New European Fire Classification System - Kingspan Insulation

May 2003New European FireClassification SystemTECHNICAL BULLETIN

INTRODUCTIONA new system of fire ratings, the Euroclass system, hasbeen introduced by the EU, and is set to eventuallyreplace the BS 476 series that is currently recognisedwithin the UK.Many different fire tests are used to assess the fireperformance of construction products and wholeelements of construction. Of note are two types, ‘reactionto fire’ and ‘resistance to fire’.‘Reaction to fire’ tests are appropriate to help establishthe performance of surface mounted products exposed tofire within a room. The important features are ease ofignition and contribution to any fire already started in aroom. The tests of this type under the current BS 476series are Part 6 (Fire Propagation Test) and Part 7(Surface Spread of Flame Test).‘Resistance to fire’ tests are important in assessing theability of a complete construction to impede the progressof a fire between rooms or from the inside to the outsideof a building. The tests of this type under the currentBS 476 series are Part 21 (Fire Resistance ofLoadbearing Elements Test) and Part 22 (Fire Resistanceof Non–Loadbearing Elements Test).Throughout the EU there have historically been a largenumber of different tests used for assessing the ‘reactionto fire’ of construction products. These variations acrossnational boundaries mean that comparison ofperformance of a product when assessed by differentmethods is impossible, leading to barriers to trade.A new EU system has been developed to assess the‘reaction to fire’ for wall and ceiling lining products.No European system has yet been agreed to assess‘resistance to fire’ performance, or ‘reaction to fire’ forproducts other than wall and ceiling linings.This classification system for ‘reaction to fire’ for wall andceiling lining products is simple, using letters from A to E.A1 & A2BCDEDecreasing performance in‘reaction to fire’ tests.For the purposes of CE marking it is also possible toadopt an F (= no performance determined).These classes are based on a series of small andmedium–scale tests (most notably the Single Burning Itemor SBI test). However, provision is also made for anyproduct manufacturer to appeal against a classificationand have their product tested using a large–scale test,known as a Reference Scenario. The correlationbetween the Reference Scenario and the small andmedium–scale tests is the basis on which this systemworks. This is necessary, as the cost of large–scaletesting for all products would be unduly onerous onthe industry.The Single Burning Item test was specifically developedfor lining products and it measures, among other thingsTotal Heat Release (THR) and the Fire Index Growth Rate(FIGRA) which is the rate of initial heat release.Products that fall into the combustible classes, i.e.B to F, are classified not only on the basis of theseproperties. The test method also provides a smoke subclassification (with S1 being best and S3 being theworst) and one for burning droplets (with D0 being bestand D2 being the worst) and this is expected to addfurther differentiation between product types.It is permissible to test wall and ceiling lining products intwo ways:● ‘in application’ i.e. as part of a completeconstruction; or● ‘as placed on the market’ i.e. naked.2

