The evolution of reaction to fire classification of materials: A case study of Canada

Combustible and noncombustible notions have evolved with time, along with the associated fire tests by which legislation classifies building materials. New Zealand, Japan, and Europe are just some of the many legislations that have followed this evolution, except for North American regulations, which remain attached to methods dating back to 1944. To better understand this stagnation in North American practices, this document first traces the evolution of Canadian regulations on fire classification of materials. Then, a parallel is drawn with the evolution of reaction to fire tests mandated in the National Building Code of Canada. Finally, this paper will review the current fire classification of materials concerning the combustibility concept based on the Steiner tunnel test and the flame spread rating criteria. The analysis reveals that the relevance of the test and its results are questionable, and the reciprocity between test measurement and its classification does not always coincide. Despite the revisions made through time, the classification of materials based on their fire properties remains distinctly binary.