Fire Rated Cladding

Specifying the correct fire rating for your project is of huge importance. Unfortunately, some companies may still make false claims regarding their cladding solutions and others falsify their results to achieve a safer fire rating than their cladding can handle. This is both unwise and dangerous. NeoTimber’s approach is that of transparency. Below, we outline the fire rating standards achieved by our composite cladding products and explain what this may mean for your project.

A fire rating classification is a system that evaluates a product or building element’s resistance to fire. For a product to be used in a construction project that complies with building regulations, it must pass “British Standard” tests regarding fire resistance and protection. Put simply, it is a classification or seal of approval that provides users with a guarantee that the product they choose is fit for purpose, and most importantly, safe for that application.

Fire rating is achieved through a series of product tests and while numerous classification systems exist, the most widely recognised is EN 13501-1: Fire Classification of Construction Products and Building Elements. This classification is a test procedure that examines the burning behaviour of a given building product, with focuses mainly on the product’s combustibility, heat levels, flame spread and smoke release. The BS EN 13501-1 rating system includes 7 tiers of classification, ranging from A1, which signifies the highest-performing, to F, which signifies the worst-performing.

The material make-up of the product (comprised of primarily recycled plastic and reclaimed timber), means that it is impossible to reach a classification of ‘non-combustibility’. NeoTimber’s Classic composite cladding is Class C fire-rated, while our Deluxe and Slatted composite cladding ranges are Class D fire-rated.

The exact classification for our fire retardant cladding being: C-s1, d0 (Classic composite cladding) and D-s1, d0 (Deluxe and Slatted composite cladding).

What does the “C” or “D” relate to?
The “C” or “D” part refers to the fire behaviour of the product as detailed in the table above.

What does the “S” relate to?
The “S” part of the classification refers to smoke emission (or release) during combustion: S1 is classified as the quantity/speed of emission as being weak – which is the highest classification available.

What does the “d” relate to?
The “D” part of the classification relates to the creation of flaming droplets when exposed to test conditions. Test data reported no flaming droplets within a 600 second test period.