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.
Suunnittele seuraava projektisi SPFR100:lla
Jos haluat ymmärtää, miten SPFR100 vaikuttaa projektin kokonaiskustannuksiin ja tekniikkoihin, lähetä lyhyt projektikuvaus ja autan laskea käsiteltyjen m² ja suositeltujen paketin koojen.
Puhu asiantuntijan kanssa