FIRE RATING AND CLASSIFICATION OF VARIOUS BUILDING MATERIALS

A
AWRITTEN REPORT
PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF
COLLEGE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY
VICSA, BAYBAY CITY LEYTE

ABANES, JOHN VICTOR

DATWIN, JONATHAN
MEREDORES, CARL ANTHONY

2021
LESSON 1: FIRE RATING AND CLASSIFICATION OF VARIOUS BUILDING MATERIALS

In relation to fire rating and classification of various building materials, one will surely come across with several terms
which are relevant towards the profound understanding of the topic. In this section, these are highlighted and defined to
provide

1.1 TERMS

Fire safety- The actions executed to inhibit, restrain or to lessen the loss of life and property damages resulting
from fire. This includes the measures such as constricting fire loads, restraining the spread of fire through fire
resistant construction, the utilization of fire technologies such as detection systems, formation of enough
firefighting services and training of building occupants in fire response, fire safety and the proper evacuation
procedures (Ching, 1995). Fire safety in buildings is done by implementation and application of the necessary
provisions stated in the building codes of practice (Kodur et. Al, 2019)

Fire Hazard- denotes various conditions that increases the tendency of fire occurrence, blocks the access to
firefighting equipment or causes the evacuation of building occupants in fire incidents. (Ching, 1995). This
constitute all factors that exist in the building that can start fire and can intensify the fire severity such as the use
of open architecture, large windows and poor fire compartmentation (Kodur et. Al, 2019).

Fire load- quantifies the amount of materials that are combustible within the premise of the building measured in
pounds per square foot of floor area. (Ching, 1995)

Combustible- a term use to refer materials that has the capability of burning and igniting. (Ching,1995) These are
materials that has a flash point higher than 37.8 ºC and below 93.3 ºC (Burton, 2019).

Flammable- denotes combustible materials that ignite easily at ambient temperatures.

Fire Resistance- is a material property that describes the ability to prevent or retard the passage of excessive
heat, hot gasses or flames under conditions of use (NYCBC, 2008). It also describes the ability of structural
assembly to maintain integrity or the ability of walls and partitions to act as barriers under fire conditions.

1.2 TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION (IN RELATION TO FIRE RESISTANCE)

Type I – buildings or structures which are made-up of

wood. The image shown exemplifies one example of type I
construction. As it is seen, the depicted structure is made
up purely of woods which is undeniably susceptible to fire.

Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/nipa+house
 Type II- includes buildings or structures established
through wood construction combined with protective fire-
resistant materials and is one hour resistive throughout. The
second image shows an example of Type II construction
where the structure is also made-up of wood but its
permanent non-bearing partitions used fire-retardant
treated wood within the framing assembly.

Source: https://ofwupdate.com/modern-bahay-kubo-designs-philippines/

Type III-encompass buildings or structures established

through masonry and wood construction. These buildings
are one-hour resistive throughout and made up of exterior
walls from incombustible fire-resistive construction.
Shown in the image is an example of Type III construction
in which its lower floor is of masonry construction while its
upper floor is of wood construction.

Source: https://tagein-tagaus-athen.blogspot.com/2020/03/house-design-half-concrete-half-wood.html

Type IV- these buildings are erected by steel, iron,

concrete, or masonry construction. These are composed of
walls ceilings, and permanent partitions that are of
incombustible fire-resistive construction. As shown in the
image, Type IV construction can be viewed like the
example. It is mainly of masonry construction thus making
it not very much susceptible to fire.

Source: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/781093129091872793/
 Type V-these buildings are fire resistive with structural
elements that are of steel, iron, concrete, or masonry
construction. These are also made up of walls, ceilings, and
permanent partitions that are of incombustible fire-resistive
construction. Shown in the fifth image, is an example of
Type V construction which are high rise buildings that are
fire resistive.

Source: https://federalland.ph/articles/12-safety-tips-when-you-are-in-a-condo-during-an-earthquake/

1.3 VARIOUS FIRE RATINGS

1.3A FIRE RESISTANCE RATING

Fire-Resistance Rating- The ability for which a material that can withstand exposure to fire without collapsing,
exceeding specific temperatures, or develop an opening which is expressed in time (hrs. or min) (Ching, 1995). It
is typically determined by measuring the ability of a passive fire protection material or assembly to withstand a
standard fire resistance test.

