BS EN 13381-7:2019

What is BS EN 13381-7 – Fire resistance of protection applied to timber structures about?  

BS EN 13381-7 is the seventh part of the EN 13381 multi-series that discusses test methods to determine the contribution to the fire resistance of structural members.  This European standard helps its user construct buildings that have a higher resistance to fire hazards and therefore are safe for residency or business operations. 

BS EN 13381-7 specifies test methods for determining the contribution of fire protection kits to 

the fire resistance of structural timber members. Such fire protection kits include claddings, sprayed fire protection and reactive coatings. 

The method is applicable to all fire protection kits used for the protection of timber members. 

These can be fixed directly, totally or in part, to the timber member and can include an air gap between the fire protection kit and the timber member, as an integral part of its design. The test method is applicable to the determination of the contribution of fire protection kits to the fire resistance of loadbearing timber structural members including floors, roofs, walls, beams and columns. 

Note1: Evaluation of timber constructions protected by horizontal or vertical protective membranes are the subject of BS EN 13381-1 or BS EN 13381-2 respectively. 

Who is BS EN 13381-7 – Fire resistance of protection applied to timber structures for? 

BS EN 13381-7  on fire resistance of timber structures is useful for: 

• Architects 
• Real estate developers 
• Civil engineers 

Why should you use BS EN 13381-7 – Fire resistance of protection applied to timber structures?  

Timber structures are widely used in the construction sector because of their sustainability and reliability aspects. However, their combustible nature poses a threat to the overall integrity of the building. National regulations are in place limiting the use of timber in buildings to specific quantities and also verifying the fire resistance of these structures. 

BS EN 13381-7  specifies the test that helps you determine the ability of the fire protection kit to stay attached to the timber structure and protect it from fire. BS EN 13381-7 also contains the assessment which indicates how the analysis of the test data should be made and gives guidance to the procedures by which interpolation should be undertaken. 

BS EN 13381-7 helps you to determine and evaluate the effectiveness of the fire protection kits used in timber structures. This helps you in building a more reliable timber structure with enhanced fire resistance. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 13381-7:2019 supersedes ENV 13381-7:2002. The main changes in BS EN 13381-7:2019  compared to ENV 13381-7:2002 are: 

• New test procedures have been introduced to address the different fields of applications of fire protection systems on solid timber products and timber frame assemblies in horizontal and vertical position and the design models available in EN 1995-1-2 
• Loaded tests are performed using large-scale test specimens depending on their intended use on walls or ceilings. 
• The start of charring and the stickability is measured with thermocouples on the timber member(s) surface of a beam specimen or a timber frame specimen. 
• Charring behind a fire protection system is measured using charring specimens embedded in the cavity insulation of a timber frame specimen. 
• Interpolation of results for different thicknesses of fire protection system is not allowed