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Over the last few weeks, representatives of UKTC’s technical and laboratory teams engaged in workshops hosted by Knauf UK & Ireland at their manufacturing facility. The sessions were delivered by Graeme Carmichael, Technical Training Lead at Knauf and included an insight into the manufacturing and quality processes that are at the core of Knauf’s systems. Graeme shared via LinkedIn: “I delivered a technical workshop for our partners at United Kingdon Testing and Certification, focusing on why we test so rigorously and how our expectations and high standards shape the products and systems we put into the market. It was a great session with an engaged group who asked the right questions and were eager to learn.” “The team I worked with are a real credit to UKTC – hardworking, committed, and keen to push their own knowledge forward. It’s always rewarding to work with people who share that same drive for improvement, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they put their learning into practice.” Daniel Fitzsimmons, Head of Testing at UKTC, discussed the collaboration with Knauf UK & Ireland: “Our team found the sessions extremely engaging and enjoyable. These workshops further strengthen our knowledge and skill set to ensure that we can provide an efficient and best-in-class testing experience for Knauf and passive fire product manufacturers across the UK.” UKTC is the trusted provider of fire testing and certification services for construction and passive fire product manufacturers across the UK. We test, inspect and certify to ensure products are safe, quality and compliant. Contact us about your fire testing and certification requirements or to find our more about our services.

What is BS 8644-1 – Digital Management of Fire Safety Information? The new national standard for the Digital Management of Fire Safety Information was established from a recommendation in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety. BS 8644-1:2022 enables a standardized industry-wide approach to the management of fire safety information in the built environment. Who is BS 8644-1 Digital Management of Fire Safety Information for? The intended audience of the standard includes any individual or organization involved in the design, construction, occupation, and maintenance of a built asset. The digital management of information is a crucial contribution to the golden thread, another recommendation from Dame Judith Hackitt’s report. It is the responsibility of each organization to contribute to the golden thread. Therefore, the Digital Management of Fire Safety should be referred to and used by every stakeholder throughout a building’s development and lifecycle. What’s included in the BS 8644-1:2022 Standard? The standard provides recommendations for managing, presenting, and exchanging fire safety information using digital information management processes. BS 8644-1:2022 covers the following stages of the lifecycle of assets in the built environment: Briefing Design Construction Asset Handover Operation Fire & Rescue Intervention The standard also offers guidance to those who don’t directly handle fire safety information. This ensures that all building stakeholders can understand the importance of handling information and how it should be presented and accessed. Why is BS 8644-1:2022 important? Traditionally, the management of fire safety information was handled independently at each stage of a building’s lifespan. This led to obscured information and a broken chain of responsibility. To combat this, Dame Judith recommended that “Government should mandate a digital standard of record-keeping for the design, construction, and during the occupation of new high-rise residential buildings (HRBBs).” The purpose of BS 8644-1:2022 is to ensure that relevant information related to fire safety is made available to the right people at the right time. The standard ensures a transparent allocation of responsibility and a consistent naming convention. This will contribute to a greater knowledge of fire safety and a safer built environment. UKTC Ensure, BS 8644-1:2022 & the Golden Thread Established in response to the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review, UKTC Ensure is the first third-party certification scheme that is wholly aligned with the Golden Thread. As a result, it follows the approach and guidance of BS 8644-1:2022. Unlike legacy systems, UKTC Ensure allows passive fire product manufacturers to create a single source of truth. This is in the form of a secure digital landing page that can be accessed by those who need it, when they need it. To find out more about UKTC Ensure or start your certification journey, click here: https://www.uktc-ensure.com/ The Importance of Digital Management in Fire Safety Digital management of fire safety information is not just a trend; it is a necessity. As buildings become more complex, the need for clear and accessible fire safety information grows. This standard ensures that all stakeholders are on the same page, reducing the risk of miscommunication. Enhancing Safety Through Technology Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing fire safety. By adopting BS 8644-1:2022, organizations can leverage digital tools to manage fire safety information effectively. This not only improves safety but also streamlines processes. Training and Awareness Training is essential for all stakeholders involved in fire safety management. Understanding the BS 8644-1:2022 standard is crucial for effective implementation. Organizations should invest in training programs to ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities. Future of Fire Safety Management The future of fire safety management lies in digital solutions. As technology evolves, so will the standards. BS 8644-1:2022 is a step towards a more integrated approach to fire safety. Organizations must stay updated with these changes to maintain compliance and ensure safety. Conclusion In conclusion, BS 8644-1:2022 is a vital standard for the digital management of fire safety information. It promotes a unified approach to handling fire safety data, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and responsible. By embracing this standard, organizations can enhance safety and contribute to a safer built environment. The digital management of fire safety information is essential for the future of construction and building maintenance. It is a responsibility that all stakeholders must take seriously to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

