Author Topic: SAB fire rating????  (Read 4467 times)

Offline Messy

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SAB fire rating????
« on: June 23, 2017, 10:44:11 AM »
I have often struggled interpreting various material fire safety standards and in particular when trying to convert a product with an overseas or specialist standard in to a BS476 equivalent. The area has always been a minefield and of course, one that is now open to intensive scrutiny.

I have a project request to cover the walls a temporary structure with a plastic corrugated sheeting with a fire rating of  SAB Class 3

From my research this standrad appears to apply mainly to plastic rooflights. I have no idea if SAB class 3 converts to a BD476-7 class or gets anywhere near class 0

The tempory structure must be covered in this or similar sheeting for technical reasons. It is located very close to a 10 storey office/research facility,  so I am looking for class 0 if possible.

As this SAB standard seems apply to horizontal roof lights, I am anxious that it may not apply to a 10m high 'wall'

Google has not been friend here so I would be obliged if anyone here could point me in the right direction?

Thanks
« Last Edit: June 23, 2017, 11:47:45 AM by Messy »

Offline Fishy

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Re: SAB fire rating????
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2017, 07:27:27 AM »
Looking on Google (e.g. here: http://www.brettmartin.com/~/media/Files/Daylight-Systems-Document-Library/Technical-Documents/BBA-4114i2---GRP.pdf ) this looks like a  combination of specifications - SAB is a rating to the BS roof test ("S" = "Sloped", "AB" indicating relative time to penetration and spread of flame under the old BS 476: Part 3 test).  It looks like the "3" tacked on the end indicates Class 3 to BS 476: Part 7.  This would be relevant to rooflights, where fire performance from both above (the "SAB") and below (the Class "3") are controlled.

BS 476: Part 3 is a test for roofing systems (not individual products or components), whilst BS 476-7 is a product test standard covering spread-of-flame performance.  I'm not sure why someone would be specifying a roofing test for a wall construction?  In any case, in answer to your question Class 3 to BS 476-7 is nowhere near to Class 0 - as a guide, Class 3 is generally reckoned to be about the same level of performance as untreated timber.

Wise to be cautious - generally speaking it's not supportable to convert ratings between reaction-to-fire test standards as they tend to address completely different aspects of fire performance.  About the only comparisons you can draw with confidence are those published in guidance (e.g. the tables comparing BS and BS EN tests in the AD-B).

Offline Messy

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Re: SAB fire rating????
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2017, 02:56:11 PM »
Many thanks Fishy

I really appreciate your assistance