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TECHNICAL ANNEXE: 13.4
Fire Spread on Internal Linings
This Technical Annexe contains benchmarks in respect of linings to restrict the development of fire and smoke from the surfaces of walls and ceilings within the area of origin, against which the existing level of provision can be compared.
The level of provision in this benchmark is consistent with the Technical Handbook for compliance with Scottish Building Regulations.
1. The wall and ceiling surfaces of internal linings should have a reaction to fire no lower than that shown in the following table:
Table. Surface linings by reference to use by residents.
Dependency of the residents | Surface | Rooms not more than 4m 2
(class) | Rooms 4m 2to 30m 2
(class) | Rooms more than 30m 2
(class) | Protected zones & unprotected zones*
(class) |
|---|
High | walls | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
ceilings | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
|---|
Medium | walls | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
|---|
ceilings | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
|---|
Low | walls | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
|---|
ceilings | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
|---|
* includes any toilet or washroom within a protected zone
Class description:
0means the surface material or where it is bonded throughout to a substrate, the surface material combined with the substrate has a surface of Class 1 and, when tested in accordance with BS 476: Part 6: 1981 or BS 476: Part 6: 1989 has an index of performance (l) not more than 12 and a sub-index (i 1) not more than 6 or has achieved a classification of B-s3, d2 or better when tested in accordance with BSEN 13823 and BSENISO: 11925-2.
Materials which may fall into this category include brickwork, blockwork, concrete, ceramic tiles, plaster finishes (including rendering on wood or metal lathes), wood-wool cement slabs and mineral fibre tiles or sheets with cement or resin binding.
1means the material when tested to BS 476: Part 7: 1987 (1993) attains a Class 1 surface spread of flame or has achieved a classification of C-s3, d2 or better when tested in accordance with BSEN: 13823 and BSENISO: 11925-2.
Materials which may fall into this category are timber, hardboard, blockboard and particle board, where, in each case, they are flame-retardant treated.
2/3means the material when tested to BS 476: Part 7:1987 (1993) attains a Class 2 or Class 3 surface spread of flame or has achieved a classification of D-s3, d2 or better when tested in accordance with BSEN 13823 and BSENISO: 11925-2.
Materials which may fall into this category include, timber, hardboard, blockboard, particle board, heavy flock wallpapers and certain dense timber or plywood.
2. Additional finishes to surfaces may be detrimental to the fire performance of the surface. Wall and ceiling surfaces mean the substrate or lining material including any treatment thereof to restrict flame spread, but exclude any decorative wallpaper or paints. Multiple layers of wallpaper or paint applied to the face of a wall or ceiling surface can increase flame spread and hence the fire growth rate. For this reason, multiple layers are not recommended when carrying out refurbishment work involving the re-decoration of wall and ceiling surfaces.
3. In a room, any part of the wall may be of one category higher than that recommended in the table above, but not higher than Class 2/3 where the total area of those parts in any one room is not more than half the floor area of the room (subject to a maximum of 20m 2).
4. The following wall surfaces should be taken into account in the assessment:
- Glazing, except glazing in doors; and
- Any part of a ceiling which slopes at an angle of more than 70º to the horizontal.
5. The following surfaces need not be taken into account:
- Doors and door frames;
- Window frames and frames in which glazing is fitted;
- Skirting and facings, cover moulds, picture rails, and similar narrow members; and
- Fireplace surrounds, mantle shelves and fitted furniture.
6. The following ceiling surfaces should be taken into account in the assessment:
- The surface of glazing; and
- Any part of a wall which slopes at an angle of 70º or less to the horizontal.
7. The following surfaces need not be taken into account:
- Ceiling hatches and their frames;
- The frames of windows or roof lights and the frames in which glazing is fitted; and
- Facings, cover moulds, picture rails, and similar narrow members.
8. Action recommended where the benchmarks are not met:
Consider upgrade to benchmark or consider installation of an automatic life safety fire suppression system as a compensatory measure.
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