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More than 20 different national test standards relating to fire resistance used to be carried out to floor coverings to enable them to be sold to countries that now make up the European Economic Area (EEA).

Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC)

With the implementation of the Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC) in the floor coverings sector, the new ‘Euro-standard’ test and classification system is being put into practice across Europe, superseding national standards. This requires the product to be assessed against one or more of the test standards specified in EN 13501-1:2002 Fire classification of construction products and building elements. Part 1: Classification using test data from reaction to fire tests. This classification is then used to inform customers of the ‘reaction to fire’ performance. In the case of floor coverings it is also used to CE mark products against the mandatory product specification requirements.

However, it should be noted that although the classification is acceptable throughout Europe and will be recorded on the CE label, it does not mean that a product is suitable for the same applications in different countries. It is a harmonised classification system, not a harmonised fire safety standard. For example, in one country, a material for a hotel lobby may require a product which is at least Class D_fl, whilst in another, a product of at least Class C_fl may be demanded.

EN 13501-1:2002 consists of four European ‘reaction to fire’ test methods that can be applied to floor coverings. One or more of the tests are used to obtain a classification from A1_fl (no contribution to fire) down to F_fl (no performance determined). Table 1 shows the required tests in combination.

For manufacturers of textile, resilient, laminate and hardwood flooring products, EN ISO 11925-2 and EN ISO 9239-1 are the most important test methods called up for classification. Commercial and contract application floor covering products will most probably be tested against the requirements which need to be met to obtain a class B_fl, C_fl or D_fl classification. For domestic products Class E_fl is likely to be sufficient.

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