Time- Temperature curve- used for testing the fire resistive rating for passive fire protection systems.

Source: Francis-DK-Ching-A-Visual-Dictionary-of-Architecture

The image above is an example of a Time-Temperature curve where it shows the temperature of a
material with respect to time.
 Aggregate Minimum equivalent thickness for fire resistance rating. in.
Type 1 hour 1.5 hour 2 hours 3 hours 4 hours
Silicons 3.5 4.3 5.0 6.2 7.0

Carbonate 3.2 4.0 4.6 5.7 6.6

Semi- 2.7 3.3 3.8 4.6 5.4

lightweight
Lightweight 2.5 3.1 3.6 4.4 5.1

Source: https://precast.org

The table above is an example of fire-resistance rating for single layer concrete wall, floors and roofs
with their corresponding thickness. As shown in the table, silicon aggregate type with 3.5-inch thickness has a
fire resistance rating of 1 hr. This means that it can withstand fire without being damage for exactly 1 hour.

1.3B FLAME-SPREAD RATING

Flame-Spread Rating- is a rating of how fast a fire can spread to a surface of an interior finish material. It is
acquired by performing the Tunnel Test. (Ching, 1995). It is calculated by the distance a flame travels across a
material, divided by the amount of time it takes to travel that distance (Timbertech ,2020)

Source: semanticscholar.org

The image above is a Steiner Tunnel part with its part which is used to Identify how fast flames spread
on a surface. The sample is placed underside of the removable top panel and is tested for 10 minutes.

Tunnel Test - Also called Steiner tunnel test, is a test that measures the time it takes for a controlled
flame to spread across the face of a test specimen, the amount of fuel the material contributes to the
fire, and the density of the smoke
 Source: https://www.icc-nta.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ASTM-E84-Steiner-Tunnel-Test-
2web.jpg

The photo above is the equipment used in a tunnel test. Before the test, the material with a dimension of
24 inches by 24 feet has to be supported with Wire mesh and steel rod. After the whole set-up, the test
tuber will now be closed with a water tight seal. The material inside will be subjected to extreme gas
flame exposure by natural gas burners. The tunnel has a 3-inch opening at the end of it which serves as
an air regulator to support the gas flame to spread to the face of the material naturally. The test measures
the flame spread index and smoke developed value. The test only lasts for 10
minutes(https://youtu.be/F09qpaWFnE8).

Flame-Spread Rating or Index

Material/Species Flame Spread Rating
Hardboard siding panels < 200
APA Wood Structural Panels (includes 76-200
APA 303 sidings such as T1-11)
Birch, Yellow 80
Brick 0
Cedar, Western Red 69
Douglas-fir 90
Fiberboard, Medium Density 167
Gypsum Wallboard 10-15
Gypsum Sheathing 15-20
Fiber- cement exterior materials 0
Maple 73

Source: http://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov

Table shows an example of different materials with their corresponding flame spread rating and
flame spread index. As it was presented in the table, APA Wood Structural Panels has the highest flame
spread rating among the examples while gypsum sheathing attained the lowest with 0 flame spread rating.
 1.3C FUEL- CONTRIBUTION RATING

Fuel- Contribution Rating- a rating on the number of combustible substances an interior finish material can
contribute to a fire. (Ching, 1995). It is a measure of the amount of heat energy stored in building materials that
can contribute to a fire. (Harris, 1975)

1.3D SMOKE-DEVELOPED RATING

Smoke-Developed Rating- a rating on the amount or volume of smoke an interior finish material can produce
while in the process of combustion. (Ching, 1995) From the standard, materials with a rating that exceeds 450
are not permitted to be used inside a building.

1.4 CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDING MATERIALS

1.4A CLASSIFICATION BASED ON COMBUSTIBILITY (BRITISH STANDARD)

Materials to be used in buildings are tested first and will usually need to pass specific standards such as
its integrity for fire protection. One of the standards that are known is the BS EN 13501-1 or the Fire classification
of Construction Products and Building Elements. With its acceptable method of testing, the classification system
defined in BS EN 13501-1 is quickly becoming the primary recognized standard in the construction industry.

Included in the BS EN 13501-1 standard, tests performed are tests designed to assess the material
characteristics, including combustibility, heat levels, flame spread and smoke release.

Once a material is tested, the product receives an official classification of its fire rating, known as a Euroclass
rating.