COMPARISON BETWEENEUROCLASSESThe classification received by a material dependsfundamentally upon its composition and any facingused. However, these are not the only factors.The substrate onto which the sample is mounted isalso of significance. In order for the Euroclass ratingto have the widest possible applicability a ‘worstcase’ substrate such as wood–fibre board is used.In an attempt to achieve better ratings, somemanufacturers may use ‘best case’ substrates such ascalcium silicate board, but the effect of this is to limitthe applicability of the Euroclass rating to directlycomparable applications.REPLACEMENT OF THE CURRENTCLASS O SYSTEMFollowing the final adoption of the new classificationscheme, national fire classifications will be phased outof use over a period of five to ten years.This change may result in a situation that productswhich are currently Class 1 or O to the BuildingRegulations, on the basis of BS 476 tests, will be indifferent Building Regulations Classes when judged onthe basis of their Euroclass. Class O correlates withEuroclass B in the new regime. However, there are anumber of products that are Class O based onBS 476 tests that will not achieve a Euroclass B.After the transition to the European classificationsystem, it is expected that legislative requirements willcontinue to vary from application to application andcountry to country, and that a range of productperformances dependent on end use will be required,as is currently the case. National regulation willprovide a means to avoid unnecessary distortions,if it can be shown that the product has been fit forpurpose in the past.Therefore, it is unlikely that products that are currentlyClass 1 or O will be discriminated against, in termsof their acceptance for use in buildings, merely onaccount of the new classification system. In that sense,the use of simple conversion tables is a gross oversimplification and should be avoided.NB In 2002 Class O was replaced by thenomenclature ‘Low Risk’ and Class 1 by ‘MediumRisk’ in Scotland.ISSUES TO CONSIDERDISCRIMINATION AGAINST PRODUCTS WITH THINCOMBUSTIBLE SURFACE LAYERSThere are controversial aspects to the tests thatunderpin the Euroclass system. For example, in the SBItest, FIGRA, one of the main classification parameters,unduly discriminates against products with a morecombustible surface layer such as a paint coating orthe facing on an insulation product. Unfortunately, ahigh FIGRA can be obtained with very quick burn–offof an insubstantial surface layer. Unexpectedclassifications are in many cases caused by low heatbut quick burn–off of this surface layer even though itmay not represent any risk and may contribute little tothe propagation of a fire or the fire load. SBI alsomeasures Total Heat Release (THR) which would leadto a better assessment of risk as it measures the totalcontribution of a product to a fire.FIGRA unduly discriminatesagainst faced insulationproducts.‘AS PLACED ON THE MARKET’ VS ‘IN APPLICATION’There is a complication with the Euroclass system forwall and ceiling linings over how a product should bepresented for testing. The European Commission insiststhat fire testing has to be carried out 'with considerationof the end use' of the product. However, for CEmarking, the product should be tested 'as placed on themarket' (e.g. a flat board of rigid urethane or rigidphenolic insulation with aluminium foil facings) but mayalso be tested ‘in application’ (i.e. as part of acomplete construction).This is no problem for products used as wall andceiling linings as the two ratings will most likely concur,but most insulation products are designed to be usedin a non–exposed application, e.g. in a cavity wall orbehind plasterboard. The problem arises with productsthat obtain a poor classification 'as placed on themarket' (i.e. naked) but are intended for use behind amaterial such as plasterboard where the combinationgives a good fire rating.However, CE marking is not mandatory in the UK andIreland, and not all manufacturers will CE mark theirproducts. Kingspan Insulation does not intend to CEmark its products manufactured in and for sale in the UKand Ireland and will therefore not be issuing Euroclassdata for naked products 'as placed on the market'.3

In a floor application, insulation is not exposed to the inside of a building, it is normally installed behind concrete, screed or timber.Shown here: Kingspan Thermafloor TF73 zero ODP being installed on a concrete floor. Kingspan Thermafloor TF73 zero ODP has an integralchipboard layer, which is placed to the inside of the building.4Since the current tests are only valid for product usedas wall and ceiling linings, this issue is still beingdebated within the industry and it is something ofwhich specifiers and users should be aware. In futureyou may well see both a rating ‘in application’ and arating ‘as placed on the market' being used andstrictly speaking it is the rating ‘in application’ thatmay be considered the more valid.strictly speaking it is therating ‘in application’ thatmay be considered the morevalid.‘In application’, depending on the construction, insulationproducts with a Euroclass E or F 'as placed on themarket' could achieve a Euroclass B rating. Otherconstructions incorporating an insulation product ratedA1 'as placed on the market' could achieve a EuroclassE or F ‘in application’ as the rating relates almost whollyto the product used to line the construction.This is an example of the misunderstandings that existon the use and performance of insulation products.It illustrates that it is of vital importance that the fireperformance of insulation products is seen in thecontext of their end use. The testing of products withinsufficient relation to their end use is misleading.In effect, ‘naked’ product Euroclass data is redundantfor insulation products unless they are used to lineconstructions and are exposed on the inside ofbuildings e.g. insulation ceiling tiles or lining boards.In effect, ‘naked’ productEuroclass data is redundant forinsulation products unless theyare used to line constructionsand are exposed on the insideof buildings

