2000/147/EC: Commission Decision of 8 February 2000 implementing Council Directive 89/106/EEC as regards the classification of the reaction to fire performance of construction products (notified under document number C(2000) 133) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2000-02-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: building materials, classification, fire protection, product safety, technical specification

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II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COMMISSION

COMMISSION DECISION

of 8 February 2000

implementing Council Directive 89/106/EEC as regards the classification of the reaction to fire
performance of construction products

(notified under document number C(2000) 133)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2000/147/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(4)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21
December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and
the Member States relating to
administrative provisions of
construction products (1),
amended by Directive 93/
as
68/EEC (2), and in particular Articles 3, 6 and 20 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Article 3(2) and (3) of Directive 89/106/EEC state that in
order to take account of different levels of protection for
the construction works that may prevail at national,
regional or local levels, each essential requirement may
give rise to the establishment of classes in the interpreta-
tive documents. These documents have been published
as the ‘Communication of the Commission with regard
to the interpretative documents of Council Directive 89/
106/EEC (3)’.

Paragraph 4.2.1 of interpretative document No 2 justi-
fies the need for different levels of the essential require-
ment as function of the type, use and location of the
construction work, its layout and the availability of the
emergency facilities.

Paragraph 2.2 of interpretative document No 2 lists a
number of interrelated measures for the satisfaction of
the essential requirement,
‘Safety in case of fire’ that
together contribute to define the fire safety strategy that
can be developed in different ways in Member States.

(1) OJ L 40, 11.2.1989, p. 12.
(2) OJ L 220, 30.8.1993, p. 1.
(3) OJ C 62, 28.2.1994, p. 1.

Paragraph 4.2.3.3 of interpretative document No 2 iden-
tifies one of these measures prevailing in Member States
that consists in the limitation of the generation and
spread of fire and smoke within the room of origin (or
in a given area) by limiting the contribution of construc-
tion products to the full development of a fire.

The definition of classes of the essential requirement
partially depends on the level of such a limitation.

The level of this limitation may be expressed only by
different levels of reaction to fire performance of the
products in their end-use application.

Paragraph 4.3.1.1 of the interpretative document No 2
specifies that to enable the reaction to fire performance
of products to be evaluated, a harmonised solution will
be developed which may utilise full or bench scale tests
that are correlated to relevant real fire scenarios.

The harmonised solution lies in a system of classes that
are not included in the interpretative document.

The system of classes identified for this purpose refers to
a number of test methods already known to the Euro-
pean standardisation bodies.

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

Commission Decision 94/611/EC of 9 September 1994
on the application of Article 20 of Directive 89/106/EEC
relating to construction products (4), which describes the
system of classes, does not indicate the thresholds of
classes B, C and D, as the single burning item test was
not sufficiently well developed at that time.

(4) OJ L 241, 16.9.1994, p. 25.

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(11)

The relevant data are now available and Decision 94/
611/EC should therefore be replaced by a new decision
which includes the thresholds of the classes and some
adaptations
test
procedures should be fully described in a future Euro-
pean standard, or Commission decision, on the basis of
an agreement between the Commission and the Member
States, in consultation with CEN/CENELEC and EOTA.

to technical progress. Alternative

Products shall be considered in relation to their end-use

2.
application.

If the classification based on the standardised tests and criteria
listed in Tables 1 and 2 of the Annex is not appropriate, one or
more reference scenarios (representative scale test(s) typifying
agreed hazard scenario(s)) may be called on, within the context
of a procedure providing for alternative tests.

(12)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in
accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee
on Construction,

Decision 94/611/EC is hereby repealed.

Article 2

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1. When the end-use application of a construction product
is such that it may contribute to the generation and spread of
fire and smoke within the room (or area) of origin or beyond,
the product shall be classified on the basis of its reaction to fire
performance, having regard to the classification system set out
in Tables 1 and 2 of the Annex.

References to the repealed Decision shall be construed as refer-
ences to this Decision.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Article 3

Done at Brussels, 8 February 2000.

