Author Topic: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.  (Read 9560 times)

Offline Dinnertime Dave

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Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« on: July 21, 2017, 12:55:03 PM »
Looking at a ceiling tile in a property. The label is in German but states that the tile conforms to A2-S1, d0.

 I know it's non combustible and does not produce droplets, but does it provide me with 30 minutes fire resistance.  ???

Also, it isn't clipped with the construction company saying they don't need clipping anymore - Dinosaur.
« Last Edit: July 21, 2017, 04:59:46 PM by Dinnertime Dave »

Offline Tom Sutton

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2017, 08:35:45 PM »
Your example appears to have been tested by "EN 13501-1: Reaction to Fire" standard which I think is equivalent to surface spread of flame test and meets a class O standard. To measure the fire resistance you need "EN 13501-2: Fire Resistance" but check out http://www.frocc.org/pdf/regulation/Regulatory_guide_Rockwool.pdf and http://www.owa.de/docs/pdf/DS_500_EU_Fire_resistance_EN13501_070908.pdf it is not easy but hopefully somebody can help.
All my responses only apply to England and Wales and they are an overview of the subject, hopefully it will point you in the right direction and always treat with caution.

Offline colin todd

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2017, 10:38:56 PM »
Suppers, it is not necessarily non- combustible but it will be acceptable where, in the UK, we would want limited combustibility.
Colin Todd, C S Todd & Associates

Offline Dinnertime Dave

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2017, 11:27:47 PM »
The property is a very large timber framed extra care scheme. I Picked up as part of the FRA the lack of fire resistance above the false ceiling around the kitchen and laundry.

The property is 4 years old and classed as a latent defect and gone back to the developers to put right. However, to put it right retrospectively would involve a great deal of disruption and cost. The solution offered is to replace the existing suspended ceiling with a fire resistant suspended ceiling. Waiting for certification but noticed the discarded packaging stating the standard in the OP.

15 years of inspecting, trust no one.

Offline Phoenix

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2017, 12:13:01 AM »
Have you checked the fire resistance of the framework that holds the tiles up?

Offline Dinnertime Dave

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2017, 02:29:03 PM »
Have you checked the fire resistance of the framework that holds the tiles up?


Yes, I'm waiting for certification on the complete system as fitted.

Offline colin todd

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2017, 09:04:03 PM »
Suppers, I would be very careful.  True FR ceilings are as rare as nice, polite, reasonable and intelligent LFEPA I/Os.  I have come across two or three of each in my 41 years in fire safety, but the theory of what should be is very different from the practice.  Also, from which side are you looking for FR?
Colin Todd, C S Todd & Associates

Offline Fishy

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2017, 10:18:09 AM »
Looking at a ceiling tile in a property. The label is in German but states that the tile conforms to A2-S1, d0.

 I know it's non combustible and does not produce droplets, but does it provide me with 30 minutes fire resistance.  ???

Also, it isn't clipped with the construction company saying they don't need clipping anymore - Dinosaur.

A2 isn't non-combustible - it's a material of limited combustibility - and no, I'm afraid that it gives no indication whatsoever as to whether the ceiling has any fire resistance or not (from whichever direction).

Offline Tom Sutton

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2017, 11:38:15 AM »
EN 13501-2: Fire Resistance, is the standard for fire resistance and for 30 mins FR, it would be labeled REI 30. The F is stability, the R is integrity  and the I is insulation.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2017, 11:45:56 AM by Tom Sutton »
All my responses only apply to England and Wales and they are an overview of the subject, hopefully it will point you in the right direction and always treat with caution.

Offline Fishy

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2017, 02:06:06 PM »
EN 13501-2: Fire Resistance, is the standard for fire resistance and for 30 mins FR, it would be labeled REI 30. The F is stability, the R is integrity  and the I is insulation.

Sorry to correct you, Tom - it's not quite that simple in Euroclass world!  Firstly R = Load-bearing capacity; E = Integrity and I is insulation, but you wouldn't want 'R' from a ceiling alone - that would only apply if it were part of a floor construction.  

Ceilings that provide fire separation in their own right would be either 'E' or 'EI' rated and should also be classified (and specified) according to the direction of exposure (either from below, or from above, or both).  So a typical "Euroclass" for a 60 minute fire resisting ceiling might be EI 60 (a↔b) - meaning it gives 60 mins integrity and insulation from both above and below.   On the other hand, EI 60 (a←b) indicates a ceiling membrane which is capable of providing 30 min integrity and thermal insulation performance from the underside only.  Really important for anyone specifying these installations against the Euroclasses to quote the full classification.

If you think that's complicated, try linear gap seals - typical performance specification / classification: "EI 30 - H - M 100 - B - W 30 to W 90"!

Offline Tom Sutton

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2017, 03:53:52 PM »
No need to say sorry I learn from being corrected and I think many others will as well. I thought our standards were complicated but the EN are in a league of their own and hopefully it will answer part of DD, OP.

Also there was a typo the F should have been R but thanks for clearing it up.
All my responses only apply to England and Wales and they are an overview of the subject, hopefully it will point you in the right direction and always treat with caution.

Offline Tom Sutton

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #11 on: July 25, 2017, 08:06:31 AM »
I fully agree with you Fishy but what about suspended ceiling as it has a load bearing capacity element because in a fire it could collapse, therefore should the R be added?
All my responses only apply to England and Wales and they are an overview of the subject, hopefully it will point you in the right direction and always treat with caution.

Offline Fishy

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #12 on: July 25, 2017, 09:13:42 AM »
I fully agree with you Fishy but what about suspended ceiling as it has a load bearing capacity element because in a fire it could collapse, therefore should the R be added?

Not if it's only self-supporting - EI alone is fine if it's only function is to provide fire separation (though the times when you need this should be rare).  If it's intended to support load in service then it isn't a ceiling - it's a floor!

Offline Tom Sutton

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #13 on: July 25, 2017, 09:55:16 AM »
Thanks Fishy
All my responses only apply to England and Wales and they are an overview of the subject, hopefully it will point you in the right direction and always treat with caution.

Offline Dinnertime Dave

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Re: Fire Resistance of Ceiling tiles.
« Reply #14 on: July 25, 2017, 12:26:20 PM »
Thanks for all the replies, really informative and interesting. Still waiting for certification.