CE MARKING INCLUDING FIRE PERFORMANCE

Why CE Mark?



In order to allow the free movement and sale of construction products within the European market, the European Community adopted the Construction Products Directive [CPD] in December 1988. This intent required the removal of national barriers to trade through the adoption of 6 'Essential Requirements' to protect the health and safety of citizens within the European Community.

What's involved?

Part of the CE Mark criteria is the product's performance in fire. To declare this performance, it has been necessary to develop and adopt harmonised Product Standards and Fire Test methods for evaluating products that are recognised by all
EC Member States.

The harmonised evaluation process relies on various product attributes, including performance in the early stages of a fire [Reaction to Fire] and, in some cases, the performance in a fully developed fire as part of an installed system [Resistance to Fire].

A bit more detail .

CE Marking is not the result of fire testing alone.
The new European Product Standard or European Technical Approval Guideline, ETAG, will state :

 which type of Fire Performance needs evaluating
 which Fire Tests have to be undertaken to evaluate the performance
 what level of Attestation of Conformity is required to verify the Factory Production Control process in the manufacture of the product.

Agreed system levels of Attestation of Conformity will apply to each product. Those claiming the best performance will be tested more thoroughly to the highest level.

Fire tests must be conducted at an Approved Fire Laboratory, and the results processed by an Approved Notified Body, to provide a Certificate of Conformity that includes a 'European Classification' for the fire performance of the product or system.

The product/system manufacturer will make the Declaration of Conformity for fire performance within the CE Marking label applied at the point of production.