Burning characteristics of building products in the light of European harmonization

Abstract

Countries in the EU are in the process of changing over to a harmonized reaction-to-fire classification based on the Construction Products Directive (CPD, 89/106/EC) relating to construction products. It aims to remove technical barriers to trade arising from national laws and regulations, thus enabling the creation of a single European market in construction products. To scrutinize scenario-dependent effects on burning characteristics, representative building products have been tested using alternative test methods simulating more or less identical fire stages. The test methods were the SBI test and ISO 5658-4. Comparison of the methods also allowed evaluation with regard to the valid risk assessment of the classification system to be expected. A correlation between different test procedures may be expected as far as the main fire parameters are concerned. The quantitative generation of smoke is, however, primarily a function of the burning rate. Qualitatively smoke density depends on the decomposition conditions - temperature and ventilation - so the time during which a product is involved in the fire is essential for the assessment of smoke density. To quantify the relevant parameters, systematic investigations were made with beech using test procedures ASTM E 662 and DIN 53436/7.