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BS EN 13501-1 is the latest fire classification of construction products and building elements. Having been adopted by building regulators in Europe and the UK it is now the primary recognised fire safety standard in the (UK) construction industry and supersedes the now outdated, and massively inferior, BS 476 Class 0 classification.
The process for achieving BS EN 13501-1 classification is extensive. A product is subjected to a combination of tests which are designed to assess characteristics including combustibility, heat levels, flame spread and smoke release. Once tested, the product receives an official classification of its fire rating.
By contrast, the now defunct BS 476 Class 0 classification was based on two, small-scale, tests on individual products or materials which only focussed on the spread of flames over its surface.
BS EN 13501-1 classification is achieved because of completing current, far superior, combustibility tests as per BS EN 13823:2020 and BS EN ISO 11925-2:2020.
Zenova commissioned Warrington Fire to test its Zenova FP fire protection paint to ascertain its classification in accordance with BS EN 13501-1.
One 0.75mm coat of Zenova FP fire protection paint was applied by airless spray gun to a 9mm thick sheet of standard non retardant plywood. It was then exposed to fire in accordance with the appropriate classification testing criteria.
The tests concluded that Zenova FP fire protection paint achieved an outstanding B – s2, d0 rating in relation to its BS EN 13501-1 classification. This means it can be used in construction, on a variety of substrates, to improve fire safety.
Also known as thermofoaming paint or Intumescent Paint, ZENOVA FP Fire Protection Paint is a fire-resistant water-based paint that prevents the ignition and spread of fire.
As a result of being exposed to heat, the intumescent paint swells and creates a light char foam, increasing in volume and decreasing in density. The heat transfer from the flames to the substrate is thereby greatly diminished. Treated materials become isolated from elements that maintain fire combustion since the paint turns into an insulating protective membrane.
Zenova FP high temp test
B&TT carried out a real-world test of the Zenova WB and FP products. 2 identical scaled sets were built, each set then had a fire set inside them and left to propagate.
A side by side demonstration on how Zenova FP protects even polystyrene a highly combustable material as demonstrated in this short video
Two kitchens were set on fire. The walls and ceiling of one kitchen were painted with Zenova FP fire protection paint. The benefits are clear.
A like for like test with a large global brand of fire retardent paint clearly shows a significant differance in performance.
Zenova FP Fire Protection Paint test, showing treated versus untreated timber
See how our Intumescent Paint swells and creates protects the covered surface
This side-by-side demonstration clearly shows the effectiveness of our Zenova FP Fire Protection Paint when applied on any substrate.
This side-by-side demonstration clearly shows the effectiveness of our Zenova FP Fire Protection Paint when applied on any substrate.
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