For the Commission

Erkki LIIKANEN

Member of the Commission

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Symbols (1)

ANNEX

temperature rise

mass loss

duration of flaming

gross calorific potential

fire growth rate

total heat release

lateral flame spread

∆T

∆m

t

f

PCS

FIGRA

THR

600s

LFS

SMOGRA

smoke growth rate

TSP600s

Fs

total smoke production

flame spread

Definitions

‘Material’: a single basic substance or uniformly dispersed mixture of substances, for example metal, stone, timber,
concrete, mineral wool with uniformly dispersed binder, polymers.

‘Homogeneous product’: a product consisting of a single material, having uniform density and composition throughout
the product.

‘Non-homogeneous product’: a product that does not satisfy the requirements of a homogeneous product. It is a product
composed of one or more components, substantial and/or non-substantial.

‘Substantial component’: a material that constitutes a significant part of a non-homogeneous product. A layer with a mass
per unit area ≥ 1,0 kg/m2 or a thickness ≥ 1,0 mm is considered to be a substantial component.

‘Non-substantial component’: a material that does not constitute a significant part of a non-homogeneous product. A layer
with a mass per unit area < 1,0 kg/m2 and a thickness < 1,0 mm is considered to be a non-substantial component.

Two or more non-substantial layers that are adjacent to each other (i.e. with no substantial component(s) in-between the
layers) are regarded as one non-substantial component and, therefore, must altogether comply with the requirements for a
layer being a non-substantial component.

For non-substantial components, distinction is made between internal non-substantial components and external non-
substantial components, as follows.

‘Internal non-substantial component’: a non-substantial component that is covered on both sides by at least one
substantial component.

‘External non-substantial component’: a non-substantial component that is not covered on one side by a substantial
component.

Table 1

CLASSES OF REACTION TO FIRE PERFORMANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS EXCLUDING FLOORINGS (*)

Class

A1

Test method(s)

Classification criteria

Additional classification

EN ISO 1182 (1)
and

EN ISO 1716

∆T ≤ 30 °C; and
∆m ≤ 50 %; and
t

f

= 0 (i.e. no sustained flaming)

PCS ≤ 2,0 MJ.kg–1 (1) and
PCS ≤ 2,0 MJ.kg–1 (2) (2a) and
PCS ≤ 1,4 MJ.m–2 (3) and
PCS ≤ 2,0 MJ.kg–1 (4)

—

—

(1) The characteristics are defined with respect to the appropriate test method.

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Class

A2

B

C

D

E

F

Test method(s)

Classification criteria

Additional classification

EN ISO 1182 (1)
or

EN ISO 1716
and

∆T ≤ 50 °C and
∆m ≤ 50 % and
t

≤ 20s

f

PCS ≤ 3,0 MJ.kg–1 (1) and
PCS ≤ 4,0 MJ.m–2 (2) and
PCS ≤ 4,0 MJ.m–2 (3) and
PCS ≤ 3,0 MJ.kg–1 (4)

—

—

EN 13823 (SBI)

FIGRA ≤ 120 W.s–1 and
LFS < edge of specimen and
THR

600s ≤ 7,5 MJ

Smoke production (5), and flaming
droplets/particles (6)

EN 13823 (SBI)
and

FIGRA ≤ 120 W.s–1 and
LFS < edge of specimen and
THR

600s ≤ 7,5 MJ

Smoke production (5), and flaming
droplets/particles (6)

EN ISO 11925-2 (8)
Exposure = 30s

Fs ≤ 150 mm within 60s

EN 13823 (SBI)
and

FIGRA ≤ 250 W.s–1 and
LFS < edge of specimen and
THR

600s ≤ 15 MJ

Smoke production (5), and flaming
droplets/particles (6)

EN ISO 11925-2 (8):
Exposure = 30s

Fs ≤ 150 mm within 60s

EN 13823 (SBI)
and

FIGRA ≤ 750 W.s–1

Smoke production (5), and flaming
droplets/particles (6)

EN ISO 11925-2 (8):
Exposure = 30s

Fs ≤ 150 mm within 60s

EN ISO 11925-2 (8)
Exposure = 15s

Fs ≤ 150 mm within 20s

Flaming droplets/particles (7)

No performance determined

(*) The treatment of some families of products, e.g. linear products (pipes, ducts, cables, etc.), is still under review and may necessitate an

amendment to this decision.

