Fire testing & classification

Fire classification of construction materials is generally performed by the European classification standard EN 13501-1. The price displayed on this page includes the preparation of the classification report. The tests can be purchased separately. The tests required for EN 13501-1 fire classification include the following: For non-flooring: Class F and E: EN ISO 11925-2, Class D, C, B: EN ISO 11925-2 and EN 13823, Class A2: EN 13823 and EN ISO 1182 or EN ISO 1716, Class A1: EN ISO 1182 and EN ISO 1716. For flooring : Class Ffl and Efl: EN ISO 11925-2, Class Dfl, Cfl, Bfl: EN ISO 11925-2 and EN ISO 9239-1, Class A2fl: EN ISO 9239-1 and EN ISO 1182 or EN ISO 1716, Class A1fl: EN ISO 1182 and EN ISO 1716. For linear pipes: Class FL and EL: EN ISO 11925-2, Class DL, CL, BL: EN ISO 11925-2 and EN 13823, Class A2L: EN 13823 and EN ISO 1182 or EN ISO 1716, Class A1L: EN ISO 1182 and EN ISO 1716. In addition to the main class, the materials are given additional classifications for smoke production (s1, s2, and s3) and burning particles (d0, d1, and d2).

This test is used to assess the reaction of building products (excluding flooring) to fire when exposed to a thermal attack by a single burning item (SBI). In the test, the spread of flames and smoke is measured. The main purpose of the test is to classify building products according to Euroclass A2, B, C, or D, as per the European classification standard EN 13501-1. Measurlabs can provide individual EN ISO 13823 testing as well as the full set of tests required for EN 13501-1 fire rating classification.

This test is used to evaluate the non-combustible properties of construction materials. The test is included in the EN 13501-1 fire classification standard for classifications A1, A2, A1fl, A2fl, A1L, and A2L. When aiming for A1 classes, the gross heat of combustion test (EN ISO 1716) is also required. For A2 classes, either the single burning item test (EN 13823) or the reaction to fire test for flooring (EN ISO 9239-1) is required in addition to this test or EN ISO 1716. During non-combustibility testing, the specimen is placed in a tube furnace and possible burning events are monitored with thermocouples. If the test specimen burns, the flaming time is also measured. Class A1 materials are not allowed to experience sustained flaming. For class A2 materials, flaming must stop within 20 seconds.

This test measures the ignitability of building materials when exposed to a small flame. The main purpose of the test is to classify building products according to Euroclass B, Bfl, BL, C, Cfl, CL, D, Dfl, DL, E, Efl, or EL as per the European classification standard EN 13501-1. Measurlabs provides individual EN ISO 11925-2 testing as well as other certified tests for EN 13501-1 fire rating classification.

This method is used to determine the gross heat of combustion of solid building products at constant volume in a bomb calorimeter. Results are reported in J/kg. If the product is non-homogeneous, meaning that it consists of multiple materials, each material must be tested separately. The result can be used to classify construction products into classes A1, A1fl, A1L, A2, A2fl, and A2L according to the fire classification standard EN 13501-1.

Fire testing according to EN ISO 9239-1 is used to evaluate the ability of flooring to withstand flames and radiant heat. Flame spread, smoke generation, and the lowest radiant heat to sustain burning are measured. The method is primarily used to classify floor coverings according to the European EN 13501-1 fire classification system. Depending on the results, floorings can be categorized as A2fl, Bfl, Cfl, or Dfl. A smoke production classification of s1 or s2 is also provided. Another use case is assessing the burning behavior of floor composites and interior horizontal surfaces used in rail vehicles according to the EN 45545-2 standard. The testing procedure is the following: 1) The test specimen is placed in a horizontal position below a gas-fired radiant panel inclined at 30°, where it is exposed to a defined heat flux. 2) A pilot flame is applied to the hotter end of the specimen. 3) Following ignition, any flame front that develops is noted, and a record is made of the progression of the flame front horizontally along the length of the specimen, measuring the time it takes for the fire to spread to defined distances. 4) Smoke production is recorded as light transmission in the exhaust stack. One specimen is tested in one direction (e.g. production direction) and another in the direction perpendicular to the first specimen. The test that yields the worst results is repeated twice in that direction.

The burning rate of horizontally mounted materials designed to be used in vehicles and buses must be tested with the UN/ECE R118 annex 6 test before they can be approved for use. Measurlabs offers this and the other R118 tests with accreditation. In the test method, the exposed side of the test specimen is burned from underneath and the burning rate is measured and expressed in mm/min.

The melting behavior of fusible materials used in certain motor vehicles must be determined according to Annex 7 of UN/ECE Regulation 118. In the test, it is monitored whether the specimen ignites, creates flaming droplets, and if these droplets ignite cotton wool placed under the specimen. For the material to pass the test, there must be no formation of flaming drops that ignite the cotton wool. Measurlabs can offer accredited test reports for the UN/ECE R118 Annex 7 test, as well as the Annex 6 and Annex 8 tests. Non-isotropic materials must be tested from both sides, which means that double the number of samples is required.

