Understand fire classification and performance declarations

UNDERSTANDING EUROCLASSESFIRE CLASSIFICATIONS and PERFORMANCE DECLARATIONS Euroclassesand DOP-01-2021 1

PREAMBLE The purpose of carpets’ fire classification is not to check the resistance to burning of cigarettes, but to calculate, in case of fire, the flammability and the speed of propagation of the flame in a material laid on the ground. 2 Euroclasseset DOP-01-2021

REQUIREMENTS 3 Euroclasseset DOP-01-2021

REQUIREMENTS At the European level, the decree of 21 November 2002 on the reaction to fire of construction and planning products now introduces the "euroclasses" of reaction to fire. These are more complete than the old French classification, taking into account the fumes released as well as any projected droplets. This regulation on the reaction to fire of construction products requires performance evaluation according to the new Euroclasses system, once the CE marking of the product has entered into force. Carpets and textile floor coverings are classified as 'construction products' by Council Directive 89/106 of 21 December 1988. Since 2013, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR - no. 305 / 2011) replaces the Construction Products Directive (DPC - 89/106 / EEC). The CPR promotes the placing on the market and free movement of construction products, and meets the basic regulatory requirements of construction works by CE marking. This regulation is applicable by all member states of the Union. It imposes multiple obligations on the part of manufacturers, distributors and importers. For example, providing useful information on the essential characteristics of the product (Declaration of Performance) becomes essential to comply with this new legislation. The CE marking on the product or packaging also becomes proof that the product complies with the Community requirements by manufacturer's commitment. 4 Euroclasseset DOP-01-2021

EUROCLASSES European harmonization of building products reaction to fire tests 7 categories of classification relate to the fire reaction of floors from A1fl (fl for floor) to Ffl. Only the first 6 categories correspond to an M classification. 5 Euroclasseset DOP-01-2021

Energy contribution / Gradual thermal demand ◼ B, C, D, E, F Euroclasse F No fire reaction performance determined Euroclasse B Idem C, with stricter criteria Euroclasse E Products able to resist at the attack of a small flame, without substantial propagation Euroclasse D Resistance for a longer period to the attack of a small flame. Capable of undergoing thermal attack from an isolated object on fire with delayed and limited heat release Euroclasse C Idem D, with stricter criteria s3 High smoke production s1 Low smoke production s2 Average smoke production Additional rankings for smoke production ◼ s1, s2, s3 EUROCLASSES 5 concern the carpet 6 Euroclasseset DOP-01-2021

EUROCLASSES Classification in accordance with NF EN 13501-1 Table IV-1 taken from the decree of 21 November 2002 on the reaction to fire of construction and landscaping products Equivalent Requirement Bfl s1 M3 Bfl S2 M3 Cfl s1 M3 Cfl s2 M3 Dfl s1 M4 Dfl s2 M4 German standard: Classes Cfl and Bfl-s1 meet class B1 of German standard DIN 4102 7 Euroclasseset DOP-01-2021

To assign the Euroclasses, 2 tests are carried out: ◼the small flame test (NF EN ISO 11925-2) : The objective is to evaluate the ignitability of a product exposed to a thermal solicitation weak and localized, simulated by a small flame. ◼european radiant panel test (NF EN ISO 9239-1) : The objective is to determine the critical radiant flux from which a flame front stopp to propagate on a horizontal surface consisting of a flooring sample. EUROCLASSES Test methods 8 Euroclasseset DOP-01-2021

The test is carried out on one color of the range but is, of course, valid for all the colors of the range. European Standard NF EN 14041: "the color and type of design of a floor covering have no influence on the fire behavior, unless their modification causes a change in the composition or other parameters, as mentioned above ''. EUROCLASSES Colors tested 9 Euroclasseset DOP-01-2021

No validity limit on fire classification reports for a floor covering subject to CE marking under the life of the product, and as long as the product composition remains unchanged. EUROCLASSES Validity limit 10 Euroclasseset DOP-01-2021

ABOUT THE DOP… DOP : declaration of performance As of 1 July 2013, under the Construction Products Regulation (CPM - No. 305/2011), the manufacturer has the obligation to draw up a declaration of performance, leading to CE marking any product covered by a harmonized European standard, Textile floor coverings show a harmonized standard: EN 14041. The essential characteristics for Sommer products are: ◼Fire classification ◼Emission of formaldehyde ◼PCP (PentaChloroPhénol) content The DOP, which has been mandatory since 2013, is being put on the market without any limit of validity. This is a statement made by the manufacturer. To prove a fire performance, you need the ranking and the DOP (since 2013). 11 Euroclasseset DOP-01-2021

As of January 1, 2019, the standard NF EN: 14041 evolves. Reminder: CE marking conformity systems: System 1: addition of flame retardants to give fire performance to the product. An audit will have to be done every year by an accredited organization which will check the constancy of the performances of the product so no validity limit for the fire classification. The organization will issue a certificate of constancy of performance (see CE mark Asqual CE marking). System 3: no addition of flame retardants to give fire performance to the product. The fire performance will have to be checked every 5 years by XXXX (different from the fire classification which results in an official document). EUROCLASSES Validity limit A ajouter en 2019 (remplace la diapo 10 12 Euroclasseset DOP-01-2021

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