What Can We Do for FRL 120/120/120 and EN13501-1 Fireproof Test With MgO Board From Jedpanel ?

As the proverb goes, fire is a good servant but a lousy master. The saying rings true especially when it comes to homes. If a fire can find enough flammable material, it quickly spreads. Therefore, it's crucial to use elements of limited combustibility on significant surfaces within a room. Using such materials dramatically reduces the speed of spread.

This is where fire rated construction elements come in. They play an essential role in saving lives and minimizing damage to property by offering safe egress. They also compartmentalize smoke, heat, and flames. The construction elements are usually tested as separate products by nationally recognized standards. However, there are few cases where the different components are tested together to maintain fire rating.

The European standard EN 13501-1

The EN 13501-1 is one of the European harmonized standards. It is one of test standards that have been accepted by countries within the European Economic Community. The tests allow production and importation of products without testing them in each member state. The EN13501-1 provides performance criteria for measuring fire characteristics of construction elements.

It covers the spread of the flame and the contribution to the fire. Sometimes, aspects such as generation of smoke and the production of burning droplets are added.

The Euroclass for fireproof has divided into seven levels; A1, A2, B1 and B2. Most of  MgO board can be A1, EN 13501-1 especially for fire resistant ability. It has an additional fireproof system including structure, temperature on backside, 1hr~ 4hrs are for different fireproof constructions separately. Flaming temperature in HC curve under 1100℃, there are many other standard such as RWS from Netherland and RABT from German, with temperature in 1300 ℃and 1200 ℃. Installation methods as the following photo shows:

For floorings, the non-combustibility test would be appropriate. It consists of introducing the specimens of an element into a cylindrical furnace at 750°C for 30 minutes. During this time, you observe the appearance of the flaming, the temperature rise and the mass loss.

FRL (Fire resistance levels) tests

The Australian Standard AS3959 and the Building Code of Australia specify fire resistance levels for buildings constructed in bush-fire prone areas.

FRLs are performance indicators for elements of construction. FireResistant Boards  Level  is the regular grading period, in minutes. It is determined by subjecting a specimen to the standard time-temperature curve regime that has been set out by the Australian standard.

The FRL test specifies structural adequacy, integrity, and insulation. It is usually expressed as; FRL adequacy/integrity/insulation. The values are usually rounded down to appropriate regulatory values.

FRL 120/120/120 means that the construction element can support a load when tested for 120 minutes. It can resist the passage of flames and hot gases from one space to another for 120 minutes. It can also maintain a surface temperature on the unexposed side below the unspecified limits for 120 minutes.

For an assembly, the specific FRL components (adequacy, integrity, and insulation) are determined from the results of a test. AS 1530 – 4 requires a test specimen, representative of what is to be installed in the field and built, to be subjected to a fire test using standard time versus temperature heating conditions and a standard pressure differential.

Normally, a certifier or building surveyor will specify the FRL that is necessary. It's important to know what they are asking for and to understand the appropriate system. That way, you will only be selecting a system from a broad range.

Selecting a system

Fire resistance is a big subject. When picking fire rated systems including firewalls and ceilings, you may get confused and feel free to contact Jedpanel for more professional advice,

Hopefully, this article demystifies it a little. You can always find out more in the BCA. Once you have the fire resistance requirements from the plans, a building surveyor should be able to help you pick the right system with more insight. Do you need structural adequacy? Does your ceiling or firewall system need FRL of 120/120/120 test report? Come to Jedpanel.

And of course, you can always consult with JedPanel for A1 rated MgO boards or to get project-specific advice from our expert engineers. We can prepare the tests to offer fire rated walls, hoardings, doors, cavity barriers, and partitions.