Chiltern International Fire (CIF) has achieved UKAS accreditation for reaction to fire testing to a number of new European Standards.
Interior and exterior wood-based panels, plus timber cladding systems will be among materials expected to be tested.
Reaction to fire performance relates to how much a material contributes to fire growth, rather than its ability to provide a barrier to fire.
Tests are carried out either on specific materials or on multi-component systems such as wall panelling systems.
The test adapted within the new European Standards is a new mehtod which exposes products to direct flame. Firstly, products must pass a single flame ignitability test, BS EN ISO 11925-2:2002, before undergoing a single burning item test, BS EN 13823: 2002.
Fire and smoke growth rates are calculated, allowing products to be classified against BS EN 13501-2:2002: Fire Classification of Construction Products and Building Elements.
James Lavender, CIF’s senior reaction to fire engineer, said: “Products carrying test evidence based on national standards can only be sold in that nation’s market. European standards will, over the next few years, supersede national standards entirely and test evidence from a UKAS-accredited laboratory will be accepted throughout Europe.”
