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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: barrhump on November 06, 2006, 09:42:00 AM

Title: Help - Surface Spead of Flame
Post by: barrhump on November 06, 2006, 09:42:00 AM

I have asked for a certificate from a supplier to confirm the surface spraed of flame of a material being installed within our building. I have been furnished with a french document confirming the material has a "CLASSEMENT M1" Does anyone know what that means as I am lost! Is BS 476 Part 7 still current or has it been united with a European Code?

Title: Help - Surface Spead of Flame
Post by: Fishy on November 06, 2006, 10:13:36 AM

A lot of research was done a few years ago regarding drawing up some kind of 'equivalence' relationship between French, British and German standards.  The broad conclusion was that it could not be done with any reliability.

BS 476: Part 7 is still current; is still referred to in the Approved Document B, and people are still testing to it (although it will probably eventually be totally replaced by the BS ENs).  If your spec. said that you needed Class 1, if I were you I would not accept that the French document demonstrates this or an equivalent level of performance.

Title: Help - Surface Spead of Flame
Post by: barrhump on November 06, 2006, 11:30:36 AM

Thanks Fishy, just what I wanted to hear!
Regards
Barry

Title: Help - Surface Spead of Flame
Post by: wee brian on November 06, 2006, 03:51:59 PM

If it becomes a problem - most test houses will do an "indicative" test. This involves using one sample rather than 6 (as required by BS 476).

As a one off its a pragmatic solution and the test isnt very expensive.