Fire resistance
In fire safety, "reaction to fire" and "resistance to fire" are two different things. Their codification is highly regulated in France and Europe.
Our products are mainly concerned with the reaction to fire, which is defined as the representation of a material as a fuel for fire (combustibility, ignitability).
Passive fire protection is a tool that helps win the market for wood products in the construction of ERPs (Public Receiving Establishments) and in interior design in general. Given the strict compliance with safety standards required by the safety commission, manufacturers, builders, installers or operators are required to provide proof of the classification of the materials they use by presenting the test report of reaction to fire. These tests consist in determining the time during which a construction element will fulfill its function under the effect of fire. Materials are rated based on these various tests.
French rating
In France, there is a rating under the NF P92-507 standard comprised of 5 categories that determine materials’ reaction to fire: they go from M0 for non-combustible to M4 for the most flammable materials and to their propensity to spread fire. This rating is established by laboratories approved by the Ministry of the Interior.
European rating
The Euroclass rating is the new method of rating the reaction to fire of construction products and furnishing materials. This rating has been in effect in all of the countries of the European Union since 2002. Classes A1 to F replace M0 to M4 when the CE marking of the product is applicable. For CE marked products, i.e. products that comply with a harmonized European product standard, the reaction to fire rating must be expressed according to the Euroclasses.
Euroclasses: Bs1d0 and Bs2d0 ratings
Oberflex is one of the first manufacturers to receive the Euroclass B rating for its veneered panels, in accordance with the new European standard for fire behavior classification. Oberflex has been working on the rating of its entire range in compliance with this standard since the beginning of 2010.
The Euroclass rating is based on three factors:
- The instantaneous energy released throughout combustion and total energy (FIGRA & THR - letters A, B, C, D or E)
- Smoke opacity (SMOGRA - characterized by the index s1/s2/s3)
- Formation of flaming droplets or particles (characterized by the d0 or d1 index)
