What is the reaction to fire?
The reaction to fire is the response of a product that, through its decomposition, contributes to the spread of a fire to which it is exposed. This reaction relates to the combustibility and flammability of building materials and can be used to determine the amount of energy released from materials that promotes the growth and spread of fire. Therefore, the type of reaction to fire is crucial in the early stages of a fire.
How is Reaction to Fire Classified and Tested?
Reaction to fire is classified through the European Standard (BS EN 13501-1, also known as Euroclasses). This standard categorizes building products and elements from A to F, assessing their fire reaction by combining data from four small-scale fire reaction tests: burning and damage extent, flame spread, heat release, smoke production, and flaming droplets. For all construction products, fire tests consider that a fire starts in one area, spreads, and eventually reaches the ignition phase.
The Ignitability Test represents the ignition phase and evaluates a product’s ignitability when exposed to a small flame. This test is relevant to classes B to E.
The Burning Test indicates the fire growth stage that eventually reaches full flaming, and it evaluates a product’s potential to spread fire under simulated fire conditions. This test relates to classes A2 to D.
The Non-Combustion Test and the Heat of Combustion Test represent the fire stage after full flaming, where fire is fully spread. These are linked to classes A1 and A2. The non-combustion test identifies products that do not contribute to fire spread, while the heat of combustion test, also known as the Bomb Calorimeter Test, determines the maximum heat produced by a product’s complete combustion.
In line with the Euroclass system, additional classifications for smoke production and flaming particles are also assigned to classes A2 to E.
Why is Large-Scale Reaction to Fire Testing Important?
At Insulation Pars, we believe that small-scale fire reaction tests alone are insufficient; these tests should also be conducted on a large scale.
FAQs
Do you know the difference between large-scale and small-scale testing?
Understanding the relationship between fire development and fire performance is key.
Reaction to Fire
Since the amount of energy produced by a building product plays a crucial role in fire growth, fire reaction is highly important in the early stages of a fire.
Flaming
When a fire has enough energy to spread, it can extend to other rooms and sections. At this stage, compartmentalization is crucial.
Fire Resistance
Once a fire reaches the spread stage and is carried by flames, the fire resistance of building elements and containing it becomes vital.
Fire Spread
The type of reaction building materials have to fire and the duration of exposure to fire are essential factors in fire propagation.