FIRE RESISTANCE GLAZED CONSTRUCTIONS CLASSIFICATION, Changes in the field of application

Abstract

The most common fire resistance glazed constructions are arguably doors and non – loadbearing walls (partitions, curtain walls, external walls). In 2014 we welcomed revisions of fire resistance testing standards for doors (EN 1634-1) and curtain walls (EN-1364-3), while revision of EN 1364-1 standard for non – loadbearing walls is planned to be implemented by the end of the year 2015. Taking into account the existence of several EXAP’s for all these kind of constructions, selection of test specimen(s) with best possible configuration is getting more significant nowadays. But equally important question appears - how to treat previously performed fire resistance tests? This paper discusses some interpretation concerns regarding fire resistance classifications of aluminium glazed, non – loadbearing constructions in light of rapidly changing regulations. The paper also points out same examples of testing evidence with regard to outlined concerns.