A new standard, BS EN 1364-6, Fire resistance tests for non-loadbearing elements. Part 6: Open-state cavity barriers has been published.
The testing of open-state cavity barriers has for a long time been an area of uncertainty, and this test method builds on the method produced by the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP).
It should be noted that the National foreword highlights that the UK committee voted against approving the standard, stating a number of key reasons. Amongst these is the following paragraph from the introduction:
‘For open-state cavity barriers e.g. those used in ventilated facades, rain screens and roof eaves; a European reference scenario has not yet been established. Work is on-going to develop a full-scale façade test and it is expected that this method will be correlated to that full-scale test. Consequently, for the time being results of tests to this document cannot be used to imply performance of an external facade system in which the open-state cavity barrier is included. The test results can be used as supplementary evidence of cavity barrier performance in facades that have been accepted by current local regulations. Further information is given in Annex A.’
The UK committee advise users to be aware of these concerns when applying this standard.
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