DELAY IN IMPLEMENTATIONThe Euroclass system is a requirement of the raft ofnew product standards that have been introducedunder the Construction Products Directive. These newproduct standards were set to completely replaceexisting national product standards as of March 1,2003. However, this deadline was postponed andeventually reset for May 13, 2003. The insulationindustry in the UK has agreed to adopt this raft ofproduct standards voluntarily as of March 1, 2003,despite this delay, with only one exception, that of thenew Euroclass system. Some manufacturers will usethe new system, some will not for the time being.Existing national fire standardsare not set to be withdrawn forfive to ten years.The Euroclass system and the fire test standards thatunderpin it are not being introduced on the sametime–scale as the product standards. Existing national firestandards are not set to be withdrawn for five to tenyears. Furthermore, HM Government has stated that it willnot implement the new Euroclass system until the industryis ready to adopt it. There is currently a great degree ofconcern over a number of issues with the system, namely,how products are to be mounted and fixed, and whether‘in application’ or ‘as placed on the market’ data shouldbe used. There have also been a number of productcomposition changes forced by other EU Directives,which have yet to bed in, the effects of which would putcertain parts of the insulation industry at a seriousdisadvantage. In particular, the final phase out of HCFCblowing agents from all building insulation materials.Furthermore, HM Governmenthas stated that it will notimplement the new Euroclasssystem until the industry isready to adopt it.It is not unreasonable for product manufacturers towish to understand the performance of their productsunder these tests before finalising formulations.It is likely, therefore, that some manufacturers, particularlythose who will benefit from the quirks of the new testregime will start to use Euroclasses on a voluntary basisas of March 1, 2003. Others will not do so, and willwait until all outstanding queries over fire testing aresettled and the standard is generally accepted across theEU*. Kingspan Insulation is in this latter group.*NB currently Germany and some other countries are imposing theirown additional requirements, a practice which is strictly illegal underthe CPD.In a timber frame wall application, insulation is not exposed to the inside of a building, it is normally installed behind plasterboard.Shown here: Kingspan Thermawall TW55 zero ODP being installed as a sheathing to the outside of the frame. In this instance there is a layer ofsheathing ply or OSB as well as the plasterboard between the insulation and the interior of the building.5

In a floor application, insulation is not exposed to the inside of a building, it is normally installed behind concrete, screed or timber.Shown here: Kingspan Thermafloor TF70 zero ODP being installed under screed with an underfloor heating system.6‘REACTION’ VS ‘RESISTANCE’‘Fire resistance’ means the ability of a structuralelement to sustain the performance of its structuralduty, whilst being exposed to the temperatures likelyto be encountered in a developed fire for specifiedperiods of time. Insulants are generally used withinbuilding assemblies (walls, roofs and floors), and areusually protected by an incombustible or a protectivecovering material, which is difficult to ignite. In normalcircumstances the insulant cannot burn until the barrieris penetrated.Since ‘reaction to fire’ is more determined by theproducts used to line a room, generally not insulationmaterials, the fire performance of insulation is of moreimportance in the context of the ‘fire resistance’ of anelement of construction.The Euroclass system for ‘reaction to fire’ can not givea representative picture of the performance ofinsulation materials in ‘fire resistance’ tests. This canbe illustrated by ‘fire resistance’ tests of timber framewalls.the fire performance ofinsulation is of moreimportance in the context ofthe ‘fire resistance’ of anelement of construction.A timber frame wall insulated with a polyisocyanurateinsulation board faced with a composite foil facing onboth sides, easily passed the BS 476: Part 21: 1987half hour fire test. In this test, after the plasterboard liningto the test wall failed and the composite foil facing hasburned off, the polyisocyanurate core of the insulationproduct provided the critical fire resistance for the test toproceed to 36 minutes at which time the test wasstopped. The fire did not penetrate the insulation product.Other materials such as the glass fibre products normallyused in timber frame walls do not contribute to arrestingfire penetration in this way, they can simply contractaway in the direct heat of the test allowing fire to passthrough. It may take a number of attempts to achieve amarginal pass in a BS 476: Part 21: 1987 half hour firetest using a standard glass fibre timber frame wallinsulation product in a standard timber frame wall.The curious thing is that the glass fibre product ‘asplaced on the market’ achieves a Euroclass A1, butthe polyisocyanurate board achieves a significantlyworse Euroclass as its facings burn off quickly in theSBI test but add little to the fire load.Ask yourself, which system you would prefer to use.It could be considered, therefore, that the ‘fireresistance’ of the assembly itself, is the most importantconsideration in fire engineering. Not ‘reaction to fire’Euroclasses.It could be considered, therefore,that the ‘fire resistance’ of theassembly itself, is the mostimportant consideration in fireengineering. Not ‘reaction tofire’ Euroclasses.

