European Reaction to Fire Classification system (Euroclasses)
Key Points
- System for comparing construction products for ignitability, flame spread, heat release, smoke production and propensity for producing flaming droplets/particles etc.
- Accepted by all European Union States but not mandatory
- Products achieving A1 classification are defined as non-combustible in Irish Regulations
- Rockwool roof insulation achieves highest A1 classification
- Limited Combustibility products require A2 classification or higher
Fire Safety Legislation
Until recently, EU countries had different methods for testing and classifying the Reaction to Fire performance of construction materials. This made comparison of the resulting data extremely difficult, with manufacturers required to carry out different tests in order to sell their products in a particular country. The implementation of a single classification system across the EU member states has introduced a common method for comparing the reaction to fire performance of construction products.
Testing is standardised through the use of BS EN 13501-1 ‘Fire classification of construction products and building elements’.
For insulation products intended to be used in wall and ceiling constructions, there are seven reaction to fire classification levels available – A1, A2, B, C, D, E and F.
Additional classifications provide information on a product’s tendency to produce smoke and flaming droplets or particles.
For combustible products, smoke release is an important consideration and is measured for reaction to fire classes A2 to D. There are three smoke intensity levels: s1, s2 and s3, with s3 being the worst.
Burning droplets/particles can inflict skin burns and cause further spread of fire. Burning droplets/particles are measured for reaction to fire classes A2 to E. There are three classes of burning droplets: d0, d1 and d2, with d2 being the worst.
This reaction to fire classification system was developed through the use of a large-scale Room Corner Test – a so-called ‘reference test’. The reaction to fire classifications were based on the tendency of common products used in the construction industry to exhibit ‘flashover’ in the test.
Flashover is a failure criterion, which typically occurs when the combustion gases reach a temperature of around 600oC and there is a dramatic increase in the rate of heat release and smoke production. Combustion gas temperatures after flashover can range from 600oC to over 1300oC in real compartment fires.
