If you sell reflective insulation or foil-faced materials into Europe, sooner or later a customer will ask for “the EN 13501-1 class”. Here is what the classification means and how to talk to a supplier about it without getting a report that does not apply to your product.
What the standard is
EN 13501-1 is the European standard for classifying the reaction to fire of construction products. It does not test your product on its own; it classifies it based on results from specific test methods, mainly the single burning item test (SBI) and the small-flame test. The result is a class from A1 (non-combustible) down to F (no performance determined).
Reading a class
A full class looks like B-s1,d0. The letter is the main class: A1 and A2 are non-combustible or nearly so, B is very limited contribution to fire, C and D are limited to medium contribution, E is acceptable reaction to a small flame only. The s figure rates smoke production from s1 (little) to s3 (a lot). The d figure rates flaming droplets from d0 (none) to d2 (many). Buyers of ceiling and wall linings usually care about all three.
What foil laminates can reach
Aluminium foil itself does not burn, but the carrier and the core do. A foil-scrim or foil-kraft laminate with a fire-retardant treatment can typically reach class B or C. Foil-bubble and foil-foam products have a polyethylene core; with fire-retardant grades they usually sit in class E to C depending on construction and thickness, and standard grades are often class F. Anyone offering a bubble or foam product as A2 without a mineral core should be asked for the report.
Three questions to ask a supplier
- Which exact construction was tested? The report names a product with a thickness, core and facing. A report for a different thickness or a different facing does not cover yours.
- What was the end-use application in the test? Reaction-to-fire results depend on how the sample was mounted and what was behind it. A class achieved on a non-combustible backing may not apply on timber.
- Is the report current and from an accredited laboratory? Look for the lab’s accreditation number and the test date.
What we can supply
We offer fire-rated grades of our foil-scrim, foil-kraft and reflective insulation laminates, tested to EN 13501-1 for the constructions listed in the report we send with each quotation. Tell us the class your project needs and the assembly it will be installed in, and we will confirm whether an existing report covers it or whether a new test is needed. Ask about a fire-rated grade.