CLASSIFICATION DEFINITION DESCRIPTION

A1 Non-combustible No contribution to
fire

A2 Limited Very Limited

combustibility Contribution to fire

B Limited contribution
to fire

C Minor contribution to
Combustible
fire

D Medium contribution
to fire

E High contribution to
fire

F Easily flammable

Shown in the table is the Euro class classification for various materials based on their combustibility.
Contained in the table is the classification name, their definition and their corresponding description.
 CLASSIFICATION EXAMPLE MATERIALS
A1 Concrete
Brick Stone
Rockwool

A2 Plasterboard
Cement particle
board Glass Wool

B Painted gypsum board

Some fire resistant MDF
Some Birch plywood
Fully impregnated Wood
Wood wool cement slabs
Fibre gypsum board

C Most fire resistant MDF

Some European Plywood
Phenolic foam (foil faced)

D Expanded polystyrene type A

Polyisocyanurate foam (foil faced)
Extruded polystyrene

E Polyurethane Foam (laminate faced)

Polyisocyanurate foam (sprayed)
Wood fibre board (vacuum pressed)

F Expanded polystyrene type N

In the table above are the different examples of building materials under Euro class classification. As it
was presented, concrete, brick stone, rockwool are the tested examples of A1 class which means that these are not
combustible and will not contribute to fire.

4.2 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON SMOKE EMISSION (BRITISH STANDARD)

Based BS EN 13501-1 standard, building materials can also be classified based on its smoke emission
during combustion. This is indicated by a rating of s1, s2 or s3, from highest to lowest performance.

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION
s1 Quantity/speed of emission absent
or weak
s2 Quantity/speed of emission of
average intensity
s3 Quantity/speed of emission of high
intensity

The table above exemplifies the three classification of building materials based on smoke emission
during combustion. As it is displayed, s1 classification denotes that the there is absence of smoke or there is a
weak quantity or speed of smoke emission. On the other hand, s2 classification means that the material exhibited
average intensity of smoke quantity. Lastly, s3 classification means that the material showed high intensity of
smoke emission during testing.
4.3 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON PRODUCTION OF FLAMING DROPLETS (BRITISH
STANDARD)

The third classification under British Standard BS EN 13501-1 is intended for the level of production of
flaming droplets/particles during combustion. This is indicated by a rating of d0, d1 or d2, from highest to lowest
performance. E-rated products attained a d2 flaming droplet classification. F-rated products obtained none. A1-
rated products are not included in the flaming droplet ratings, since they are assumed to have no contribution to
fire growth or spread.

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION
D0 No dripping
D1 Low dripping
D2 High dripping

In the table above are the classification of building materials based on the ability to produce flaming
droplets as stated in BS EN 13501. As shown, D0 means no dripping and the material was not able to produce
flaming droplets during the test. On the other hand, D1 denotes low dripping and D2 means High dripping and
the material was able to produce large number of flaming droplets.

4.4 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON FLAME SPREAD AND SMOKE DEVELOPED (US STANDARD)

National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code classifies building materials based on its flame
spread rating and smoke developed rating. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international
nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and
related hazards.

According to Life Safety Code, known as NFPA 101, a consensus standard widely adopted in the United
States, there are 3 classifications.

Class A - Flame-spread 0-25, smoke developed 0-450.

Class B - Flame-spread 26-75, smoke developed 0-450.

Class C - Flame-spread 76-200, smoke developed 0-450.

 Flame-Spread Classification Flame-Spread Rating or Index
Class I (or A) 0 - 25
Class II (or B) 26 - 75
Class III (or C) 76 - 200

Material/species Flame- Flame-Spread Class

Spread

Rating

Hardboard siding panels <200 III

APA Wood Structural Panels (includes APA 76-200 III

303 Sidings such as T1-11)

Birch, Yellow 80 III

Brick 0 I

Cedar, Western Red 69 II

Douglas-fir 90 III

Fiberboard, Medium Density 167 III

Gypsum Wallboard 10-15 I

Gypsum Sheathing 15-20 I

fiber-cement exterior materials 0 I

The table is an example of Flame-Spread Classification Flame-Spread Rating or Index for woods/wood related
materials. Clearly shown in the table is that a sample like Fiberboard, Medium Density is classified as Class III
since it has a flame spread of 167.
 Source: https://ratingwalls.blogspot.com/2019/12/class-rating-flame-spread-index.html

The table above shows the flame-spread and smoke developed rating for some selected materials. In the table are
the flame spread rating value and the smoke developed rating value for a material shown simultaneously. And
based on the NFPA standard, a sample like Fire-rated IPB Flakeboard IPB substrate is classified since it has a
flame spread of 20 and smoke developed rating of 25.

