Regulation

Building's products

There have been a great many decrees concerning the fire behaviour of materials used in Establishments Open to the Public (ERP) and High-rise buildings (IGH), the most recent version used is dated 28 August 1991.

French regulations define the criteria of fire behaviour that materials used in the construction of "ERP " and " IGH " must satisfy.

Depending on their reaction to fire, coverings used on all supports and materials for interior furnishing are classified in 5 categories : M0, M1, M2, M3, M4 (NF P. 92.507) .

• M0 matériaux dits " incombustibles "
• M0 materials so-called " incombustible "
• M1 materials so-called " non inflammable"
• M2 materials so-called " barely inflammable "
• M3 materials so-called " moderately inflammable "
• M4 materials so-called " easily inflammable "

CLASSIFICATION OF MATERIALS M0

Materials classified M1 : determination of 'highest calorific power' (PCS), for possible classification in M0, NF P. 92-510.

SMOKES & EMISSIONS OF TOXIC GASES

"The opacity and toxicity of products in combustion are not taken into account in the present Order (Order of 30 June 1983) -Article 2) since they concern the consequences of fire and conflagration". Only materials classified M0 and M1, plus floor coverings classified M2 and M3, are excluded from restrictive dispositions (Orders of 4 November 1975 & 1 December 1976).

DETERMINATION OF CLASSIFICATION - CLASSIFICATION REPORTS

The duration of validity of classification reports is FIVE years.

"At the time of its use, a material must be covered by a currently valid classification report..." (Decree of 30 June 1983 - article 90).

DURABILITY OF CLASSIFICATIONS

The durability of classifications of fire reaction of materials is specified according to their use and the necessary accelerated ageing tests are defined in order to estimate this durability (Annexe 22 - article 1 - Textile materials used where not exposed to weather). The durability of classification is considered to be equal to the expected life of the material used if it has passed the accelerated ageing tests (Article 36). - Products that do not pass the accelerated ageing tests have a durability classification of 12 months reckoned from the date of their installation.

PRODUCTS THAT CARRY THE NONFEU LABEL DO NOT HAVE TO UNDERGO ACCELERATED AGEING TESTS AND THE DURATION OF THEIR CLASSIFICATION IS NOT LIMITED.