5/12/2024
Efectis UK/Ireland recently presented groundbreaking research at the 4th European Symposium on Fire Safety Science, which took place in Barcelona, Spain between 9 – 11 October 2024. The study focused on the timber fuel source used in the BS 8414 test method, a key standard for evaluating the fire performance of External Wall Systems (EWS).
Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, the timber fire source specified in BS 8414 has been widely scrutinized. To address these concerns, our research deployed a multi-scale testing approach to assess the thermal performance and reliability of the timber crib fire source. Small-scale bomb calorimeter tests (ISO 1716) evaluated the energy content at varying moisture levels, while large-scale tests characterized the crib’s combustion behavior in both free-burn conditions and within the BS 8414 combustion chamber.
Measurements included mass loss, heat release rate, chamber temperatures, and heat flux at critical points. Results showed high repeatability and aligned well with historical and ongoing European data. The study revealed that the heat flux levels generated were sufficient to ignite various façade materials, offering essential benchmarking data.
This research aims to support scientific and regulatory bodies in enhancing the safety of high-rise buildings by refining standardization processes for EWS testing. Efectis remains at the forefront of innovation in standardized fire test methods and fire science, delivering cutting-edge insights that shape the global fire safety landscape. With every breakthrough, we reaffirm our dedication to driving industry standards forward and ensuring safer, more resilient structures worldwide.
Contact: uk@efectis.com