BS EN 1364-1:2015 – Non-Loadbearing Walls

Once you’ve booked a test, you can expect to receive a Test Date Booking Form – securing the booking date and agreeing the timeline for delivery and installation.

Closer to the time, we’ll ask you to complete a Customer Test Details Form, to confirm the exact details of the test. At this point we’ll also ask you to submit a full technical specification and CAD drawings in .dwg format. We will review the proposed construction to ensure compliance with the test standard.

The wall sample can be built by the test sponsor, or by our in-house build team – mechanically fixed within one of our 3m x 3m furnace restraint frames. During construction a member of our technical team will comprehensively document the materials and methods of construction, consult with the builders to ensure all requirements of the test standard are met, and apply any internal thermocouples as required.

If required, our in-house build team can prepare in advance a supporting construction to reduce the size of the opening to suit your needs.

The sample is prepared for testing – measurements are taken, an array of thermocouples affixed, and positions marked for measurements to be taken during the test.

The frame is then mounted on the front of our 3m high x 3m wide vertical furnace so that one face of the sample is exposed to the fire – representing a compartment wall in practice.

The sample is evaluated for 2 criteria:

• Integrity – the ability to prevent the passage of flames and hot gasses
• Insulation – the ability to restrict temperature rise on the unexposed face

The result for each criteria is expressed as the number of whole elapsed minutes for which the sample maintains that ability.

Integrity is evaluated by:

• Sustained flaming, lasting at least 10 seconds on the unexposed face
• Opening of a gap, hole or crack which allows penetration of a 6mm or 25mm diameter gap gauge into the furnace
• Ignition of a cotton pad when held against the specimen in a wire frame holder for at most 30 seconds

Insulation is evaluated by:

• Average temperature rise: The thermocouples at the geometric centre of the sample and the centre of each quadrant are considered. The average temperature of these 5 thermocouples must not rise more than 140°C above its initial value.
• Maximum temperature rise: Of the array of thermocouples applied, the temperature of any individual thermocouple must not rise more than 180°C above the initial value of the average thermocouples.
• A handheld roving thermocouple is also used to evaluate for maximum temperature rise when needed.
• Failure to maintain Integrity constitutes a failure to maintain Insulation.

Radiation and lateral deflection are also measured and reported against the total number of elapsed minutes. Radiation is also specifically stated where it exceeds the levels of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kW/m².

• Same-day confirmation of test results by email and/or phone.
• On request, a link to the video of the test and any required intermediate reporting of test observations and data.
• A comprehensive Test Report. This is a multi-page document detailing the test results, test data and a breakdown of the assembled components including photos and drawings.
• A BS EN 13501-2:2023 Classification Report. This document summarises the results, defines the performance classification, and defines the field of application – the scope of allowable changes to the construction in practice from that which was tested. By default, this includes the Direct Field of Application (DIAP) rules, most of which are generic to all types of non-loadbearing walls.
• An Extended Field of Application (EXAP) Report. This document expands upon the scope allowed in the DIAP rules – each EXAP standard contains rules specific to the type of construction tested. The EXAP Report can be referenced in the Classification Report to provide the complete package.
• Price for Classification and EXAP on request, subject to the scope of work and type of construction.
• There is no “Test Certificate” available, this is a misnomer. Testing and Certification are separate processes.
• The Test Report may be used by a third party for product assessment and certification.

• The construction of the test specimen should represent the element in practice.
• For some types of construction, the test standard prescribes what features should be included in the specimen and where they should be located. If you are unsure or would like clarification, please contact our team to discuss.
• Symmetry, and direction of fire exposure. Is the construction symmetrical through its thickness? If not, it may need to be tested from each direction.
• Are there any services to penetrate the system in practice? They may not be able to be added without further testing. See our Penetration Seals page.
• Amendments to Approved Document B (Fire Safety), coming into force in September 2029, will require a system or product to have a performance classification.