The safety of people inside buildings depends on the exterior envelope’s ability to slow the spread of flames. The Technical Building Code (CTE DB-SI 2) establishes the minimum fire reaction class for facades based on their total height. Find solutions that comply with current standards through a company specializing in composite panel cladding and ventilated facades.
European Classification of Materials’ Reaction to Fire
Building components are tested in accredited laboratories to evaluate their fire performance, smoke opacity, and particle emission.
Components of the Euroclasses scale
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A1 and A2: Noncombustible materials or materials that do not contribute to fire. -
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B: Very limited contribution to the fire. -
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s1, s2, s3: Smoke production levels, with s1 being the safest. -
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d0, d1, d2: Production of swollen droplets; d0 indicates no detachment.
What class does the CTE require based on the height of the facade?
Source: CTE DB-SI 2, sections 1.4 and 1.5. For facades up to 18 m high where the base is accessible to the public from the street or from a roof, the cladding and insulation of the cavity must be at least B-s3,d0 for the lower 3.5 m. What this means for composite panels: For facades, we recommend the FR core (the most commonly used) or the A2 core (also suitable for residential buildings), depending on the class required by the project. We do not recommend PE for facades or near heat sources.
Risk Prevention for Ventilated Facades
The CTE calls for limiting the vertical extent of the ventilated chamber to the height of the floor slabs that separate fire compartments; installing E 30 barriers in the chamber is a valid way to do this.
Always request the Declaration of Performance (DoP) and the fire reaction classification report for the panel, and verify that its class covers the height of your facade.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Safety Regulations for Composite Facades
For exterior cladding, from D-s3,d0 (facades up to 10 m) to B-s3,d0 (over 18 m); for insulation in the ventilated cavity, up to A2-s3,d0 on facades over 28 m.
This indicates that the material produces very low smoke density (s1) and does not emit flaming droplets during combustion (d0).
We do not recommend it for facades: for exterior use, we use FR or A2, depending on the class required by the project. PE is used for signs, interiors, and small parts, away from heat sources.
It is a horizontal barrier (E 30) installed in the room at the level of the floor slabs to prevent fire from spreading upward through it. Intumescent barriers allow air to pass through and seal shut when exposed to heat.
You must require the CE marking and the test report issued by a laboratory accredited by the relevant national authorities.
Section SI 2 of the CTE classifies facades based on their height, not on their use. The building’s use affects other requirements (evacuation, fire zones), which are defined by the project engineer.