The different ‘Reaction to fire’ classifications can quickly lead to confusion. Euroclasses, M or B1 : various standards exist in the European Union. However, what are their differences ? And moreover, why do these standards exist ? Alphatex explains everything about fire ratings in this article. In certain cases, the use of fire retardant products is mandatory, that is why it is very important to know which fire certificate is suitable for your works.
Euroclasses, M and B1 – Reaction To Fire classifications
Reaction To Fire rating allow you to know how a material reacts when it comes into contact with fire. Alphatex offers fire retardant products in order to secure a work site. Indeed, workers, buildings and passers-by safety must be taken seriously. Moreover, in some countries, it is mandatory to work with fire retardant materials in work sites that are inside establishments receiving the public.
Euroclasses, M and B1 classifications correspond to the European, French and German standards. That is why you probably saw these acronyms while visiting our website on a wide range of products.
In order to ensure that each member state is equally assessed for Reaction To Fire ratings and to facilitate the circulation of construction materials, the Euroclass standard was created in 2011. They correspond to the EN13501-1 standard.
This Reaction To Fire classification is therefore perfectly valid on the whole territory of the European Union. Alphatex can supply you with fire retardant debris nettings, tarpaulins and heat shrink films, that can be used in many European countries.
Below, you can find a table about the French and European fire classifications :
The M classification is the official standard in France for the Reaction To Fire. In order to commercialise a material, it has to be tested according to this standard.
Why ? The purpose of the M-rating is to assess the reaction to fire of a material. In other words, it is about its ability to sustain and propagate the flames to which it is exposed. The aim is to prevent a fire from developing too quickly and to allow the evacuation of people on site.
In France, Euroclasses and M-rating can be used to prove that a net, a tarpaulin or heat shrink film is fire retardant. The M classification starts from M0, for non-combustible materials, and ends with M4, for highly flammable materials :
The B1 classification corresponds to the DIN4102 Reaction To Fire standard used in Germany. It was made by the Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Standards Institute). The different categories of this classification are the following :
This classification is only valid in Germany. If you need fire retardant nets, heat shrink wraps or tarpaulins in order to use it in this country, Alphatex has the ability to provide you with high quality products.
Since 1996, Alphatex is a net, tarpaulin and heat shrink wrap manufacturer. Our purpose is to offer high quality products to our customers. That is why we invested in R&D to produce the best fire retardant products on the market. In addition to their primary function, these fire retardant materials also play an important role to limit the spread of fire. You can have a look at what Alphatex has to offer :
Alphatex is a nets, tarpaulins and heat shrink wraps manufacturer.
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