Large scale fire testing from a product manufacturer’s viewpoint The choice of cladding material on buildings is a critical issue which can be a dominant factor impacting life safety risks to occupants says manufacturer Kingspan Recent events have brought into sharp focus the importance of using the right materials at the start of a build, and the risks of failing to carefully consider the quality and type of materials used. The changing landscape With performance requirements for building products often spanning multiple areas, testing standards and regulatory requirements, national building codes need to change to emergent technology. Small scale product testing to evaluate fire performance of single products (or parts of products) is no longer recognised as providing an accurate representation of system performance. The only way to really understand how a cladding system will react in a fire is to conduct larger scale system testing, such as BS8414, AS5113 and NFPA285. Why large-scale fire testing is crucial Essentially all façade systems have some combustible components, so small scale non-combustibility tests on parts of a system cannot always reliably predict the largescale performance of a system. Large-scale testing involves a significant area of material subjected to the flames and heat of a substantial fire. This permits a more realistic evaluation of the performance of cladding materials, their fixing and joint systems. For product manufacturers, façade testing to BS8414 provides market reassurance that external cladding systems can be used with confidence. The challenge for manufacturers Performance based solutions do require greater industry knowledge of the systems available to help designers achieve their required outcomes. While this can create challenges for manufacturers in terms of product development, a changing marketplace can help to stimulate new and innovative product designs.
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Issue 18
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September 2019
Education about products, regulations and finding pathways to compliance is a key component of a market that increasingly needs to work with performance based solutions. Such solutions are building specific and manufacturers need to demonstrate how they can meet performance requirements. Conclusion It is essential for those in the building and construction industry, to ensure they have an up-to-date understanding of the different materials available for external cladding, including which deliver the best fire safety performance. Experience tells us that product manufacturers need to embrace a wider view of the construction process, ensuring that market education is seen not just as a function of the compliance bodies. When it comes to creating a safer built environment, all partners in the building design and construction industry would benefit from: 1. Large scale testing for all types of façade systems to determine the fire spread performance of any façade design. 2. Supporting industry education regarding how performance solutions can meet compliance. It should be appreciated that the building industry does not have the resources to test every single product or system, and that all fire tests never exactly replicate all the details of a building design. 3. Mandatory training of façade installers to help reduce the risk. 4. Commitment to fire safety practices throughout the design and construction process to ensure that the original design is constructed with greater transparency from all parties, including product manufacturers. This may include greater levels of site inspections and project interaction. 5. Identification of products through labelling to assist with on-site tracking, and third party certification or product validation increasing confidence in product proof of performance.
