Fire testing and classification of coverings

Fire protection ability is an important characteristic of coverings which provide protection against damage to products which comprise building components during a fire.

Fire classification of fire protection ability
Fire classification of fire protection ability is undertaken according to current classification standards.

The European classification standard DS/EN 13501-2 - Classification using data from fire resistance tests, excluding ventilation services defines the following classes of fire protection ability: K1 10, K2 10, K2 30 and K2 60, where 10, 30 and 60 are classification times in minutes.

The Danish classification standard DS 1065-2 - Coverings - Class 1 and class 2 coverings contain detailed requirements for fire protection ability for at least 10 minutes.

Before the fire test
The following points should be clarified prior to the fire testing of coverings:

• Which fire classification is desired for the covering?
• How is the covering to be mounted, possibly with underlying cavities, joints or fixtures?
• Which substrate do you wish the covering to be tested on?Normally a 19 mm chipboard, with a density of 680 kg/m3, is used. Coverings with class designation K1 10, to be used on a substrate, with a density of less than 300 kg/m3, must be tested on the actual substrate.