The burning rate of vertically mounted materials designed for vehicles and buses must be tested with the UN/ECE R118 Annex 8 test before approval for use. Measurlabs offers this and other accredited R118 fire tests. Upon meeting the requirements outlined in Annex 8, the requirements for horizontal flame spread (annex 6) are also met. In the test method, the exposed side of the vertically mounted test specimen is burned from underneath and the burning rate is measured in mm/min.

Materials for maritime use are tested according to the IMO 2010 FTP Code (International Maritime Organization Fire Testing Procedures Code). Results can be used for type approval (wheel mark). Part 1 of the code describes the procedure for non-combustibility testing of maritime materials. First, the moisture content of the material is calculated as a percentage of the dry weight. Test specimens are heated in a ventilated oven at a temperature of 105 ºC for 24 hours and reweighted after cooling in a desiccator. Specimens shall be further tested and heated in an oven at a temperature of 500 ºC for 2 h and reweighted after cooling in a desiccator. The organic content is calculated as a percentage of the dry weight. For the non-combustibility assessment, the test specimens shall be cylindrical and have a diameter of 43 - 45 mm and a height of 50 ± 3 mm. The specimen is placed in a vertical tube furnace with a temperature of 750 °C. The furnace and specimen temperatures are measured continuously during the test. Multiple specimens are tested. The material is non-combustible according to IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 1 if all the following criteria are satisfied: The average furnace thermocouple temperature rise does not exceed 30 °C, The average test specimen surface thermocouple temperature rise does not exceed 30 °C, The average duration of sustained flaming does not exceed 10 s, The average mass loss does not exceed 50 %..

Smoke and toxicity testing by IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 2 is performed on surface materials to assess their suitability for marine use. The specimen is placed in a horizontal position under a cone radiator inside a smoke-density chamber. During the test, the specimen starts to emit smoke, which is collected in the closed chamber. The density of smoke is detected optically. When making toxicity measurements with FTIR, the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydrogen bromide (HBr), hydrogen fluoride (HF), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), nitrogen oxides NO_x (NO + NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are measured. Classification criteria for smoke An average (D_m) of the maximum of D_s of three tests at each test condition should be within the following limits: D_m 200 for materials used as the surface of bulkheads, linings, or ceilings, D_m 400 for materials used as a primary deck covering, D_m 500 for materials used as a floor covering , D_m 400 for plastic pipes and electric cables. Classification criteria for toxicity The gas concentrations measured at each test condition should be within the following limits: CO 1450 ppm, HCl 600 ppm, HBr 600 ppm, HF 600 ppm, HCN 140 ppm , NO_x 350 ppm , SO₂ 120 ppm (200 ppm for flooring).

Surface flammability testing by IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 5 is to be performed on surface materials to assess their suitability for use in shipbuilding. The specimen is inserted in the specimen holder together with a substrate. It is vertically positioned during the test and is exposed to a heat radiation panel. The test is conducted with a pilot flame. The time of ignition, the spread of flame, extinguishment of flame, and burning droplets are observed and noted. Also, the following parameters are measured: CFE = critical flux at extinguishment (kW/m²), Qsb = heat for sustained burning (MJ/m²), Qt = total heat release (MJ), Qp = peak heat release rate (kW).

Vertically supported textiles and films are to be tested by IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 7 to assess their suitability for marine use. Test results can be used for type approval (wheel mark). At least 20 specimens (170 mm x 220 mm) are cut in both directions of the fabric. If the sides of the fabric are different, both sides shall be tested. Products treated with flame retardants are tested before and after ten full cycles of cleaning and drying. The test specimen is fixed to a vertical metal frame that is placed in the testing cabinet. The specimen is then ignited with a propane gas flame (40 ± 2 mm). Preliminary tests are performed for both directions, the worst case of ignition scenario is chosen, and 5 further tests are conducted in both directions. The after-flame time, burn-through, ignition of cotton wool below, average char length, and surface flash are observed.

IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 8 testing for upholstered furniture is used to assess the suitability of materials for maritime use. The results can be used for type approval (wheel mark). The testing is performed on the actual product or a small-scale test chair consisting of the cover and filling components of the product. Materials needed for the test are as follows x 3: Cover: 800 mm x 650 mm, Back-filling: 450 mm x 300 mm x 75 mm , Seat-filling: 450 mm x 150 mm x 75 mm. During the cigarette test, a cigarette is lighted and positioned axially along the junction between the seat and the back. The test assembly is not allowed to smolder after one hour from the beginning of the test. In the burner tube test, a burner tube with a propane flame is allowed to burn for 20 seconds, positioned axially along the junction between the seat and the back. No flaming or progressive smoldering is allowed to continue for more than 120 seconds after the removal of the burner tube.

IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 9 fire testing assesses the suitability of bedding components for marine use. Test results can be used for type approval (wheel mark). During testing, the ignitability of mattresses, quilts, blankets, pillows, and other bedding components is assessed. Mattresses are placed directly on a test steel rig, while quilts, blankets, pillows, and thin light mattresses are fixed to a mineral wool board that is placed on the test rig. Two ignition sources are used: a smoldering cigarette covered with a cotton wool pad and a small gas flame.