EUROCLASSIFICATION ANDKINGSPAN BUILDING FABRICINSULATION PRODUCTSKingspan rigid phenolic (Kooltherm ® ) and rigidurethane (Therma) insulation boards have beentested to this new regime.Some rigid phenolic insulation products ‘as placed onthe market’ can achieve a class B rating.‘In application’, depending on the construction, rigidphenolic and rigid urethane insulation can easilyachieve a class B rating.The classification for rigid urethane insulation ‘asplaced on the market’ varies between B and F,depending on the choice of formulation and thefacing. With facings like plasterboard or steel, aclass B is easily achieved for the product ‘as placedon the market’. With less protective facing materials,the classification of the product ‘as placed on themarket’ generally ranges between C and F.EUROCLASSIFICATIONAND MINERAL FIBREIt should be noted that contrary to material circulatedby the mineral fibre industry, not all mineral fibreproducts will achieve an A1 classification.Faced mineral fibre products may only achieve an A2or B classification. Higher density mineral fibreproducts may only achieve a B, the same as somerigid phenolic insulation products.‘In application’, depending on the construction,mineral fibre can easily achieve a class B rating andpossibly an A2 rating.In a flat roof application, insulation is not exposed to the inside of a building, it is normally installed behind a concrete, steel of timber deck.Shown here: Kingspan Purlcrete Chevron zero ODP over a concrete deck.7

The Mineral Fibre Industry’s Claims… and the Facts –The Mineral Fibre Industry makes a number of specific claims and allegations which Kingspan Insulation believesare inaccurate and can be directly countered with the facts:Mineral FibreIndustry’sClaimTHE EUROCLASSSYSTEM &CE MARKING‘Euroclass system is part ofthe CE Marking initiative’Fact: MisleadingThe Euroclass system is part of the new Harmonised European ProductStandards introduced as part of the Construction Products Directive.CE Marking is purely a badge of compliance with the relevant newStandard. CE Marking, the new Harmonised European Product Standardsand the Construction Products Directive should not be confused.In a solid masonry wall application, insulation is not exposed to the inside of a building, it is normallyinstalled behind plasterboard.Shown here: Kingspan Thermawall TW52 zero ODP lining a medium density block wall. KingspanThermawall TW52 zero ODP has an integral plasterboard layer, which is placed to the inside of the building.8Mineral FibreIndustry’sClaimGEOGRAPHICALLIMITS OF THEEUROCLASSSYSTEM‘… Euroclass categories willneed to be shown on the CEMark label of products beingsold across the EU, or onthose imported for use by EUconsumers’Fact: UntrueThis may be the case for most of the EU, but is certainly not the case forthe UK, Ireland, Finland and Sweden, in which CE Marking is notmandatory.Whilst it is true that most EU countries will require the Euroclass system forproducts ‘put on their markets’, from the date on which they becomelegally obliged to adopt CE marking and the new Product Standards(May 13, 2003), this is not the case for the UK. In the UK, CE marking isoptional for products ‘put on its markets’ and although the new ProductStandards have been voluntarily adopted as of March 1, 2003, theGovernment has stated that it will not implement the new Euroclass systemuntil the industry is ready to adopt it.

