The
EPIC fire tests
Europe's most comprehensive fire test research results
The EPIC fire research programme tested panels designed for external
use in roof and wall applications. The test method used was the LPS
1181 large room test and was authenticated by independent bodies and
conducted strictly in accordance with established standards.
Rigid urethane panels manufactured by EPIC members
are designed to the highest factory engineered standards. They are designed
for use
with
secure fixings and engineered joints for maximum fire protection and
security. 90% of all external roof and wall panels used on modern commercial
and industrial buildings use rigid urethane – the most thermally efficient
insulation. These panels have performed well for over 30 years and
have given little or no cause for concern.
Why test?
Specifiers, building professionals, insurers and the fire services need to
be aware of the facts in order to be confident that a panel system will perform
satisfactorily and meet the required safety criteria.
How were the EPIC tests carried
out?
The EPIC tests assessed panels as they are installed in practice using the
LPS 1181 test method. Fire performance depends on the method of installation;
security of fixing; joint detail and joint design. Any test that does not test
panels as they are installed in practice should be disregarded.
The EPIC test
programme also tested other cladding panels with MW and PS cores and site
assembled systems with glass wool insulation.
The test results show clearly how a urethane cored
external panel is likely to perform in fire – no collapse; low contribution
to a fire in the developing stages; and the beneficial effect of tight
fire engineered joints. Both PUR and PIR urethanes were tested.
For details
of the results see “Performance of
external cladding systems in fire” and EPIC Fire CD-ROM.
| Tests confirm why PIR
insulated panels have a good fire record |
 |
Panels satisfy all the current
required Building Regulations – BS476 Pts. 6,7,8 and
22 |
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|
PIR panels satisfy the additional
requirements and test standards of the Insurance industry – Loss
Prevention Council and Factory Mutual |
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The panels for external cladding are firmly
secured to the structural frame of the building – there
is no collapse |
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Panel joints are fully engineered to provide
excellent weather and airtightness and also to protect the
core material in the event of fire – panel joints do
not open and expose the core. |
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Steel facings fully protect the core. Any
contribution eg. smoke / gasses is relatively low during the
developing stages of a fire and remains so unless the fire
becomes fully developed |
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|
PIR panels do not add to the severity
of the fire. There is no instant release of the heat load nor
rapid flashover. There is no hidden flaming or fire spread
within the core of the panel |
|
Observations on fire testing and other tests
Guidelines for assessing fire tests for external
cladding systems accurately
1. The type of test should be clear. Tests
are designed to illustrate either Reaction to Fire or Fire Resistance.
2. The test method should assess panels in end use application i.e. fixed as
in practice to supporting steelwork. Fire performance depends on the method
of installation; security of fixing; joint detail and joint design. Any test
that does not test panels as they are installed in practice should be disregarded.
3. The panel product tested should be designed for external cladding use. An
'internal' panel is not indicative of external panel performance.
4. Large scale tests are more indicative of fire performance than small scale
tests. Panels for test should be taken from a standard production run.
5. Panels of unknown origin negate the test results.
The truth behind some recent fire tests
The EPIC test programme is the only fire research
to date that has tested panels designed for external roof and wall
application where they are fixed as in practice to structural steel.
For details of the results see “Performance
of external cladding systems in fire” and EPIC Fire CD-ROM.
Some recent fire performance tests have not been
carried out in accordance with the above guidelines and have resulted
in misleading information being issued.
Eurisol Test
These tests were carried out based on a modification
of the proposed ISO 13784 Pt 2 with increased burner output and dimension.
Both PIR and PUR panels were tested. The official
test report states the PIR panel, frame fixed, performed virtually
as well as the rockfibre cored panel. (There is no mention of this
fact in the Eurisol promotional release).
The results for the standard urethane panel should
be totally disregarded as being representative of external roof and
wall panels.
| The reasons
are as follows: |
| • |
The panel was of a design used
for internal partition use only |
| • |
The joint system was a simple T&G and not a typical
external engineered joint |
| • |
The panels were free standing and
loosely fixed. This led to a false premature collapse |
| • |
The core material was of unknown formulation.
It was a bonded panel and not a standard external panel made on a
continuous laminator. |
Note: The summary test report states
that "The results only relate to the specific tests performed on
the structure as constructed and cannot be considered as representative
of generic sandwich panel type fire performance".
Leipzig Tests
Some early videos show panels being tested to the now discarded ISO 13784 draft
proposal. In these tests the panels were also a free standing loose assembly
not fixed to a frame and therefore not following site practice. The panels
provided for the tests were of internal panel design and were not standard
external panels to a fully engineered design.
Both the Eurisol and the Leipzig tests should
be disregarded as an indicator of performance of typical external sandwich
panels.
What tests assess panels as they are installed in practice
and on a real scale?
The following Fire tests are designed to assess the Reaction to Fire Performance
i.e. the developing stage of a fire. (They are not Fire Resistance tests that
assess penetration and insulation at the fully developed fire stage.)
1. LPC Test - LPS1181 (The EPIC
Tests)
Large scale. Panels fixed as in practice and on a real scale. Significant heat
source that challenges the joints. Temperature >1000°C. Assesses security
of fixing; fire penetration; contribution of core material; effect of radiation;
flaming, smoke and flashover; surface spread of flame.
2. FM Test - FM4880
Similar in concept to the LPS test. Based on 25ft corner test and small room
scale test.
3. ISO 9705
Small room scale: Designed to test internal linings of walls. Panels cannot
be installed as in practice. Not relevant as a test for external panels.
4. ISODIS 13784 Pt1
Small room scale. Variation on ISO9705. Panels can be free standing or fixed
to a frame. Still to be proven
5. ISODIS 13784 Pt2
Large room scale: Similar in many respects to LPS 1181 test, real scale. Panels
can be fixed as in practice. Still to be proven.
Back to top.
Also in this section:
Fire performance
of insulated panels | Guide
to fire safety |
Findings
of fire research on major fires | Fire
research – case histories |
