Author Topic: SURFACE SPREAD OF FLAME  (Read 8989 times)

Offline lingmoor

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SURFACE SPREAD OF FLAME
« on: October 25, 2012, 02:39:40 PM »
Hi all

the classes of ssof in healthcare premises is usually 0 or 1
circulation spaces and rooms are class 0 and small rooms class 1

For noticeboards to be anything other that class 0 then they cannot be more than 5% of the total wall area (I expect granny and sucking eggs comes in here)

one hospital wants to put these signs on the ward and hospital street walls (below) and they are huge

has anyone come across them before?

what does the Y mean after the Class 1?

I think the tape measure will have to come out!

Ps...does anyone know where this figure of 5% came from? is it a figure that they just thought acceptable?

cheers

FALCON FOAM is an extruded, closed
cell, unplasticised PVC foam sheet. The
fine, uniform, closed cell structure
underlies a firm, closed cell structure with
a satin finish

Fire Performance:
The fire performance of FALCON FOAM
has been independently tested and the
following classification obtained:
UK BS476: Part 7: CLASS 1Y

Service Temperature
FALCON FOAM can be installed in a
diversity of applications, with varying
temperatures. The material’s mechanical
performance is known to remain stable in
prolonged service in temperatures ranging
from –20 to +60 oC.

Standard sheet sizes: Width:
1220 mm
1560 mm
2050 mm
Length:
2440 mm
3050 mm
Thickness:
2-10mm

Offline Golden

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Re: SURFACE SPREAD OF FLAME
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2012, 04:12:51 PM »
Its a suffix added if the material melts and shrinks away from the pilot flame so treat with caution. It may be perfectly OK but I'd take a look at other characteristics and look at how it is going to be fixed to the substrate. Then I'd get a lighter and carry out the old fire brigade standard flammability/spread of flame test - note of caution though please do this in a safe area away from smoke detectors!

Offline lingmoor

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Re: SURFACE SPREAD OF FLAME
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2012, 04:18:11 PM »
Thanks Golden

If the material melts and shrinks away from the pilot flame that doesn't sound good for a hospital ward!

I thought Class 1 was a higher standard than that...well yer learn something every day!



Offline wee brian

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Re: SURFACE SPREAD OF FLAME
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2012, 10:21:14 AM »
Class 1 is fairly good.

The Y says "something happened - look in the report"

Odds are that bits fell of the sample but enough sample stayed in the rig to pass the test. Often, thermo-plastics fall out and can't be classified.

Think about what you are trying to achieve. Is it reducing the contribution to a fire or the risk of being the item first ignited.

Sticking a lighter on the sample can help too (mind your fingers etc)