New European Fire Classification SystemMineral FibreIndustry’sClaimGEOGRAPHICALLIMITS OF THEEUROCLASSSYSTEM‘Specifiers will be required touse the new Euroclasses indesign specification, to enabletenders to be submitted fromall over the EU’Fact: UntrueIt is well understood that products manufactured in the UK, but ‘put on themarket’ in a country in which CE marking is mandatory, will have to beara Euroclass. It is, however, very unclear what the position is with regardsto products manufactured in a CE Marking country but ‘put on the market’in the UK. However, because insulation is almost always sourced locallyto a project it is unlikely that, for instance, insulation manufactured in aCE Marking country would be used in the UK. Therefore the Euroclasssystem will not impact on tendering and specifiers will most certainly notbe required to do as suggested.Mineral FibreIndustry’sClaimTIMING OF THEEUROCLASSSYSTEM‘Scotland has alreadychanged the TechnicalStandards with effect fromMarch 2002, while changesin England and Walesbecome effective from 1March 2003. Until then, theold and new systems willcoexist, as we familiariseourselves… and as producermanufacturers complete theprocedures for providing fireperformance data…’ &‘Class O, class 1… will besuperseded by ‘Euroclasses’on 1st March 2003’Fact: UntrueDuring 2003, Approved Document B in England & Wales introducedEuroclasses alongside the existing classification scheme. Similarly in 2002in Scotland. (At the same time the Technical Standards in Scotlandchanged the nomenclature of the existing Class O system. Class O nowequates to ‘Low Risk’, Class 1 to ‘Medium Risk’ etc.) The Euroclass systemdid not replace the existing system on these dates. These are the datesthat co–existence started rather than ended. Following the final adoptionof the new classification scheme, national fire classifications will bephased out of use over a period of five to ten years. It is likely, therefore,that some manufacturers, particularly those who will benefit from the quirksof the new test regime will start to use Euroclasses on a voluntary basis asof March 1, 2003, when the new Harmonised European ProductStandards were voluntarily adopted. Others will not do so, and may be ina position to wait until 2010 and beyond so to do.9

The Mineral Fibre Industry’s Claims… and the Facts –The Mineral Fibre Industry makes a number of specific claims and allegations which Kingspan Insulation believesare inaccurate and can be directly countered with the facts:Mineral FibreIndustry’sClaimFIRE GROWTH‘Reaction to Fire tests tell ushow a product will becomeinvolved in the growth of firein the room of origin, up tothe time when flashoveroccurs, or does not occur’Fact: Misleading‘Reaction to fire’ tests can give an indication of how a product couldbecome involved in the growth of a fire in a room, but for wall andceiling linings only, and the quick burn–off of facing materials may pushotherwise virtually non–combustible products into a misleadingclassification. Insulation products are rarely exposed on walls and ceilingsand so it is on little or no significance for insulation products unless used insuch an application.In a timber frame wall application, insulation is not exposed to the inside of a building, it is normallyinstalled behind plasterboard.Shown here: Kingspan Thermawall TW55 zero ODP being installed between studs prior to the fixing ofplasterboard to the inside of the studs.Mineral FibreIndustry’sClaimTESTING INAPPLICATION‘single burning item (SBI) test… requires products to betested in end use application’Fact: At Last SomethingThat Is TrueWhilst true, the mineral fibre industry should take some notice of what theysay. Insulation products are rarely used as wall or ceiling lining productsand so the SBI test and therefore the Euroclassification system for ‘Reactionto Fire’ is irrelevant for most insulation products ‘naked’ or ‘as placed on themarket’. It is only relevant for products ‘tested in application’. Therefore theEuroclass shown on CE Marking labels, for those manufacturers who use a‘naked’ rating only, can effectively be ignored.10

