On completion of the test, the responsible officer will confirm the results within 24 hrs. This will be followed by a comprehensive draft report within 14 days.

Unlike fire resistance tests under British Standards, European standards provide a Direct Field of Application (DIAP) which detail the permissible changes from what was tested. An Extended Field of Application (EXAP) can also be undertaken which offers a great scope of variations than a DIAP.

Third-party certification is independent verification that a product or service fulfils certain criteria. With passive fire protection products, this normally involves a certification body assessing test results, carrying out a factory production control audit and undertaking periodic inspections to ensure constancy of performance. UKTC work with many approved certification providers, including Bluesky Certification, IFC Certification and UL Solutions.

UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking is the new product marking which will be required for certain products placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).

The Construction Products Regulation in Great Britain states that any Construction Product covered by a UK Designated Standard must be UKCA marked.

The right fire test facility and provider should take into account your specific needs in order to provide you with accurate results. Here are some things you may want to consider when deciding on a fire testing laboratory:Experience level of staff membersServices offered by the lab (e.g. sampling, installation, certification, etc)Size and capabilities of the lab (e.g. what fire testing equipment they have available)Report quality and turnaround timeLead time for testsCost of services renderedDon't forget to check their UKAS accreditation. Without it, your test evidence is unlikely to be accepted by your customers.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the national accreditation body for the United Kingdom, appointed by the government to assess and accredit organisations that provide services relating to testing, inspection and certification.

Accreditation by UKAS is crucial for organisations as it demonstrates competence, impartiality and performance capability in line with the standards on the scope of accreditation. ​Product information, including fire test reports, that carry the UKAS symbol can only be issued by independent, UKAS accredited organisations. This demonstrates to stakeholders that the product's performance claims have been proven by an independent test lab; something that is mandatory on projects across the UK and Europe.

BS EN 1634-1:2014 + A1:2018 is a European standard that specifies the test methods for assessing the fire resistance of door and shutter assemblies, including openable windows and elements of building hardware. This standard is crucial for evaluating how well these components can withstand fire, aiming to restrict fire development, limit its spread, and protect escape routes.

BS 476 Part 22 is a key standard within the UK's building safety regulations that specifies methods for testing the fire resistance of non-loadbearing elements of construction, such as doors, shutters, and various types of ducts and dampers. This standard is instrumental in determining how these elements will perform in the event of a fire, ensuring they meet the necessary safety requirements to protect building occupants and property.

Full-scale Fire Resistance tests are priced from £9,000 plus VAT. However, every test is unique, and fees can vary based on the scope of work involved. During contract review, UKTC personnel will work collaboratively with customers to ensure that the broadest field of application is achieved whilst minimising investment.

BS EN 13501-1 is a European standard that classifies the fire performance of a constriction product. The standard provides a framework, and series of tests used to determine how materials react to fire including its smoke production and flaming droplets. It assigns Euroclass ratings (A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F) to products based on their performance.

Reaction to Fire testing examines the characteristics, such as combustibility, smoke production and flaming droplets, of building materials to determine the product's contribution to fire development and spread.

The tests involved in a Reaction to Fire test program are dependent on the classification the product requires. This will then impact the test. A typical, full scale Reaction to Fire test program of one product can be between £2,000 and £5,000.

It measures how much airborne sound passes through a building element under controlled laboratory conditions. The result shows performance across a range of frequencies and can be converted into a single-number rating.

Rw is a weighted sound reduction index used to summarise laboratory airborne sound insulation performance in one number. The full frequency data remains important when comparing product behaviour.

It may be possible for some products when the tests are planned in the correct sequence. The technical team will confirm suitability, specimen preparation and any limitations before quotation.

Extended Field of Application (EXAP) reports present a prediction of performance based on one or more test results, thereby enabling a broader field of application while maintaining or enhancing performance to product in question.

Every Scope Analysis is unique to the manufacturer. On average, a scoping analysis including the production of a full report will take no longer than two weeks.

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