Product category:
Walls
News Release from: Eurobond Laminates | Subject: Failing of LPCB
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 20 May 2008
Eurobond research highlights failing of
LPCB
Eurobond has challenged the clarity of Loss Prevention Certification Board testing.
In particular, in relation to the fire resistance of composite cladding panel systems, after research showed a worrying lack of understanding amongst architects as to what the testing demonstrates Many specifiers look towards Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) LPS 1181 testing when assessing the contribution to fire growth of different composite panels
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 26 May 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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However, when questioned less than 14% recognised that there are actually two grades of LPS 1181 - Grade EXT-A and Grade EXT-B, which represent a crucial differential.
Whereas LPS 1181 Grade EXT-B only tests for 'reaction to fire', a criteria generally met by the majority of composite cladding panel systems, it is only Grade EXT-A testing that shows true 'fire resistance', in accordance with BS476 Part 22, the standard for the Methods for Determination of the Fire Resistance of Non-Loadbearing Elements of Construction.
"With almost 80% of architects surveyed stating that they're required to source highly fire resistant steel faced composite panels, this lack of understanding is alarming," says Darren Stewart, commercial director at Eurobond.
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"Only Grade EXT-A testing has subjected a system to a fully blown fire, to ascertain its true fire resistance and yet this has never been clearly communicated by the LPCB.
Manufacturers should be required to state quite clearly which level of LPS 1181 their products meet, rather than hiding under the blanket labelling of LPS 1181 compliance.
Otherwise they are pulling the wool over specifiers' eyes.
"Over the last few years there have been a number of high profile fires that have shown quite categorically that some composite cladding systems do contribute to the spread of fire and yet they will have been marketed as LPS1181 compliant.
In our opinion, the LPCB is failing in its responsibilities by allowing its certification to be used in a misleading way.
Our research shows that specifiers are not being fully informed, and surely this needs to be rectified." Eurobond has long championed the use of non-combustible materials in composite cladding panel systems.
Non-combustible cored products are also recommended by the Fire Safety Order's accompanying guides on fire risk assessment and fire precautions, the draft of the NHS FireCode and the recent Building Bulletin 100: Design for fire safety in schools.
Eurobond's Europanel, Rockspan and Firemaster products are increasingly being specified due to their superior fire performance.
They are all manufactured using a Rockwool mineral wool core, which is non-combustible and will not ignite in the event of fire, nor contribute to fire spread or smoke emissions.
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