New European Fire Classification SystemMineral FibreIndustry’sClaimFLASHOVER &HEAT RELEASE‘It is referenced to the criticalmoment when ‘Flashover ’occurs and the potential rateof release of heat from eachconstruction product’Fact: MisleadingThe current classification method using SBI is unduly swayed by earlyburn–off of surface materials and therefore does not give a reliableindication of the possibility of flashover in a fire situation.The small scale SBI test was adopted as the practical test to use inclassifying the ‘reaction to fire’ of insulation products on the basis of acorrelation with the large scale ‘reference scenario’ test. This correlation isvalid for most unfaced products, but the fact that the performance of mostfaced products in the SBI test does not correlate with performance in the‘reference scenario’ test was to all intents and purposes ignored.Mineral FibreIndustry’sClaimFLASHOVERPROMOTIONCan itConstruction promoteProductflashover?Rockwool insulation NoPhenolic foam YesPolystyrene foam YesPolyurethane foam YesPolyisocyanurate foam YesFact: UntrueIn fact phenolic foam and polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam do not promoteflashover.In a floor application, insulation is not exposed to the inside of a building, it is normally installed behindconcrete, screed or timber.Shown here: Kingspan Thermafloor TF70 zero ODP being installed between battens under a solidtimber floor.11

The Mineral Fibre Industry’s Claims… and the Facts –The Mineral Fibre Industry makes a number of specific claims and allegations which Kingspan Insulation believesare inaccurate and can be directly countered with the facts:Mineral FibreIndustry’sClaimTENDENCY TOBURN‘test methodology…measures the tendency forconstruction products to burn’Fact: MisleadingFor products with facings this statement is misleading. The test is skewedtowards tendency of the facing material to burn. The facing material willnormally contribute very little to the fire load of the complete product.Mineral FibreIndustry’sClaimRISK &DIFFERENTIATIONBY FLASHOVER‘The Euroclass system providesadditional information to aid… risk assessment… theEuroclass differentiationbetween products thatcontribute to flashover andthose that do not is mosthelpful’and‘Euroclass A1, A2 and Bproducts are much safer infire than Euroclass C, D and Eproducts’ and ‘Products withno ‘Flashover’ potential areinherently safer than thosewith a risk of ‘Flashover’Fact: UntrueIt is known that the Euroclassification system ratings are skewed by anyfacing that appears on a product and that these facings will have minimalcontribution to fire load.Therefore, as a safety or risk assessment aid, the system is very limited.It is also known that the system is useful for products that line ceilings andwalls of rooms, but for little else, whereas insulation products are rarelyexposed on walls and ceilings.12In a masonry cavity wall application, insulation is not exposed to the inside of a building, it is normallyinstalled behind blockwork.Shown here: Kingspan Thermawall TW50 zero ODP being installed in the wall cavity formed between adense block inner leaf and a brick outer leaf. The inside of the blockwork is also normally lined withplaster or plasterboard.

