New guidance on fire resisting ductwork tested and classified in accordance with European standards has been published by the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP).

Fire Resisting Ductwork: classified according to BS EN 13501 Parts 3 and 4 complements the association’s UK guidance to ductwork tested to BS 476 part 24 (2nd edition).

The European version has been produced to help those involved in the specification, installation, inspection and verification of fire resisting ductwork tested to BS EN 1366 Parts 3, 8 or 9, and to ensure that minimum performance standards are maintained that will help ensure that fire compartments are not breached prematurely in the event of a fire.

Fire resisting ductwork may need to pass through compartment walls or floors that will have a prescribed fire resistance period in terms of the load-bearing capacity (stability), integrity and insulation criteria, for durations of between 30 and 240 minutes. It is a requirement that where these compartment walls or floors are penetrated by ducts or other building services, the fire performance criteria for the penetrated wall or floor is maintained.

An ASFP spokesperson said:

“This new ASFP document is intended to assist the understanding of many of the essential details that play a significant part in ensuring that fire resisting ductwork (which includes smoke outlet and smoke extraction ductwork) is correctly designed and installed, in accordance with current BS EN standards and UK legislative requirements.”

Detailed information is provided on European fire tests for ducts, together with a summary of the rules for both direct and extended fields of application. Guidance is also given on the fire resisting requirements for duct systems incorporating penetration seals, support systems and ancillary items, with a section relating to limitations. Drawings of typical BS EN 1366 fire test constructions are reproduced and diagrams of types and functions of various fire resisting ductwork systems are included for guidance purposes.
 

Download a copy of Fire Resisting Ductwork: classified according to BS EN 13501 Parts 3 and 4 (free registration with ASFP website required)