{"id":3746,"date":"2023-07-05T12:54:26","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T11:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.codethisfor.me\/redwood\/?p=3746"},"modified":"2023-12-06T12:13:23","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T12:13:23","slug":"understanding-fire-certificates-the-essential-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.codethisfor.me\/redwood\/2023\/07\/understanding-fire-certificates-the-essential-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding fire certificates: The essential guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

It often comes to our attention that most companies are very reticent to share and explain fire certificates with their customers. However at Redwood, we are always completely honest about what our fire certificates show, so you can choose an appropriate wood coating for your project.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To continue with our open and honest approach, this blog will provide the ultimate guide to understanding fire certificates, to ensure your safety and full compliance with fire safety regulations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Key factors to consider<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are a number of factors to consider when selecting an appropriate wood coating for your project, particularly looking at what certification is required for the project you’re working on.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Firstly, you must understand whether you want to uprate or maintain the timber substrate.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the difference between uprating and maintaining?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Uprating the timber substrate will take it to the required level of fire retardancy. To achieve this you will need a lacquer that will increase the integrity of the substrate.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maintaining the substrate will keep it at the existing level of retardancy. For this to be possible, you will need to choose a coating that has the same certification.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out our <\/span>YouTube video<\/span><\/a> for more information.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The product type tested<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before using a new product, it is vital to know the finer details of the fire certificate, such as the type of product tested, as it can have an effect on user safety and compliance with fire safety regulations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Important factors to review are the substrate used and its density, the type of surface, whether it is veneer or coated, or whether it is a smooth surface without joints. As well as the product\u2019s application rate and thickness.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A fire certificate, issued by the fire testing body, will detail this, and highlight any limitations and warnings if the product is subsequently used in different conditions to those carried out in the test, which could affect performance and safety.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Different fire certificates available<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A fire certificate will rate products on their fire behaviour and focus on additional classifications such as smoke production, burning droplets or particles and their performance in reaction to fire.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The following fire certificates are available, and both maintaining and up-rating results can be achieved:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UK – BS 476 Parts 6 and 7<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

BS 476 Part 7 (Class 1)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Measures the spread of flame over a given substrate during a 10 minute period. During this period the flame spread is checked at 1.5 minute and 10 minute intervals. If during either check the flame has not extended past the 165mm limit it will be certified as a Class 1 surface. If the flame extends past the limit it will be classified as either Class 2, 3 or 4, depending on severity of spread.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

BS 476 Part 6 \u2013 Fire propagation test<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This certificate measures the contribution of a material to the growth of a fire. The sample is tested in a fire propagation chamber, whereby fourteen jets of a gas pipe burner at a distance of 3mm are applied over a 20 minute period.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The test measures the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature in the chimney of the test chamber at specific intervals compared to a non-combustible sample undergoing the same process. The intervals are as follows: 30 second intervals up to 3 minutes, at 1 minute intervals up to 10 minutes and at 2-minute intervals up to 20 minutes. These temperature measurements are used to calculate sub-index scores (i\u2081, i\u2082, i\u2083) for each stage of the test.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The sub-index scores are then combined to determine the overall fire propagation index (I). To pass the test, the sub-index scores must not exceed 6, and the overall fire propagation index must not exceed 12. The test helps assess the material\u2019s potential contribution to the spread of fire.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If the submitted samples successfully pass both parts 7 and 6 of BS 476, a Class 0 rating is achieved.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

EU – EN BS 13501-1-2007<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This standard is relatively new and will replace the BS 476 certification within 2 years. It was created to merge the current European fire certifications into one universal rating system.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The BS EN 13501 rating categorises material into different Euroclasses determined by the combination of two separate tests: the ISO 11925 Ignitibility Test and the BS EN 13823 Single Burning Item Test.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The defined Euroclasses are A1, A2, B, C, D, E, and F:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n