When specifying timber for construction projects, you will encounter two distinct fire safety concepts: reaction to fire and fire resistance. These terms are often confused, yet they describe fundamentally different aspects of fire performance.
Reaction to fire
Reaction to fire describes how a material behaves in the early stages of a fire. It measures:
- How easily the material ignites
- How quickly flames spread across its surface
- The amount of heat and smoke released
In Europe, reaction to fire is classified according to the EN 13501-1 standard, with classes ranging from A1 (non-combustible) to F (highly flammable). For timber products, achieving class B-s1,d0 is a significant achievement, indicating limited flame spread, minimal smoke production, and no flaming droplets.
Fire resistance
Fire resistance, on the other hand, refers to how long a complete building element (such as a wall, floor, or door) can withstand fire while maintaining its structural integrity, insulation, and separation function. It is measured in minutes (e.g., R30, R60, R90) according to EN 13501-2.
How SPFR100 fits in
SPFR100 is a reaction-to-fire treatment. It dramatically improves how timber surfaces respond in the early stages of a fire by reducing ignition, flame spread, and smoke production. When applied according to specifications, SPFR100 enables timber to achieve B-s1,d0 classification.
However, SPFR100 alone does not provide fire resistance in the structural sense. For load-bearing elements requiring fire resistance ratings, additional measures such as fire-resistant cladding, gypsum boards, or intumescent coatings may be needed.
Why both matter
Modern building regulations often require compliance with both reaction-to-fire and fire-resistance standards, depending on the application. Interior cladding, façades, and decorative timber elements typically need good reaction-to-fire performance (where SPFR100 excels), while structural elements may need to meet fire-resistance criteria as well.
Understanding the difference ensures you specify the right solution for each part of your project.
Plan your next project with SPFR100
If you want to understand how SPFR100 would affect your total project cost and specification, send us a short description of your project and we will help calculate the treated m² and recommended package sizes.
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