The Welsh Government has issued significant updates to the Building Regulations 2010 (as amended) and to Approved Document B (Fire Safety, Volumes 1 and 2). A new edition of Approved Document 7 (Materials and Workmanship) 2013 has also been released, now incorporating the 2020 and 2025 amendments. Key Regulatory Amendments The circular letter confirms that amendments affect: Regulation 2(6) – Interpretation Regulation 6 – Requirements relating to material change of use Regulation 7 – Materials and workmanship The principal changes include: Reducing the height threshold for buildings undergoing a “material change of use” from 15m to 11m. Work must ensure compliance with Part B4(1) of Schedule 1, covering external wall requirements. Updating the definition of a “relevant building.” This prohibits combustible materials on external walls of hostels, hotels, and boarding houses. Introducing a ban on relevant metal composite materials as part of external walls. Clarifying product classifications, including the designation of solar shading devices as “specified attachments.” Materials and Fire Safety Provisions The amendments provide further detail on products subject to fire performance requirements: Certain materials are now exempt from reaction-to-fire classification, including fibre optic cables, insulation, waterproofing in specific low-level applications, and the top horizontal floor layer of balconies. In the latter case, compliance may be demonstrated through horizontally tested equivalents under defined circumstances. Changes to Volumes 1 and 2 of Approved Document B introduce new requirements for residential and high-rise buildings: Limits on combustible products in residential buildings between 11m and 18m in height. Mandatory installation of evacuation alert systems. Requirement for secure Information Boxes in all new blocks of flats with any floor 11m or higher. Enhanced floor identification and wayfinding signage for residents and emergency services. The current edition of Approved Document 7 (Materials and Workmanship) with 2020 amendments will be withdrawn on 20 December 2025. An updated version, incorporating the 2020 and 2025 amendments, will take its place. The revised regulations and updated Approved Documents will not apply retrospectively. Where a building notice, initial notice, or full plans have been submitted before the amendments take effect, compliance with the previous standards remains valid—provided work has already commenced or begins within six months of the regulations coming into force. You can read the full details and the issued circular here . Contact our team to discuss and book the testing of your building, construction and passive fire protection materials. UKTC is the trusted testing & certification partner of choice for industry leading manufacturers across the UK & Europe, operating from a state-of-the-art laboratory on the outskirts of Glasgow. Our services include Fire Resistance and Reaction to Fire testing complimented by our Technical Services team offering Extended Field of Application Reports and our Certification team.

Explore the Single Flame Source Test (BS EN ISO 11925-2:2020) which assesses a product's ignitability by direct small-flame impingement. Dive into the test process and criteria here Single Flame Source Test BS EN ISO 11925-2:2020 Single Flame Source Test (BS EN ISO 11925-2:2020) This method specifies a test for determining the ignitability of products by direct small-flame impingement under zero impressed irradiance using vertically oriented test specimens. The test specimens are cut from a sample which is representative of the product to be tested (e.g. it shall be tested as an assembly of component and not individually). When a substrate is used a specimen must be tested with a substrate representative of the end-use application. Each specimen is 250 ±2mm long and 90 ±2mm vide and are conditioned in accordance with 2.3. The samples are tested with 2 exposure conditions to a 20mm flame: Surface exposure – 40mm above bottom edge Edge exposure – at the bottom of the specimen 6 samples must be tested in each exposure – a total of 12 samples. The flame is applied for 15 or 30s, depending on the classification sought. The pass/fail criteria for classification are spread of flame to 150mm for the application of the burner flame.

Discover the non-combustibility test (BS EN ISO 1182:2020) for construction products, ensuring they won't contribute to fire. Understand the testing process and outcomes here. Learn More. Non-Combustibility Testing Non-combustibility test (BS EN ISO 1182:2020) This test identifies products that will not, or not significantly, contribute to fire, regardless of their end use. The fire test has been developed to selected construction products which produce a very limited amount of heat and flame when exposed to temperatures of approximately 750 °C. The test specimen shall be taken from a sample which is sufficiently large to be representative of the product and shall be cylindrical with a volume of 76 ± 8cm³ and diameter of 45+0mm and a height of ± 3mm. For non-homogenous (e.g., layered, or composite products) – each component or layer shall be tested separately. A minimum of 5 samples shall be tested for classification. After conditioning the samples must be dried in an oven at 60±5°C for 20-24hr. Prior to testing each sample is weighed to an accuracy of 0.01g. The samples are then inserted into a furnace that has been stabilised at 750 ±5°C for a minimum period of 30 min. The following data is recorded: Temperature of the furnace Temperature of the specimen centre and surface Any sustained flaming (3s or longer) The sample is then removed, allowed to cool, and weighed again. The test report will show: Mass loss (%) of each sample. Temperature rise of each sample Any sustained flaming

Dive into the BS EN 13823:2020 test process, where we assess building products' reaction to thermal attack by a single burning item. Single Burning Item (SBI) Test BS EN 13823:2020 Building products excluding floorings exposed to the thermal attack by a single burned item (BS EN 13823:2020) This procedure specifies a method of test for determining the rection to fire performance of construction products when exposed to thermal attack by a single burning item (SBI). The test specimen consists of 2 vertical wings forming a right-angled corner. The dimensions of the wings are: The long wing: 1500mm high x 1000mm long. The short wing 1500mm high x 500 + (thickness of long wing) mm long The maximum thickness shall be no more than 200mm. If the product is thicker than 200mm, then thickness shall be reduced on the unexposed side. The samples must be conditioned, a minimum of 3 samples must be tested. The extraction is set to a volume flow of 0.6=-0.05m³/s. Each test specimen is then fixed in the trolley and is exposed to a flame from a burner placed at the bottom of the corner. The flame is obtained by combustion of propane gas and gives heat output of 30.7±2kW. The flame is applied for 20 mins. The test apparatus measures the following: Temperatures of exhaust gases Volume flow in the exhaust Light attenuation (for measurement of smoke density) O2 and CO2 mole fraction of the exhaust gases. These quantities are recorded automatically and are used to calculate the Heat Release Rate (HRR) and Smoke Production Rate (SPR). A visual observation is also measured for flaming droplets an horizontal spread of flame. HRR is used to calculate FIGRA (fire growth rate) at 0.2 and 0.4MJ, and SPR is used to calculate SMOGRA (smoke growth rate). The test report is then written by the highly experienced UKTC team.