Large Scale Fire Testing - Comparative Fire Test Data using LPCB LPS 1181 Fire Tests

A detailed research project has been performed to access the performance of different insulation systems using the LPS 1181 test methodology. The testing programme was managed by EPIC, ARUP Fire and Warrington Fire Research. The key parameters of the test include:-

• Fully developed fire -1 mega watt fire load.
• Max temp > 1000ºC at internal liner.
• LPS 1181 test designed to assess flame spread, ignition and promote flash over conditions.

Kingspan LPCB Systems

• Effect at 1000°C internal surface temperature.
• Stable protective char formed.
• Char/core expands to fill any gap between facings, consequently no voids.
• Fire rated urethane core. 70% unaffected, 30% char at 1000°C.
• No spread of flame, flashover or fire travel within the core between the facings.
• At high temperatures greater than 300°C protective char forms.
• Panels are unaffected away from main fire source.

Insulated Glass & Mineral Fibre Site Assembled Built-up Systems

• Severe shrinkage at temperatures over 600°C.
• Total thickness loss at temperatures over 800°C for glass fibre
• Loss of insulation performance.
• Burning of insulation and smoke channels down cavity voids.
• Glass fibre reduced to vitrified glass @ 850°C and total loss of insulant adjacent to joints.

Polystyrene Panel Systems

• External view after the test.
• Polystyrene melts to produce flaming droplets and fire spread.
• Illustrates structural collapse of panels.
• Fire was extinguished by brigade before end of test.

Large Scale Fire Testing Confirms Performance & Certification of Kingspan Systems

Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB LPS 1181)

FM Approval - Class 1 with no height restriction

The most important way of distinguishing between different cladding systems is through fire testing. Building Regulation tests are important in this respect but it must always be remembered that the key objective of Building Regulation guidance is to ensure that personnel can leave the building safely in the event of a fire. Property conservation is not a key consideration to regulators – in stark contrast to insurers.

Current Building Regulation tests for reaction to fire are based on the BS 476 parts 4,6,7 and 11. These define non-combustibility, limited combustibility, Class 0, Class 1 etc. These are relatively small-scale laboratory tests. Kingspan believes that the only way to test any cladding system is to perform a realistic scale test on the composite product – incorporating realistic joint details and fixings.

It is clear that the existing Building Regulation tests and the new Euroclass Reaction to Fire Tests do not fully assess panel performance and should not be taken in isolation. A good example of this is that low density glass fibre is classified as non – combustible but built–up external cladding systems based on low density glass fibre (approx 40% of the external cladding market) are not certified for a fire resistance rating. Hence the perception of a material based on small scale testing can be misleading.

Insurers recognise the limitations of the small scale reaction to fire tests used to demonstrate compliance and have developed their own tests. In addition to tests developed by LPCB and FM there is a range of other relevant large scale tests. Kingspan panels perform well in all these tests and with characteristic performance being:

•   formation of stable protective char
•   no flash over
•   no flame spread – particularly in the core of the panel
•   no fire propagation
•   no panel collapse
•   relatively small and acceptable smoke levels
•   high levels of fire resistance – up to 1 hour insulation and integrity is achievable with specific systems

Kingspan’s huge investment in large scale testing provides proof of the excellent fire performance of panel systems.

BS 476 Part 22

ISO CD 13784 Part 2 Large Scale Test

ISO CD 13784 Part 1 Intermediate Scale Test

Façade Tests BSI Draft Test Method 01/540504