Scope Analysis: Why planning before testing matters
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
So, you want your products tested. Maybe you’re in the process of transitioning from BS 476 to BS EN test evidence ahead of the September 2029 deadline. It’s time to take a short pause.
Have you considered what your testing will cover, the cost of the test program and the possible gaps in your scope?
Without a scope analysis, your test program could cost thousands of pounds more than necessary. You could miss opportunities to extend your scope, or worse, miss key evidence from your scope that prevents your product going to market.
What is a scoping analysis?
A scoping analysis is an expert review of your product wish list. The individual, or team, will review your existing product fire test evidence and your wish list to create a plan of testing to achieve the maximum product scope coverage.
This exercise will minimise the testing required by considering how tests results can be extended using Direct Field of Application Rules (DIAP) and an Extended Field of Application under the BS EN 15269 series where applicable.
Protect your investment
A single fire resistance test can cost upwards of £9,000 depending on the complexity and length of time. Add into that the cost to manufacture and install the specimen, you want to make sure that you protect your investment. Without a scoping analysis, you might:
Test a non-worst-case specimen (leaving a gap in your testing requiring another test).
Miss a critical variation
Duplicate testing unnecessarily
You don’t just lost money. You lose time, delay product launch and miss commercial opportunities.
What a scoping analysis should deliver
When done by an industry expert, your scoping analysis should deliver a:
Visibility of your coverage limits.
A roadmap of a defined test program including sampling.
A pathway to achieving a full scope covering through an EXAP.
Visibility of your coverage limits.
Timeline to achieve a full scope including an Extended Field of Application (EXAP).
A pathway to third-party certification.
This lets you move forward with control, knowing what your spending, what you’re testing, and what it will cover.
Planning for 2029 and beyond
Manufacturers should be preparing for 2nd September 2029 when BS 476 fire resistance test evidence will no longer support compliance with Approved Document B. If you plan to sell products in the market beyond 2029, you need to ask yourself…
Have you covered your full product scope with BS EN testing?
Do you have a program of testing planned?
Have you mapped every commercial variant of your product required beyond 2029?
If the answer is no to any of these, a scoping analysis could save you thousands.
Protect your investment, contact a member of our technical team about your scoping analysis by clicking here.
