Wood effect powder achieves
A2 ‘Reaction to Fire’ rating
December 2019

Powdertech Wood Finish (PWF ™), a popular architectural finish that can be applied to both aluminium and steel, has successfully demonstrated that, as tested, it meets all of the Reaction to Fire Standards for fire classification A2-s1,d0.  

Building Regulations currently state that for relevant buildings with a storey at least 18m above ground level, external walls and thus façade materials are required to achieve a reaction to fire classification of A2-s1, d0. Full compliance was confirmed after PWF underwent tests at Warringtonfire Testing and Certification Limited.  Classification A2 means very limited contribution to fire, s1 means smoke emission is absent or weak  and d0 means that there are no flaming droplets.

The test sequence included EN13823 single burning item test of the finish as applied to an aluminium substrate to measure fire growth rate, total heat release, total smoke production and smoke growth rate and EN ISO 1716, bomb calorimeter test to ascertain the calorific value of the material components. Powdertech Wood Finish, as tested, achieves a reaction to fire classification A2 with smoke production s1 and flaming droplets d0, (A2-s1, d0). Fire growth rate is 100% below the maximum allowed, total heat release is 95% below the maximum allowed and there are no flaming droplets – the coating does not melt. The completed test report numbers are Extended Application Report WF 420819 and Reaction to Fire Performance WF 420820. Powdertech has produced a tabulated summary of the test report, available as a download from the company website www.powdertechcorby.co.uk.

“We are naturally delighted with this result,” said Richard Besant, Director, Powdertech.

“With an increased awareness of the role of building products in the achievement of fire safety, following major disasters and lesser known fires, Powdertech felt that the time was right to confirm the reaction to fire classification of Powdertech Wood Finish.”

PWF was originally developed and tested to current powder coating standards in 2000 and has nearly 20 successful years of external exposure in real life applications. In 2018 the system was independently tested at PRA World to the latest standards EN 12206-1 and Qualicoat edition 15 specifications. These standard coating tests were successful, report Nr 77780-327b, November 2018.

www.powdertech.co.uk