(1) For homogeneous products and substantial components of non-homogeneous products.

(2) For any external non-substantial component of non-homogeneous products.

(2a) Alternatively, any external non-substantial component having a PCS ≤ 2,0 MJ.m–2, provided that the product satisfies the following

criteria of EN 13823 (SBI): FIGRA ≤ 20 W.s–1; and LFS < edge of specimen, and THR

600

≤ 4,0 MJ and s1 and d0.

(3) For any internal non-substantial component of non-homogeneous products.

(4) For the product as a whole.

(5)

s1 = SMOGRA ≤ 30m2.s–2 and STP600s ≤ 50m2; s2 = SMOGRA ≤ 180m2.s–2 and TSP600s ≤ 200m2; s3 = not

s1 or s2.

(6) d0 = No flaming droplets/particles in EN 13823 (SBI) within 600s; d1 = no flaming droplets/particles persisting longer than 10s in EN

13823 (SBI) within 600s; d2 = not d0 not d1;

ignition of the paper in EN ISO 11925-2 results in a d2 classification.

(7) Pass = no ignition of the paper (no classification); fail = ignition of the paper (d2 classification).

(8) Under conditions of surface flame attack and,

if appropriate to the end-use application of the product, edge flame attack.

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Table 2

CLASSSES OF REACTION TO FIRE PERFORMANCE FOR FLOORINGS

Test method(s)

Classification criteria

Additional classification

Class

A1

FL

EN ISO 1182 (1)
and

EN ISO 1716

A2

FL

EN ISO 1182 (1)
or

∆T ≤ 30 °C and
∆m ≤ 50 % and
t

f

= 0 (i.e. no sustained flaming)

PCS ≤ 2,0 MJ.kg–1 (1) and
PCS ≤ 2,0 MJ.kg–1 (2) and
PCS ≤ 1,4 MJ.m–2 (3) and
PCS ≤ 2,0 MJ.kg–1 (4)

∆T ≤ 50 °C and
∆m ≤ 50 % and
t

≤ 20s

f

EN ISO 1716
and

PCS ≤ 3,0 MJ.kg–1 (1) and
PCS ≤ 4,0 MJ.m–2 (2) and
PCS ≤ 4,0 MJ.m–2 (3) and
PCS ≤ 3,0 MJ.kg–1 (4)

—

—

—

—

EN ISO 9239-1 (5)

Critical flux (6) ≥ 8,0 kW.m–2

Smoke production (7)

EN ISO 9239-1 (5)
and

Critical flux (6) ≥ 8,0 kW.m–2

Smoke production (7)

EN ISO 11925-2 (8)
Exposure = 15s

FS ≤ 150 mm within 20s

EN ISO 9239-1 (5)
and

Critical flux (6) ≥ 4,5 kW.m–2

Smoke production (7)

EN ISO 11925-2 (8)
Exposure = 15s

Fs ≤ 150 mm within 20s

EN ISO 9239-1 (5)
and

EN ISO 11925-2 (8)
Exposure = 15s

EN ISO 11925-2 (8)
Exposure = 15s

Critical flux (6) ≥ 3,0 kW.m–2

Smoke production (7)

Fs ≤ 150 mm within 20s

Fs ≤ 150 mm within 20s

No performance determined

BFL

CFL

D

FL

E

FL

F
FL

(1) For homogeneous products and substantial components of non-homogeneous products.
(2) For any external non-substantial component of non-homogeneous products.
(3) For any internal non-substantial component of non-homogeneous products.
(4) For the product as a whole.
(5) Test duration = 30 minutes.
(6) Critical flux is defined as the radiant flux at which the flame extinguishes or the radiant flux after a test period of 30 minutes, whichever

is the lower (i.e. the flux corresponding with the furthest extent of spread of flame).

(7) s1 = Smoke ≤ 750 %.min; s2 = not s1.
(8) Under conditions of surface flame attack and,

if appropriate to the end-use application of the product, edge flame attack.