Grenfell changed how we all view Fire Safety
Insulation materials and construction membranes have varying levels of combustibility. Highly combustible materials can contribute to fire development and spread, particularly in the early stages of a fire when evacuation is crucial.
A1 non-combustible is exactly as the name suggests, it doesn't burn, therefore it won't contribute to the spread of fire. It can also help prevent the fire from spreading from one area to another.
The Photon range of products are now available A1 non-combustible to BS EN13501-1 .
Typical Euroclass Reaction to Fire Classifications:
| 🔥 | 🔥 | 🔥 | 🔥 | 🔥 | 🔥 | |
| A1 | A2 | B | C | D | E | F |
| Non combustible | Limited combustibility | Very limited contribution to fire | Limited contribution to fire | Medium contribution to fire | High contribution to fire | Easily flammable |
|
PhotonFoil-A1
PhotonFrame-A1 PhotonWrap-A1 PhotonCheck-A1 |
TLX Silver | TLX Gold SuperQuilt SuperFOIL SF19 TF200 Thermo Reflectashield TF |
Acits: HControlHybrid |
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| Unfaced Glass Mineralwool Unfaced Rock Mineralwool |
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| PIR PUR Phenolic |
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| Polystyrene XPS & EPS | ||||||
Started post Grenfell with our timber frame customers asking us for non-combustible wall membranes and multi foil insulation. They were surprised that there weren’t any non-combustible breathable wall membranes available.
Many of our customers believed that "Class 1 surface spread of flame” reflective wall membranes that they were using were non-combustible but had not realised they were also Euroclass E and that they ignite within 15 seconds and have a “high contribution to fire” (see table above). These "Class 1 " ratings only relate to the aluminium surface not the easily flammable textile backing.
Our A1 range of products gives added fire safety during construction and maintenance, when buildings are exposed to accidental fire or the possibility of arson.
Whilst our A1 range was designed with our timber frame customers in mind it is Suitable for use in many external wall types (timber frame, metal stud, concrete etc.) for buildings which pose a higher risk for fire safety: residential blocks of flats, student accommodations, care homes, sheltered housing, hospitals, dormitories in boarding schools with a storey above 18 m in height and high risk residential buildings (HRRB).
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) submitted evidence to the Government’s consultation on banning the use of combustible materials in the external walls of high-rise residential buildings. The RIBA recommends European Classification A1 rather than A2 in the external wall construction, to protect against production of smoke and flaming particles/droplets.
We now have a range of: