the new EU Regulation in the Journal

It was published in Official Journal of the European Union of 16 June 2024, series L, il
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1681 of 6 March 2024, which integrates Regulation (EU) no. 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council, defining
performance classes in relation to
fire resistant of the construction products.

Fire resistance of construction products: new performance classes defined

The regulation repeals Commission Decision 2000/367/EC which had established a system of classification of the performance of construction products with regards to fire resistance, now obsolete compared to the essential characteristics of current products.

The new reference is precisely the Regulation, which provides definitions, tests and performance criteriafully described or referred to in European fire resistance classification standards, harmonized European product standards, European testing standards and relevant parts of the Eurocodes.

The performance classes

Specifically, they settle performance classes updated to the latest technological and market developments, for use in harmonized standards:

R – Bearing capacity
E – Held
I – Isolation
W – Irradiation
M – Mechanical action
C – Automatic closing device
C0-5 – Durability of the automatic closing device:
S – Smoke sealing/control
P – Current continuity or signaling capability along the standard time-temperature curve
PH – Current continuity or signaling capability at constant temperature
G/O – Soot resistance
K – Fire protection capacity
T – Temperature class
D – Duration of stability at constant temperature
DH – Duration of stability along the standard time-temperature curve
F – Functionality of forced smoke and heat extractors
B – Functionality of natural smoke and heat evacuators

The text also specifies that, in the case of asymmetric elements, if the declared class of the element is valid only for one side, the class must be accompanied by information on the matter.

Fire resistance: construction products included in the new regulation

The performance classes are expressed in minutes, unless otherwise indicated, for these types of products:

Load-bearing elements without fire compartment function: Walls, floors, false floors, roofs, beams, columns, balconies, walkways, stairs.
Load-bearing elements with fire compartment function: Walls; Floors, roofs, roof windows, skylights and closing systems, false floors.
Products and systems for the protection of load-bearing elements: Ceilings with no intrinsic fire resistance; Internal (reactive) and external coatings, panels (slabs and mats), plasters (spray) and fireproof screens.
Non-load-bearing elements or products with fire compartment function: Partitions (including partitions with non-insulated parts) and fixed windows; Load-free roofs; Internal fire barriers; Ceilings with intrinsic fire resistance; Facades (partition walls) and external walls (including glazing elements); Non-mechanical fire barriers for ventilation ducts; Penetration sealants; Combined penetration sealants; Linear joint sealing; Fire resistant doors, openable windows (in walls and roofs), openable skylights and locking systems (including those with glazing, locks and other window fittings); Closures of passages intended for conveyor belts and guided transport systems; Ventilation grills; Service ducts and shafts; Chimneys; Wall and ceiling coverings.
Products intended for ventilation systems (excluding smoke and heat extraction systems): Fire resistant ventilation ducts; Fire dampers.
Products intended for use in electrical service supply, power control and communication systems in buildings: Fire protection systems for cable systems and related components; Unprotected electrical, power control and communication cables with intrinsic fire resistance; Unprotected small diameter electrical, power control and communication cables with intrinsic fire resistance (diameter 2).
Products for use in smoke and heat control systems: Single compartment smoke control ducts; Multi-compartment fire-resistant smoke control ducts; Single compartment smoke control dampers; Fire resistant smoke control dampers for multiple compartments; Barriers to smoking; Forced smoke and heat extractors (ventilators), including connectors; Natural smoke and heat evacuators.