More interesting perhaps is the response of


a rigid foam insulating panel, and specifically those that might not natively support sustained combustion from a momentary initial ignition source. Whilst involvement is visually less, and may cease once the fire source is removed, there is clearly still a contribution to the fire size that might not be recognised by some appraisal techniques. This shows that fire spread alone may not definitively describe how materials may contribute to overall fire size.


Figure 2 – Involvement of a polystyrene based sandwich panel


Figure 3 – Contribution of polystyrene panel to overall fire heat release rate


A stonewool system for comparison again shows


coherency between the limited visual spread and heat release data.


Figure 6 - Involvement of a rigid foam sandwich panel


Figure 7 - Contribution of rigid foam panel to overall fire heat release rate


As a result of the Hackitt Review, it is hoped


Figure 4 – Involvement of a stonewool sandwich panel system


there will be an opportunity to review and update the BS 8414 test regime. Whilst it tests some fire performance components in its current form, there is scope to extract much improved data that comparatively better describes the system’s contribution to a fire and the toxic threat potential to residents. Such testing methods are being developed


currently in the FPA’s fire laboratory under a RISCAuthority initiative to understand the sensitivity of sandwich panel systems to deviations, such as poor installation and through life wear and tear – attributes certainly worth appraising for cladding systems also


Figure 5 – Contribution of stonewool panel to overall fire heat release rate


Dr Jim Glockling is technical director of the FPA and director of RISCAuthority


www.frmjournal.com JUNE 2018 17


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