New European Fire Classification SystemMineral FibreIndustry’sClaimDISCRIMINATION‘Some small scale Reaction toFire test in the past havefailed to differentiate betweenmaterials, giving unrealisticresults tending to favourcombustible materials withsimple coverings’Fact: Sour GrapesThis is just a little bit rich as the Euroclass system does exactly the oppositeand unfairly discriminates against products with simple coverings whichhave, for years, achieved a Class O rating.The current UK system for fire rating of products has worked well in thepast and has not in any way created a risk buried in buildings. Class Ohas been an important benchmark for many years and one that is difficultto achieve. Only a very limited number of cellular plastic materials achieveClass O and they have markedly better fire performance than most othercellular plastic materials. The new system effectively is sub–dividing ClassO into finer classifications purely to give the mineral fibre industry someform of differentiation.NB In 2002 Class O was replaced by the nomenclature ‘Low Risk’in Scotland.In a flat roof application, insulation is not exposed to the inside of a building, it is normally installedbehind a concrete, steel of timber deck.Shown here: Kingspan Thermaroof TR26 zero ODP over a steel deck.Mineral FibreIndustry’sClaimFact: UnprovenThe new Euroclass system for ‘Reaction to Fire’ also appears ill equippedto differentiate between contemporary fire hazards.FIRE HAZARDDIFFERENTIATION‘the UK’s outmoded ClassO/Class 1 system… isunable to differentiate manycontemporary fire hazards’13

The Mineral Fibre Industry’s Claims… and the Facts –The Mineral Fibre Industry makes a number of specific claims and allegations which Kingspan Insulation believesare inaccurate and can be directly countered with the facts:Mineral FibreIndustry’sClaimSMOKE‘For example, some modernconstruction products such asthose containing plasticmaterials can, under fireconditions, introduce noxiousclouds of smoke to theatmosphere, causing not justlocal neighbourhoodpollution but often affectingsurrounding communitiesmany miles away’Fact: MisleadingNot all materials containing plastics behave in the same way. There is aVERY wide spectrum of performance. This claim implies that allconstruction materials containing plastics produce noxious clouds ofsmoke. This is simply untrue.Secondly, for many buildings the total fire load in that building is usuallydominated by the materials used in furnishing it, i.e. the cellular plastics inchairs and seats, the natural and synthetic components in furniture, carpetsand computers etc.It may be the case that any cellular plastic insulation in a building is neverinvolved in a fire, but that the furnishings produce a significant volume ofsmoke.ire, but that the furnishings prodMineral FibreIndustry’sClaimSMOKE & ESCAPE‘Class E products are likely tobe extremely volatile in fire,to produce copious amountsof smoke, to limit escape andto overwhelm any occupantsbefore they can escape’Fact: UntrueIn most fire situations, it is products that line rooms or within rooms,e.g. furniture or other contents, that react first to the fire and it is thesematerials that have the most important contribution to smoke productionand escape limitation. In most buildings, the production of smoke in a fireis dominated by that produced by furniture and linings. By the time anyfire gets to the insulation in a cavity wall or a roof, the occupants of thebuilding would have either escaped or be overcome with smoke createdby burning furnishings. As insulation is rarely exposed in a room, will haveno impact of the ability of occupants to escape from a fire.It is also not necessarily the case that all Class E products will behavein this way. Smoke generation behaviour is represented by thesub–classification s1 to s3. s3 being worst, s1 best. It is just as possiblefor an A2 rated product to be also rated as s3, as it is for an E ratedproduct or for that matter any other between A2 and E. The A to F is nota rating related to smoke emissions.To date, the Class O/Low Risk rating has been used as the de factobenchmark for construction products exposed in rooms, as a means ofcomplying with fire safety requirements. This system has been shown towork exceeding well of many years. Because of this, there is no real needto introduce the Euroclass system other than to create specious andunnecessary differentiation between products that have a current Class O/Low Risk rating, to the benefit of the mineral fibre industry.14

New European Fire Classification SystemMineral FibreIndustry’sClaimRATING CLAIMS‘Under the new “Euroclasses”for fire, all of… Insulation’smineral wool productsachieve “A1”’ºFact: UntrueSubstantively untrue as other literature from the same manufacturer statesthat ‘All… Insulation mineral wool products achieve A1 – the highestperformance possible (faced products will be A2)’. Is this just carelesswriting? You judge.Mineral FibreIndustry’sClaimRATING CLAIMS‘cellular plastic foams mayfare significantly worse thanpreviously – achieving only Cor D’Fact: SelectiveIt is true that some cellular plastics will achieve C or D, but for that matter,some will achieve a B and at the other end of the scale, some will onlyachieve an F.In a pitched roof application, insulation is not exposed to the inside of a building, it is normally installedbehind plasterboard.Shown here: Kingspan Thermapitch TP10 zero ODP between rafters with Kingspan Thermawall TW56zero ODP under rafters. Kingspan Thermawall TW56 zero ODP has an integral plasterboard layer, whichis placed to the inside of the building.15

