EN 13501 Fire Classification of Building Materials and Building Elements

The EN 13501 standard, which is a European standard, consists of the following subsections under the main title of "Fire classification of building products and building elements":

• EN 13501-1 Part 1: Classification using data from reaction to fire tests
• EN 13501-2 Part 2: Classification using data from fire resistance tests, excluding ventilation services
• EN 13501-3 Part 3: Classification using data from fire resistance tests on products and components used in building service installations and electrical wiring
• EN 13501-4 Part 4: Classification using data from fire resistance tests on components of smoke control systems
• EN 13501-5 Part 5: Classification using external fire exposure data for roof tests
• EN 13501-6 Part 6: Classification using data from reaction to fire tests on electrical cables

In the EN 13501-1 standard, the reaction to fire classification procedure is explained for all building products, including the products included in the building elements, except for power, control and communication cables within the scope of the sixth chapter. According to this standard, products are evaluated according to their end-use applications. This standard applies to the following three categories:

• Construction products, excluding floors and linear pipe thermal insulation products
• Slabs
• Linear pipe thermal insulation products

Within the scope of the building materials regulation numbered EC 305/2011, which is in force in the European Union countries, for CE marking of building products, new product development option is used in cases where fire reaction performance will not be declared.

The EN 13501-2 standard describes a procedure for the classification of building materials and structural elements using data obtained from fire resistance and smoke leakage tests within the direct area of ​​application of the relevant test method. Classification based on the extended application of test results is also covered by this standard.

This standard covers:

• Load-bearing elements without fire separation function (walls, floors, roofs, beams, columns, balconies, walkways, stairs)
• Load-bearing elements, services and fixtures (walls, floors, roofs, raised floors) with or without glass fire separation function
• Products and systems for protecting elements or parts of structures (ceilings without independent fire resistance, fire protection coatings, coatings and screens)
• Glass or non-glass, non-load-bearing elements or parts of works, services and fixtures (partitions, curtain walls and exterior walls, freestanding fire-rated ceilings, raised floor fire doors and shutters and their closing devices, smoke control doors, conveyor systems and covers, penetration seals , linear gap seals, service channels and shafts, chimneys)
• Wall and ceiling coverings with fire protection
• Elevator landing doors tested according to EN 81-58 standard

The EN 13501-3 standard describes a procedure for classifying the fire resistance performance of building materials and structural elements used as components of building service installations, using data from fire resistance tests within the direct scope of application of the relevant test method.

Products and components used in ventilation systems include the following:

• fire resistant ducts
• Fire dampers.

The products and elements used in cable systems are as follows:

• Intrinsically fire resistant cables / unshielded cables
• Fire protection systems for cable systems
• Supporting / suspending devices
• Related components (connectors, glands, connections and the like)

The EN 13501-4 standard describes a procedure for classifying the components of smoke control systems using data from fire resistance tests within the scope of application of the relevant test methods. Classification based on the extended application of test results is also covered by this standard.

The products covered by this standard are:

• smoke control channels
• smoke control dampers
• smoke barriers
• Electric smoke and heat exhaust fans (fans) including connectors
• Natural smoke and heat exhaust fans

The EN 13501-5 standard describes fire performance classification procedures for roofs and roof coverings exposed to external fire, based on the four test methods given in the CEN/TS 1187 standard and related extended codes of practice. For the classification of a roof and roof covering, only the test methods and application rules for which the relevant classification is prescribed must be applied. Products are evaluated according to their end-use applications. The distinction between steeply pitched roofs and facades may be subject to national regulations as to the standard of testing and classification to be applied.

The EN 13501-6 standard describes the reaction-to-fire classification procedure for electrical cables. For the purposes of this standard, the term electrical cables includes all power, control and communication cables, including fiber optic cables.

Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides test services for fire classification of building materials and building elements, within the scope of EN 13501 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.