|||||
|
Panel heater test |
Radiation test |
Classification |
|
|
Average of destroyed lengths(mm) |
Average of lengths destroyed during the first minute(mm) |
||
|
|
|
index q(see table 2) |
M1 or M2 following the radiation test |
|
≤300 |
|
|
M3 |
|
>300 |
≤100 |
|
M4 |
|
>300 |
>100 |
|
Not classified |
GB 8624-2006 Classification for burning behavior of building materials and products
GB/T 20285-2006 Toxic classification of fire effluents hazard for materials
BS 476-4:1970(AMD 1983) Fire tests in building materials and structures Part 4: Non-combustibility test for materials
BS 476-5:1979 Fire tests in building materials and structures Part 5: method of test for ignitability
DIN 4102 - Part 1, B1 (1998), Reaction to fire tests - Ignitability of building products subjected to direct impingement of flame.
ASTM E 84-15 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
GB 50222-2001 Code for fire prevention in design of interior decoration of buildings
GB 9978-1:2008 (ISO 834-1:1999 MOD)/Fire-resistance tests - Elements of building construction Part 1: general requirements
BS 476-20/22:1987 Fire tests on building materials and structures Method for determination of the fire resistance
ASTM D 2843:1999(2004)e1 Standard Test Method for Density of Smoke from the Burning or Decomposition of plastics
ISO 5660-1:2002 Reaction-to-fire tests - Heat release, smoke production and mass loss rate - Part 1: Heat release rate (cone calorimeter method)
ASTM E 648-2009a Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source1
ASTM D3675-2009 Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
ISO 5659-2:2006 Plastics—Smoke generation—Part 2: Determination of optical density by a single-chamber test
AS 1530.1-1994 Methods for fire tests on building materials components and structures Part 1: Combustibility test for materials
ASTM E119 - 12 Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
BS 6307:1982 Method for Determination of the effects of a small source of ignition on textile floor coverings (Methenamine table)
BS 4790:1987 Method for determination of the effects of a small source of ignition on textile floor coverings (hot metal nut method)
16 CFR 1630 (FF 1-70) Standard for the surface flammability of carpets and rugs (ASTM D 2859-04)
16 CFR 1631 (FF 1-70) Standard for the surface flammability of small carpets and rugs
ISO 6925:1982 Textile floor coverings - Burning behaviour-Tablet test at ambient temperature (Methenamine table)
GB/T 11049-2008 Burning behaviour of Carpet - Table test at ambient temperature
GB/T 14768-1993 Carpet burning
behaviour-Test method at 45 and assessment
SOR 91-264 Hazardous Products (Carpets) Regulations (Method F-04:2004 TEST METHOD FOR EVALUATING TEXTILE FLOOR COVERINGS FOR FLAME RESISTANCE)
CNS14705-A3386-2008 Method of test for heat release rate for building materials - cone calorimeter method
ANSI/UL 94-2013 Standard for Safety Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices
AS 1530.1: 1994 (R2016) Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures - Combustibility test for materials
AS 1530.4: 2014 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures - Fire-resistance test of elements of construction
AS ISO 9239-1: 2003 Reaction to fire tests for floorings — Part 1: Determination of the burning behavior using a radiant heat source
ASTM D 4986-18 Standard Test Method for Horizontal Burning Characteristics of Cellular Polymeric Materials
ASTM D3801-20 Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position
ASTM D4804-20 Standard Test Method for Determining the Flammability Characteristics of Nonrigid Solid Plastics
ASTM D5048-20 Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics and Resistance to Burn-Through of Solid Plastics Using a 125-mm Flame Use 125mm
ASTM D635-18 Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position
BS 476: Part 20: 1987 Fire tests on building materials and structures - Method for determination of the fire resistance of elements of construction (general principles)
BS 476: Part 22: 1987 Fire Tests on Building Materials and Structures - Part 22: Methods for Determination of the Fire Resistance of Non-Loadbearing Elements of Construction
