BS EN 1366-5:2021

What is BS EN 1366-5 about?  

BS EN 1366-5 is the fifth part of a multi-series specifies a method for determining the fire resistance of horizontal service ducts and vertical service shafts, which pass through walls or floors and enclose pipes and cables, to classify them according to BS EN 1366‑5. The test scenario examines the behaviour of ducts and shafts exposed to fire either from outside or from inside the system. This document is intended to be read in conjunction with BS EN 1366‑5. 

BS EN 1366-5 does not examine the risk of fire spread as a result of thermal conduction along the piping or cabling installed in service ducts or shafts or thermal conduction through the media these pipes carry 

BS EN 1366-5 does not cover the risk of damage produced by thermal elongation or shortening of tubes and cables as a result of fire or damaged pipe suspensions. This document does not give guidance on how to test one-, two- or three-sided service ducts or shafts. 

NOTE-Guidance on testing service ducts and shafts of less than four sides will be covered in the extended field of application rules being developed by CEN/TC 127. 

Who is BS EN 13665 for?  

BS EN 1366-5 on assessing fire resistance of service shafts and ducts is useful for: 

• Manufacturers and suppliers of ducts and shafts 
• Testing authorities 
• Fire safety and fire extinguishing agencies 
• Installers 
• Civil engineers 

Why should you use BS EN 1366-5?  

Fire rated service ducts and shafts are vital for any building, new or existing, to establish an efficient firestopping system that when correctly installed can help save lives in the event of a fire.  

BS EN 1366-5 can help in assessing the ability of a service duct or shaft to resist the spread of fire from one fire compartment to another with fire attack from inside or outside the duct or shaft. The test specimens incorporate joints, service outlets, and access openings as intended in practice and are suspended as they would be in practice.  

BS EN 1366-5 provides critical, life safety, fire-resistant protection for elevator shafts, stairwells, vertical chases, and mechanical enclosures. With BS EN 1366-5, separate building compartments can effectively help limit the spread of fire and smoke. Fire rated ductwork will thus, improve safe operation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems by minimizing the chance of fire spread. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 1366-5-2021 supersedes BS EN 1366‑5:2010, which is withdrawn. 

The following changes have been made- 

• Necessary dated references were updated 
• Clearer rules were given for the scope of the standard 
• Terms and definitions clarified and completed 
• The location of thermocouples was clarified especially when testing the specimen including service outlets and access panels 
• Drawings were improved and aligned to changes