Fire Resistance

The fire resistance test measures how long a building element maintains its function in a furnace heated according to a standard fire curve. Performance is given by three criteria: load-bearing capacity (R), integrity (E) and insulation (I). The result is expressed with these letters and a duration in minutes.

The purpose is to show that the structure remains standing for a defined period during a fire, that flame and hot gas do not pass through the compartment, and that the far surface does not reach a hazardous temperature. This duration is the time set aside for evacuation and firefighting response.

• Fire doors and partition walls
• Load-bearing columns, beams and floors
• Suspended ceiling and facade systems
• Ventilation ducts and dampers
• Fire-protective paints and coatings

• EN 1363-1 (fire resistance tests — general requirements)
• EN 1364 series (non-loadbearing elements)
• EN 1365 series (loadbearing elements)
• EN 1634 series (door and shutter assemblies)
• EN 13501-2 (fire resistance classification)

Heating curve

Standard temperature–time curve defined in EN 1363-1

furnace pressure

Pressure condition defined in the standard

Criteria

Carrier capacity (R), integrity (E), insulation (I) and additional criteria if necessary

Specimen

Full size element representing actual application

• Fire test furnace (vertical and/or horizontal)
• Furnace temperature control system and plate thermometers
• Sample surface temperature measurement thermocouples
• Displacement measurement system
• Cotton pad and gap gauges (integrity assessment)

• The sample must be taken so as to represent the batch and in accordance with the sampling rules of the relevant standard.
• The sampling date, location and the person who took the sample must be recorded.
• Samples requiring curing or conditioning must be stored under the defined conditions.
• The number of samples must meet the minimum required by the standard.
• The sample must not be damaged during transport.

The test lasts as long as the targeted classification duration and is generally completed within a day. Manufacturing the sample, placing it in the furnace, and curing are added before this; total duration can reach weeks.

1. 1The sample is manufactured with actual application details and placed in the furnace frame.
2. 2Thermocouples and measurement setups are positioned per the standard.
3. 3A test load is applied to loadbearing elements.
4. 4The furnace is heated according to the standard temperature-time curve.
5. 5Load-bearing capacity, integrity and insulation criteria are continuously monitored.
6. 6The moment the first criterion is no longer met is recorded.
7. 7The result is classified per EN 13501-2.

The acceptance class does not come from the test method but from the product standard and the project: concrete class, reinforcement class, aggregate category, or fire performance class is defined in the specification. The report gives the measured value; the conformity decision is made against the relevant product standard.

Performance is determined by how long each criterion is maintained and classified per EN 13501-2 (e.g. an EI 60 designation). Which class is required is determined by the Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings and the project; the laboratory measures the class, it does not define the requirement.

• Sample description, sampling location and date
• Sampling method and witness sample information, if any
• Standard and test conditions applied
• Sample dimensions, curing conditions and age information
• Measured values and calculated results
• Failure mode or damage description (where applicable)
• A statement that the result applies only to the specimen submitted for testing

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

• EU 305/2011 Construction Products Regulation (CPR)
• Construction Products Regulation (Turkey)
• TS 500 / Requirements for Design and Construction of Reinforced Concrete Structures
• Turkish Building Earthquake Code

The section below describes the field that the Fire Resistance test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

• Concrete Compressive Strength
• Concrete Tensile Strength
• Aggregate Sieve Analysis
• Aggregate Los Angeles Abrasion
• Reinforcing Steel Tensile Test
• Brick Compressive Strength
• Ceramic Flexural Strength
• Glass Impact Test
• Wind Load
• Façade Watertightness
• Reaction to Fire
• Cement