As new standards on fire stopping are being developed, Chris Miles previews the new testing regime and predicts how this will impact suppliers, installers and specifiers.
We are all well aware of the need to provide fire separation in buildings so that if a fire does occur, it doesn’t spread to become a major hazard to life and property. The use of masonry, plasterboard and many other types of construction – often including specialised fire protection materials – in providing the compartment walls and floors is critical in facilitating this separation. However, all too often the fire resistance of walls and floors is compromised by the penetration of services through the elements which are then often inadequately reinstated in terms of fire protection. Imagine it as wedging open a fire resisting door!
There are numerous systems available to act as firestopping but they are often incorrectly specified or installed. This problem has been partially addressed in the latest version of the Building Regulations for England and Wales. These have now recognised the value of third party certificated products and installers, so providing the potential for higher levels of ‘policing’.
CE marking for penetration seals and/or linear joint and gap seals is expected to begin in 2008. The standards to evaluate the fire performance of these products will be published in the form of ETAGs (Guidelines for European Technical Approvals) which give the requirements for penetration seals and linear joint and gap seals that are intended for the European market, including the UK. Some of the requirements will be mandatory, such as the need to prove fire resistance performance for a penetration sealing system in fire separating elements. Some will be voluntary, such as air and water permeability. Additionally not all countries will require the same characteristics, so all possibilities are covered by the ETAGs.
There are a number of new test methods and standards which are detailed in each ETAG. Warringtonfire’s latest guide, How to Test and Certificate Firestopping gives details of each standard and under which guideline they are covered. Of particular note are EN 1366-3.2 and fire resistance testing of penetration seals, and EN 1366-4 and fire resistance testing of linear joint and gap seals.
For penetration systems, the Notified Certification Body will require that tests are conducted in accordance with the latest version of EN 1366-3. This test standard (EN 1366-3.2) will introduce a number of changes to the established ‘bespoke’ testing of penetration seals historically adopted in the UK. While the standard does not preclude the testing of specimen configurations which are tailored to the specific needs or markets of the sealing products, the principle of ‘standard’ test configuration and supporting constructions has also been included – along with associated rules for the field of application permitted when conducting tests in this manner. This presents the opportunity for a more consistent approach to testing and a more level playing field, with a greater emphasis on a clear field of application for the results of a successful test on a standard configuration – something which is not currently possible from current tests.
For linear and gap sealing systems, the Notified Body will require that tests are conducted in accordance with EN 1366-4:2006. The standard follows similar principles that have been used in the UK to identify the fire resistance of linear joint and gap seals, but also introduces the option of testing with mechanically induced movement of the supporting construction. Linear joint dimensions may alter prior to a fire due to movement from wind loading, variation in moisture and/or changes in ambient temperature and these stresses could be present during a fire event. Additionally linear joints may be required to move under fire conditions due to the deformation of the supporting elements. So this new test standard offers a method of evaluating these scenarios under test conditions, while linear joint and gap sealants which are used in situations where a movement is not required, may still be tested in static constructions.
‘Historic’ testing
Manufacturers conducting tests in accordance with EN 1366-3 or EN 1366-4 and who expect to CE mark their fire stopping products, should discuss the potential of pre-testing with the certification body. This entails looking at the possibility that any tests conducted before the ETAGs are available may be used after they have been issued. As an indication, it is suggested that all products that are being tested for fire resistance characteristics are sampled from stock or the place of manufacture. This will be a requirement under the CE marking process and it should mean that tests conducted are fully acceptable once CE marking begins.
Building Regulations for fire rated products have recently changed to recognise third party certification of both products and installers. This resolves a weakness in previous regulations which allowed a manufacturer to conduct tests on products supplied directly to the test laboratory; products that may not be wholly representative of production with no independent monitoring of the ongoing production. For life safety products and systems this was far from ideal, although a number of sectors in the construction industry are already signed up to independent third party product inspection, often supported by a relevant trade association.
Even if a product has received third party endorsement, this doesn’t necessarily take the concept beyond the factory gates. If the product is not installed properly or the wrong products are specified, they can fail in a fire, leading to loss of compartmentation and potentially loss of life. Fire protection installation is a specialised skill but it is often undertaken by those installing non-fire related construction and without necessary skills. Third party certification of installation companies gives customers the reassurance that fire products have been installed correctly.
Chris Miles is divisional business & technical development manager at Bodycote warringtonfire. To find out more about firestopping testing and certification, contact him at tel: 01925 655116
e-mail: [email protected]
NEW TEST REGIME
Bodycote warringtonfire has announced that it has launched an informal working group with around 20 firestopping product manufacturers to focus on the “challenges ahead in satisfying the impending European Standards”. It has also published the second in a series of guides designed to explain the latest changes in fire testing requirements, which covers test and certification for firestopping (penetration seals and linear joint and gaps seals). The guide has been designed as an informative overview of the test and certification mechanisms available to those who specify, manufacture and install fire stopping products, in light of imminent changes to requirements.
CE marking for penetration seals and/or linear joint and gap seals is expected to begin in the second half of this year. The standards to evaluate the fire performance of these products has already been published in ETAGs (Guidelines for European Technical Approvals) which give the requirements for penetration seals and for linear joint and gap seals that are intended for the European market, including the UK.
The new guide gives an overview of which tests are required under ETAG 026 part 2 for penetration seals, and ETAG 026 part 3 for Linear joint and Gap seals, as well as giving an overview of new test standards for EN 1366-3.2 for penetration seals and EN1366-4 for linear joint and gap seals.
The guide also gives an overview of the benefits of third party certification for products and installers, which is has recently been recognised in building regulations.
CE MARKING TESTS
Fire stopping and fire sealing products: general. ETAG 026: Part 1
Fire stopping and fire sealing products: penetration seals. ETAG 026: Part 2
Fire stopping and fire sealing products: Linear joint and gap seals. ETAG 026: Part 3
