When is a document NOT a document?
Asking for and receiving the correct documentation when dealing in construction products with a declared fire rating can sometimes be a minefield.
According to the Construction Products Regulations, all construction products that are governed by a harmonised standard, should be CE marked. This is especially true for timber and wood based panels used in construction.
To comply with local building regulations, a reaction to fire classification is usually required. However, it is possible to test a timber product and achieve a classification, but this does not always provide the end user with a compliant product further down the line.
A real life example of this occurred very recently. HALT were approached by a potential client to provide a quote for FR timber cladding which was possible because we have tested and achieved a classification for the required species.
The client came back to us with a much cheaper quote from an alternative supplier.
We obtained a copy of the classification report for the alternative product and there were some glaring omissions from that report:
1. There was no Notified Body involved in the test process.
a. This means there was NO oversight during the impregnation of the test material.
b. There was No random sampling of the test material.
2. There was NO declared chemical retention specified on the classification report.
3. The manufacturing process was defined as a 15 minute pressure phase.
HALT are experts in impregnating timber through our CE certified process. The very backbone of that CE certification relies on us manufacturing timber and wood-based panels based upon the same process carried out on the test material.
Put simply, the manufacturing process needs to, at minimum, achieve the same chemical retention as the test material.
However, CE certification demands:
1. Notified Body involvement during the testing process.
a. Notified body oversight during the impregnation of the test material
b. Random Sampling of the test material
2. Declared MINIMUM chemical retention specified on the classification report.
3. A manufacturing process will only be complete once that retention is achieved.
Without having the expertise to dissect a reaction to fire classification report, it's easy to understand how the end user (in this case the client) can be misled.
• ALWAYS ask for a Declaration of Performance (DOP) - this should be provided at will from any responsible CE certified manufacturer.
• ALWAYS ask to see test reports if you are still unsure. Again, any responsible manufacturer will be happy to share the details of the test report.
• ALWAYS look for a CE certified manufacturer, as you will be safe in the knowledge that the manufacturing and testing process is regularly audited by an independent notified body.
For more information on how HALT can assist you with please get in touch.
According to the Construction Products Regulations, all construction products that are governed by a harmonised standard, should be CE marked. This is especially true for timber and wood based panels used in construction.
To comply with local building regulations, a reaction to fire classification is usually required. However, it is possible to test a timber product and achieve a classification, but this does not always provide the end user with a compliant product further down the line.
A real life example of this occurred very recently. HALT were approached by a potential client to provide a quote for FR timber cladding which was possible because we have tested and achieved a classification for the required species.
The client came back to us with a much cheaper quote from an alternative supplier.
We obtained a copy of the classification report for the alternative product and there were some glaring omissions from that report:
1. There was no Notified Body involved in the test process.
a. This means there was NO oversight during the impregnation of the test material.
b. There was No random sampling of the test material.
2. There was NO declared chemical retention specified on the classification report.
3. The manufacturing process was defined as a 15 minute pressure phase.
HALT are experts in impregnating timber through our CE certified process. The very backbone of that CE certification relies on us manufacturing timber and wood-based panels based upon the same process carried out on the test material.
Put simply, the manufacturing process needs to, at minimum, achieve the same chemical retention as the test material.
However, CE certification demands:
1. Notified Body involvement during the testing process.
a. Notified body oversight during the impregnation of the test material
b. Random Sampling of the test material
2. Declared MINIMUM chemical retention specified on the classification report.
3. A manufacturing process will only be complete once that retention is achieved.
Without having the expertise to dissect a reaction to fire classification report, it's easy to understand how the end user (in this case the client) can be misled.
• ALWAYS ask for a Declaration of Performance (DOP) - this should be provided at will from any responsible CE certified manufacturer.
• ALWAYS ask to see test reports if you are still unsure. Again, any responsible manufacturer will be happy to share the details of the test report.
• ALWAYS look for a CE certified manufacturer, as you will be safe in the knowledge that the manufacturing and testing process is regularly audited by an independent notified body.
For more information on how HALT can assist you with please get in touch.
