EN ISO 9239-1: Reaction to fire tests for flooring

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 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.