BS EN 1366-1:2014+A1:2020

What is BS EN 1366-1 about?  

BS EN 1366 discusses fire resistance in structures. BS EN 1366-1 is the first part of the BS EN 1366 multi-series and elaborates on tests for fire resistance ventilation ducts. BS EN 1366-1 specifies a method for determining the fire resistance of vertical and horizontal ventilation ducts including those access panels, which are an integral part of the tested ducts. The test examines the behaviour of ducts exposed to fire from the outside and fire inside the duct.  

Note: BS EN 1366-1 is not applicable to: 

• Ducts whose fire resistance depends on the fire resistance performance of a ceiling or wall (where ducts are located in cavities enclosed by fire-resistant shafts or ceilings) 
• Ducts containing fire dampers at points where they pass through fire separations 
• One-, two- or three-sided ducts 
• Fixing of suspension devices (e.g., anchors) to floors or walls 

Who is BS EN 1366-1 for? 

BS EN 1366-1 on fire resistance ventilation ducts is useful for: 

• Architects 
• Builders / contractors 
• Civil Engineer 
• Health / safety / regulatory bodies  

Why should you use BS EN 1366-1?  

Planning in advance can mitigate risks when an actual fire occurs. One way to minimize the spread of fire in a building is to compartmentalize it. Fire resistance ventilation ducts are used to guarantee fire compartmentation. More precisely, fire-rated ventilation ducts can avoid fire and heat spread between two compartments.  

BS EN 1366-1 provides you with a test to measure the ability of a representative ventilation duct assembly/system that is part of an air distribution system to resist the spread of fire from one fire compartment to another with fire attack from inside or outside the duct. It is applicable to vertical and horizontal ducts, with or without branches, considering joints and openings, as well as suspension devices and penetration points. 

The test in BS EN 1366-1 measures the length of time for which ducts, of specified dimensions, suspended as they would be in practice, satisfy defined criteria when exposed to fire from (separately) both inside and outside the duct.  The test in BS EN 1366-1 considers the effect of fire exposure from the outside where a pressure differential is maintained in the duct as well as the effect of fire entering the ducts in conditions where forced air movement may or may not be present. Implementing the tests described in BS EN 1366-1 helps you to design structures safer buildings. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 1366-1:2014+A1:2020 supersedes BS EN 1366-1:2014, which is withdrawn. BS EN 1366-1:2014+A1:2020 includes some technical and editorial changes with respect to BS EN 1366-1:2014. These include: 

• Kitchen extract ducts have been added 
• Notes on performance criteria for kitchen extract ducts or ducts with internal combustible linings has been added