BS 476: Part 4: 1970 Fire tests on building materials and structures - Part 4: Non-combustibility test for materials
BS 476-6 Fire tests on building materials and structures - Method of test for fire propagation for products
BS 476-7 Fire test on building materials and structures – Part 7: Method of test to determine the classification of the surface spread of flame of products
BS EN 1363-1: 2012 Fire resistance tests Part 1: General Requirements
BS EN 1364-1: 2015 Fire Resistance Tests for Non-Loadbearing Elements - Part 1: Walls
BS EN 14600: 2005 Door sets and openable windows with fire resisting and/or smoke control characteristics - Requirements and classification
BS EN 14600: 2005 Door sets and openable windows with fire resisting and/or smoke control characteristics - Requirements and classification
BS EN 16034-2014 Pedestrian door sets, industrial, commercial, garage doors and openable windows — Product standard, performance characteristics — Fire resisting and/or smoke control characteristics
BS EN 1634-1: 2014 + A1: 2018 Fire resistance tests for door and shutter assemblies - Fire doors and shutters
BS EN 1634-3: 2004 Fire resistance and smoke control tests for door and shutter assemblies, openable windows and elements of building hardware - Smoke control test for door and shutter assemblies
BS EN ISO 1182: 2010 Reaction to Fire Tests for Building Products - Non-Combustibility Test
BS EN ISO 11925-2: 2010 Reaction to Fire Tests - Ignitability of Building Products Subjected to Direct Impingement of Flame - Part 2: Single-Flame Source Test
BS EN ISO 1716: 2018 Reaction to fire tests for products. Determination of the gross heat of combustion (calorific value)
BS EN ISO 9239-1: 2010 Reaction to fire tests for floorings — Part 1: Determination of the burning behavior using a radiant heat source
DIN 53438 Part 2: June 1984 Testing of combustible materials; response to ignition by a small flame; edge ignition
DIN 53438 Part 3: June 1984 Testing of combustible materials; response to ignition by a small flame; surface ignition
EN ISO 1182: 2002 Reaction to Fire Tests for Building Products - Non-Combustibility Test
EN ISO 11925-2: 2002 Reaction to Fire Tests - Ignitability of Building Products Subjected to Direct Impingement of Flame - Part 2: Single-Flame Source Test
EN ISO 1716: 2002 Reaction to fire tests for products. Determination of the gross heat of combustion (calorific value)
EN ISO 9239-1: 2002 Reaction to fire tests for floorings — Part 1: Determination of the burning behavior using a radiant heat source Response of flooring to fire testing - The 1 Section: Determination of Combustion Behavior Using a Radiant Heat Source
GB/T 11785-2005 Reaction to fire tests for floorings. Determination of the burning behavior using a radiant heat source
GB/T 12513-2006 Fire-resistance tests - Elements of building construction - Glazed elements
GB/T 14402-2007 Reaction to fire tests for building materials and products. Determination of the heat of combustion
GB/T 2408-2008 Plastics. Determination of burning characteristics. Horizontal and vertical test
GB/T 5464-2010 Non-combustibility test method for building materials
GB/T 7633-2008 Fire resistance tests-Door and shutter assemblies
GB/T 8332-2008 Test method for flammability of cellular plastic. Horizontal burning method
GB/T 8626-2007 Test method of flammability for building materials
GB/T 9978.1-2008 Fire-resistance tests. Elements of building construction.Part1:General requirements
GB/T 9978.8-2008 Fire-resistance tests. Elements of building construction. Part 8: Specific requirements for non-loadbearing vertical separating elements
IEC 60695-11-10: 2013 Fire hazard testing. Part 11-10: Test flames.50 W horizontal and vertical flame test methods
IEC 60695-11-20: 2015 Fire hazard testing - Part 11-20: Test flames - 500 W flame test method
ISO 9772: 2012 Cellular plastics - Determination of horizontal burning characteristics of small specimens subjected to a small flame
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