Fire safety

Fire resistance is the measurement of the ability of a material or system to resist, and ideally prevent, the passage of fire from one distinct area to another.

Reaction to fire is the measurement of how a material or system will contribute to the fire development and spread, particularly in the early stages of a fire when evacuation is crucial.

Euroclass is the harmonised European classification for the fire reaction performance of building materials which may appear (in descending order of significance) as A1, A2, B, C, D, E or F. Also, and depending upon national market legislation, additional information regarding smoke production and flaming droplets or particles, may be required, for example A2-s1,d0.

Insulation with a ‘Euroclass A2-s1,d0’ classification is considered non-combustible as set out in changes to the building regulations 2010 which bans the use of combustible materials, limiting use of materials to those achieving A1 or A2-s1,d0 on buildings in scope of the ban (as defined in regulation 7(4)).

It is noted in Approved Document B2 that, where a masonry cavity wall is built with two leaves of brick or concrete at least 75mm thick and the cavity is fully filled with non-combustible insulation a cavity barrier is not required. This includes around openings such as windows and doors. It is essential that the non-combustible insulation is in full contact with both leaves and is continuous across the entire area of the cavity wall. When these criteria are met there is no cavity in which the fire and smoke can spread.

As Knauf Insulation DriTherm® Cavity Slabs are full-fill and achieve the highest Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification (in accordance with BS EN 13501), they meet these requirements, so cavity barriers won’t be required.

Knauf Fire Panel has a pink paper face.

There are different approved documents, technical handbooks and booklets that provide guidance on the building regulations. Here is a list of technical documentations to support Fire Strategy:

Knauf Frameless Encasement - Fireboard, provides loadbearing capacity for up to 120 minutes in accordance with EN 13381-4.

Knauf Fireboard is predominately used with the Knauf Frameless Encasement system. The product is fleece-lined, glass reinforced gypsum (GRG) board, available in a range of thicknesses to suit varying performances and installation requirements. Knauf's Fireboard has a reaction to fire classification rating of A1, according to EN 13501-1.

In relation to suspended ceilings, fire resistance can only be achieved by a combined tile and grid system; so there is no such thing as a fire-resistant tile or a fire-resistant grid. Our ceiling systems can provide protection for 60 minutes, to classification standard BS EN 13501-2. Full details of the ceiling type and construction, protected structure and tested time are given in each fire report, a copy of which is available on request.