5 minute read
Choosing the Correct Option
Image © Burnblock
You rely on your supply chain to deliver ‘fit for purpose’ building products. Fire-retardant timber is a case in point. Documents tick the box. But is that enough? Mark Eggleston, managing director, WJ Group explains why ensure the correct treatment is so important.
T
imber is popular. Ecologically superior and aesthetically pleasing, it offers countless benefits. But when it comes to fire-retardant timber, there’s a knowledge gap that could risk significant errors. Incredibly, no monitoring system exists for fire-treated timber in the UK. So, how do you know your supplier has got it right?
Let me explain where my concern comes from, and how you can handle this to correctly specify fire-retardant timber with your supply chain.
Object-based navigation
It starts with The Construction Product Regulation (EU no. 305/2011). This requires the manufacturer or company placing the product on the market to CE mark it. At WJ Timber Treatments, we fire-treat timber with Burnblock. An eco-friendly Danish product and we adhere to the EU’s interpretation of the CPR – the timber treater is responsible for CE mark provision (and the traceability this demands).
But here’s the anomaly. The UK interprets the CPR differently. They state the company placing the treated timber for sale is responsible for CE marking and documentation. But how does a timber trader truly understand the fire-treatment process – and whether it’s fit for your purpose?
In the UK, the timber treater only needs a Factory Production Control document, audited in line with a quality management standard like ISO 9001. This makes no reference to the relevant product harmonised standard. And no documented traceability back to BS EN 13501 fire classification report (Euro B or C). As fire treating timber significantly alters the performance of it, we maintain the EU’s stance and provide full treatment traceability.
We don’t have to do this. The UK says we’re not the business placing the product on the market. Nor the manufacturer. But we believe we should be doing this. It’s our moral responsibility to provide people like you with total confidence.
Mark Eggleston, managing director, WJ Group
Understand the testing to specify correctly
Let me explain the importance of understanding the detail behind the Declaration of Performance that’ll accompany your fire-treated timber. Unlike many treaters, we provide a species-specific Declaration of Performance to accompany every fire-treated product. We don’t have to do this, but we think it’s right. Going back to the CPR, it states products in the ‘reaction to fire’ category must be CE marked (CE marking will become UKCA in 2022).
To achieve CE marking for timber cladding, for example, BS EN14915/2013 is the correct harmonised standard to meet. This states the AVCP (Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance) must be Class 1 for reaction to fire products. AVCP1 requires continual auditing by a notified body. WJ uses Finetrol.
The notified body then provides a Constancy of Performance, renewed after every annual audit. Only then can your supplier issue a species-specific Declaration of Performance. It’s complex. And that’s why it’s vital to ask your supplier the right questions.
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Image © Burnblock
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Three questions to ask
Ask your supplier these questions. You’ll uncover evidence behind the paperwork – and that’s what leads to a fit-for-purpose specification. Timber that will perform correctly in the event of a fire.
1. Does your treater issue the CE mark and Declaration of
Performance?
This is rarely the case (aside from WJ). So, how can your provider sufficiently understand the testing and third-party auditing required to create these documents?
2. Is the Declaration of Performance specific to the timber species?
Reputable treaters have a Constancy of Performance that summaries the fire classification report for each species. Robust auditing will take place by the notified body that issued the fire classification report on behalf of the fire-retardant chemical supplier. A generic Declaration of Performance is, quite frankly, dangerous.
3. If you’re supplied with a Factory Production Control document, was it audited against the correct harmonised standard?
For example, that would be EN14915/2013 for cladding. The CPR doesn’t make this clear so it’s easy to have a disconnect between an irrelevant standard and the control document. Another risky situation. Fire retardant timber is complex. And yet, so crucial to specify correctly.
More at www.wj-group.co.uk or you can email Mark at mark@wj-group.co.uk
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