The harmonized European Fire Standards are a set of test standards that have been accepted by all countries within the European Economic Community. This allows manufacturers to produce or import products that have been tested to a common standard without the need to test in each member state. Testing to these standards is now accepted in all EEC countries.

Reaction to fire

 If a fire is able to find sufficient flammable materials it will quickly spread through an area. It is therefore crucial to use materials of limited combustibility on key surfaces within a room, such as ceilings and walls. The use of such materials can dramatically reduce the speed flames spread through an area as well as minimize their contribution to the fire.

The European standard EN 13501-1: Reaction to Fire provides a number of performance criteria to measure the fire characteristics of building products. These cover spread of flame and contribution to fire as well the generation of smoke and the production of burning droplets. The table below provides an overview of the available classifications.

 The Declaration of Performance

„DoP” is the main document that will normally
be required by local authority officers to show that the intended ceiling/ wall system will meet
the specified performance level.