Manufacturers of Multi Foil Insulation and Reflective Breathable Membranes, loft conversion, re-roofing, timber frame walls, offsite construction of volumetric modular units, A1 non-combustible to BS EN 13501-1

Fire Rating Standards

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:

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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
HYBRIS
Unfaced Glass Mineralwool
Unfaced Rock Mineralwool
PIR
PUR
Phenolic
Polystyrene XPS & EPS

Our journey to A1 non-combustible

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:
  • A1 non-combustible multi foils
  • A1 non-combustible reflective vapour control layer
  • A1 non-combustible W2 reflective breathable wall membrane