Mineral wool panels
Is a mineral wool panel non-combustible and what does A2-s1,d0 actually mean?
In brief
Mineral wool and a finished insulated wall panel are not the same product. The panel also contains facings, adhesives and joints. The classification of the whole product must therefore be checked. The A2-s1,d0 designation is also not a substitute for EI. The first concerns reaction to fire, the second the behaviour of the wall in a specific assembly. The core is one of the panel’s components. In the finished element it works together with the steel facings and the other materials. The properties of the mineral wool alone cannot automatically be attributed to the whole product. The declaration relating to the specific panel must be read.
Why does the core class not describe the whole panel?
In practice, panels with a mineral wool core classified as A2-s1,d0 may be encountered. This designation should not be changed to A1 simply because the mineral material is associated with non-combustibility. The difference in designation is not a linguistic detail. The project and order documentation should retain the exact class. A short commercial description does not replace the product classification.
How should the individual parts of A2-s1,d0 be understood?
A2 specifies the reaction-to-fire class according to the relevant classification system. The additional s1 designation relates to limited smoke production under test conditions. It does not mean a complete absence of smoke or the absence of all harmful fire products.
The d0 symbol refers to flaming droplets and particles in a specific test. It is not a general promise that nothing will fall from the building during every real fire. The classification describes a specific product and defined conditions. This precision is worth retaining, especially when materials are compared on the basis of short slogans. The slogan ‘non-combustible board’ does not convey the full information.
How does EI differ from reaction to fire?
EI relates to the fire resistance of an element. E denotes fire integrity, and I fire insulation. The number next to these letters refers to the time for which the criteria are met under classification conditions. It is not a simple timer for any fire in a real building.
If R also appears, it relates to fire load-bearing capacity. Therefore EI for a wall and REI for a roof are not interchangeable designations. The function of the element and the project requirements must be checked. A mineral wool core alone does not automatically confer an EI 60 or EI 120 class. A verified assembly of panels, supports, fixings and connections is required.
How does the wall geometry affect the classification?
The result may depend on the span, the direction of installation and the method of fixing the panels. A vertical arrangement does not have to have the same range as a horizontal one. The supporting structure and the fire exposure conditions are also important.
Where a wall has a large gate, the opening and its closure must be taken into account. A service penetration also interrupts the continuity of the separating element. It is not enough to select a panel with the appropriate position in the table if it is later cut arbitrarily. Every detail should correspond to the adopted solution. A change in purlin spacing or facing thickness may require the classification range to be rechecked.
What does the absence of a declared resistance mean?
In documents one may encounter NPD, meaning no performance determined. This should not be treated as a zero value, nor should the result be supplemented independently on the basis of an adjacent thickness in the table. It means that no declared parameter has been given for that item.
If the project requires a specific resistance, a solution with the appropriate confirmation must be selected. It cannot be justified by stating that a thicker board with a similar core achieved a good result. Data concerning the actual variant are needed. This also applies to substitutes supplied during construction, even if they have the same colour and nominal thickness.
How can the order and execution be checked?
Compare the panel identification with the project documentation. Check the thickness, facings, joint, layout and permissible spans. Pay attention to the connection with the foundation, roof and adjacent walls. The required function must be maintained around the entire perimeter of the separating element.
- Confirm the reaction to fire class of the entire panel.
- Check the correct EI or REI classification of the system.
- Agree the openings and service penetrations.
- Keep the documents and the record of detail acceptance.
Do not assess fire protection solely from a photograph of the finished façade. Some significant elements are hidden. Inspection must therefore cover the design solution and the workmanship during installation, not just the final appearance of the wall.
If the use of the rooms changes during occupancy, the requirements must be checked again. Previous compliance of the enclosure does not automatically cover the new function.
Questions before ordering
Does A2-s1,d0 automatically mean EI 120?
No. These are different classifications. The reaction to fire of the product does not by itself determine the fire resistance of the complete wall and its joints.
Can a panel with mineral wool be shortened freely without affecting the fire requirements?
This should not be assumed. The end, support and joint solutions covered by the documentation must be maintained. A change in geometry requires verification.
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