CUSTOMER SERVICEFor quotations, order placement and details of despatchesplease contact our Building Fabric Insulation CustomerServices Department on the numbers below:UK – Telephone: +44 (0) 870 850 8555– Fax: +44 (0) 870 850 8666– email: commercial.uk@insulation.kingspan.comIreland – Telephone: +353 (0) 42 97 95000– Fax: +353 (0) 42 97 46129– email: commercial.ie@insulation.kingspan.comTECHNICAL ADVICEKingspan Insulation Ltd support all of their products with acomprehensive Technical Advisory Service for specifiers,stockists and contractors.This includes a free computer–aided service designed togive fast, accurate technical advice. Simply phone ourwith your project specification and we canrun calculations to provide U–values, condensation/dewpoint risk, required insulation thicknesses etc… Thereafter wecan run any number of permutations to help you achieveyour desired targets.We can also give general application advice and advice ondesign detailing and fixing etc... Site surveys are alsoundertaken as appropriate.Please contact our Building Fabric Insulation TechnicalServices Department on thenumbers below:LITERATURE AND SAMPLESKingspan Insulation produces a comprehensive range oftechnical literature for specifiers, contractors, stockists andend users. The literature contains clear ‘user friendly’ adviceon typical design; design considerations; thermal properties;sitework and product data.Available as a complete Design Manual or as individualproduct brochures, Kingspan Insulation technical literature isan essential specification tool. For copies please contact ourMarketing Department on the numbers below:UK – Telephone: +44 (0) 1544 387 210– Fax: +44 (0) 1544 387 299– email: literature.uk@insulation.kingspan.comIreland – Telephone: +353 (0) 42 97 95038– Fax: +353 (0) 42 97 46129– email: literature.ie@insulation.kingspan.comGENERAL ENQUIRIESFor all other enquiries contact Kingspan Insulation on thenumbers below:UK – Telephone: +44 (0) 870 850 8555– Fax: +44 (0) 870 850 8666– email: info.uk@insulation.kingspan.comIreland – Telephone: +353 (0) 42 97 95000– Fax: +353 (0) 42 97 46129– email: info.ie@insulation.kingspan.comUK: – Telephone: +44 (0) 870 850 8555– Fax: +44 (0) 1544 387 278– email: techline.uk@insulation.kingspan.comIreland: – Telephone: +353 (0) 42 97 95032– Fax: +353 (0) 42 97 46129– email: techline.ie@insulation.kingspan.comKingspan Insulation reserve the right to amend product specificationswithout prior notice. Product thicknesses shown in this documentshould not be taken as being available ex–stock and referenceshould be made to the current Kingspan Insulation price–list or advicesought from Kingspan Insulation Sales department. The information,technical details and fixing instructions etc. included in this literatureare given in good faith and apply to uses described.Recommendations for use should be verified as to the suitability andcompliance with actual requirements, specifications and anyapplicable laws and regulations. For other applications or conditionsof use, Kingspan Insulation offers a free Technical Advisory Service(see left) whose advice should be sought for uses of KingspanInsulation products that are not specifically described herein. Pleasecheck that your copy of the literature is current by contacting ourMarketing Department (see above).INSULATIONKingspan InsulationPembridge, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 9LA, UKCastleblayney, County Monaghan, Irelandwww.insulation.kingspan.com® Kingspan, Kooltherm and the Lion Device are Registered Trademarks of the Kingspan Group plc