4.5 CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE ASSEMBLY BASED ON FIRE RESISTANCE RATING

Class A – A classification of fire assembly having a 3-hour fire resistant rating for protecting opening in 3-hour
or 4-hour fire walls or occupancy separation (Ching, 1995).

Class B – A classification of fire assembly having a 1-hour to 1½-hour fire resistant rating for protecting in 1-
hour to 2-hour fire separations, exit stairways and vertical shafts (Ching, 1995).

Class C – A classification of fire assembly having a ¾-hour fire resistant rating for protecting openings in 1-hour
walls, corridors, and hazardous areas (Ching, 1995).

Class D – A classification of fire assembly having a 1½-hour fire-resistance rating for protecting openings in
exterior walls subject to extreme fire exposure from outside the building (Ching, 1995).

Class E – A classification of fire assembly having a ¾-hour fire resistant rating for protecting openings in exterior
walls subject to light or moderate fire exposure from outside the building (Ching, 1995).
4.6 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON FIRE RESISTANCE RATING

Materials can also be classified based on their fire resistance rating but their specific dimensions will be
considered. Specifically, these materials and some building assembly can be classified 1-hr resistive, 2hr resistive,
3hr resistive, 4hr resistive and etc.

Source: https://www.aerconaac.com/fire-resistance.html

The table above shows the fire resistance rating of some building elements with a given thickness. Example of
type of element presented in the table is block wall-load bearing, block wall-non load bearing, wall panel-load
bearing and others. The fire resistance categorization of these building elements are determined by their specific
dimensions.

Fire Resistance Rating of Concrete Masonry Assemblies

Source: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/fire-resistance-and-prevention-in-wood-buildings/2/

The table above shows the fire resistance rating of some concrete masonry assemblies. In the table, it is presented
the aggregate types used in concrete masonry and its minimum equivalent thickness for it to attain a certain
category of fire resistance rating such as 0.5 hr., 0.75 hr., 1 hr., 1.5 hr.,2hrs., 3hrs., and 4 hrs.
Fire Resistance of Clay Masonry Wall

Source: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/fire-resistance-and-prevention-in-wood-buildings/2/
The table above fire resistance of clay masonry wall based on its material type. Depicted clearly in the table are
the material type which are solid brick of clay or shale, hollow brick unfilled, hollow brick grouted or filled and
its fire resistance category which is dependent on its minimum equivalent thickness.

Fire Resistance Rating of Single Layer Concrete Walls, Floors and Roofs

Source: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/fire-resistance-and-prevention-in-wood-buildings/2/
The table above exemplifies the different categories of fire resistance that a single layer concrete walls, floors and
roofs will attain. In the table are the aggregate type used in concrete masonry unit, the minimum equivalent
thickness for fire resistance rating in millimeters and their corresponding category of fire resistance such as 4 hrs.,
3 hrs., 2 hrs., 1.5 hr. and 1 hr.
WEB REFERENCES:

https://www.shutterstock.com/search/nipa+house

https://ofwupdate.com/modern-bahay-kubo-designs-philippines/

https://tagein-tagaus-athen.blogspot.com/2020/03/house-design-half-concrete-half-wood.html

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/781093129091872793/

https://federalland.ph/articles/12-safety-tips-when-you-are-in-a-condo-during-an-earthquake/

https://www.icc-nta.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ASTM-E84-Steiner-Tunnel-Test-2web.jpg

https://youtu.be/F09qpaWFnE8

http://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov

https://ratingwalls.blogspot.com/2019/12/class-rating-flame-spread-index.html
https://www.aerconaac.com/fire-resistance.html

https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/difference-between-flammable-and-combustible/

https://surviving-wildfire.extension.org/fire-ratings-for-construction-materials/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/fire-resistance

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=101

https://www.insulationsuperstore.co.uk/help-and-advice/product-guides/insulation/a-guide-to-fire-rated-insulation/

BOOK REFERENCES:

Ching, Francis D. K., A Visual Dictionary of Architecture, 2nd Edition, John Wiley and Sons Inc.