A wide range of tests, including fire testing, can be carried out in the Efectis Group laboratories with burners, calorimeters and smoke measuring instruments.
Igniting all types of products in a specific way over a period of time can help to determine the fire performance of a product and its contribution to the development of a fire. Ignitability, heat release, smoke generation and weight loss can be measured by testing
All this information is needed to determine the product properties during fire and helps us build a safer world.
It is advisable to investigate and establish fire behavior in an early stage, especially for newly developed materials. Efectis likes to think ahead, offering an optimized research program and a testing strategy, performing tests on a short-term basis. Added value can be found in a comprehensive set of tailor-made solutions and special testing programs based on current scientific knowledge.
Building materials have to fulfil the requirements stated in rules and regulations. Based on the client’s demands and the possibilities offered in the standards, Efectis can set up a research program that minimizes the amount of testing and maximizes the results (for different product types and ranges of thickness, density, etc.).
EN 13501-1 is the European classification for construction products and building elements: A1, A2 and B to F, s1, s2, s3 (smoke) and d0, d1 and d2 (flaming droplets).
A small selection from the wide range:
Also, periodic verification for CE certification is in good hands at Efectis.
Accredited laboratory for more than 30 years, Efectis testing facilities are top of the line in technical excellence. Our laboratories are equipped to respond effectively to any testing requests, from the simplest to the most complex tests. Efectis has:
Thanks to its wide range of equipments, Efectis is able to test or assess likely all the products that need to prove their Fire Resistance. For example, the products and building elements whose fire behavior is tested in our laboratories include:
As a manufacturer, if you own your own furnace, Efectis is also able to perform official accredited tests using your installation.
In addition to standard fire tests, Efectis is able to perform non fire tests in order to offer a complete range of services for each type of product.
Where the additional performance M is required, three impact tests with a 10 kg bag are performed onto the wall within 5 min after the classification period.
Firstly, Efectis performs smoke leakage tests according to the EN 1634-3 standard, on elements whose maximal dimensions are 3000 x 3000 mm (W x H). These tests lead to “Sa” and “Sm” performance ratings. This test bench can also be used for the smoke barrier according to EN 12101-1.
Furthermore, Efectis is also able to perform cycling test to check resistance of fire doors to repeated opening and closing according to EN 1191 up to 1 million cycles. In addition, Efectis is able to perform functionnality tests for the French market such the ones according to NF S 61-937-2 and NF S 61-937-3.
Test complementary to fire tests can be required for penetrations seals, especially for Nuclear Power Plant applications and in a context of CE Marking according to the EAD 350141-00-1106. These tests are carried-out prior or after to fire exposure, or independently from them:
Additional tests can be required for linear joint seals, especially for Nuclear Power Plant applications. These tests are realized prior or after to fire exposure, or independently from them:
In addition to the cycling and air tightness test performed for dampers in accordance to EN 1366-2 and EN 1366-10, for Nuclear Power Plants, special requirements have been adapted to the situation of consecutive problems. A FD or SCD has to successfully pass 4 tests:
For Nuclear Power Plants, the ageing of certain components, such as FD, SCD and intumescent joints, are studied using various tests:
For all above specified products, Efectis can perform a hose stream test, directly after the end of the fire endurance test. This test can be performed in accordance with many different test standards from UL, ASTM, FM, USNRC…etc, and using different nozzle (solid stream, fog nozzles….etc).
Efectis has developed a special qualification program, in order to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of firefighting equipment. Relying on fire scenarios, each system or operational method can be evaluated.
A scenario can be proposed as a point of reference regardless of the systems used. This scenario helps to determine the efficiency of firefighting equipment, in terms of:
The effectiveness of the equipment can be determined according to the thermal protection capacity in real fire situations.
The assessment is based on a measuring dummy instrumented with 122 thermal sensors enabling the measurement of thermal protection time (TOMM by Efectis).
The jet fire standard ISO 22899-1:2007 consists of simulating the thermal and mechanical loads resulting from high-pressure releases of flammable gas. Jet fires give rise to high convective and radiative heat fluxes as well as high erosive forces.
The UL 1709 standard “Rapid Rise Fire Test of Protection Materials for Structural Steel” is one of the oldest and most frequently used furnace test standards for the Oil and Gas industry. The temperature rises from ambient temperature to 1093°C close to the test specimen within 5 minutes and is 154°C above the HC temperature time curve at 5 minutes.
The tests will be realized under ISO 17025 accreditation.