Single burning item test

Smith, D., Marshall, N., Shaw, K., and Colwell, S., In correlating large-scale fire performance with the single burning item test, 9th Interflam Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, Interscience Communications London, U.K., 2001, pp. 531-542. 

Messerschmidt B, Van Hees P, Wickstrom U. Prediction of SBI (single burning item) test results by means of cone calorimeter test results. Interflam 1999, Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference. Interscience Communication Limited London, 1999 pp. 11-22. 

Hansen AS. Prediction of heat release in the single burning item test. Fire Mater. 2002 26 87-97. 

Single burning item test for class B, C, and D materials or intermediate combustibility have been introduced [2] and equipment is now available for carrying out six new test methods for European-wide classification of construction products. 

A key issue is the development and resolution of the so-called Single Burning Item test. Other European projects are covering the general testing of cables, FIPEC and one for advanced methods for the determination of fire effluent composition. 

A single European standard has been proposed for the construction industry based on a new test currently called the Single Burning Item test, designated prEN SBI. In this, the reaction of materials to fire is divided into Euro-classes (prEN 13501-1), see Chapter 8. 

Moves to harmonise fire safety assessment for building products in Europe has sparked a major shake-up in the flammability testing and classification of polymer materials [2]. As far back as 1998, over 30 tests were in use and more have been developed since then. The most radical change will be the introduction of the Single Burning Item for class B, C and D materials of intermediate combustibility, including most plastics. 

This test has been instmmental in encouraging the development of other larger-scale and intermediate-scale standard comer tests such as ISO 9705 [45] and prEN 13823 (single burning item) [42]. 

However, most items are actually composites of at least two fabrics (see below) and it is the composite that is subjected to the test. Usually, if a single fabric layer or a multilayer comprising the same fibre type is to be tested and the former passes the test, then so will the latter, and no additional flame retardant is required to enable the standard to be achieved. The use of flame retardants in any case is to be avoided, since not only do they add to cost but also they can increase the levels of toxic gases emitted during burning, although currently levels of these are not required to be assessed. If blends of different fibres or combinations of fabrics comprising different fibres are combined, then it is probable that additional flame retardants may be required to pass the test even if component fabrics alone each pass the test. 

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