This document specifies a method for determining the fire resistance of horizontal service ducts and vertical service shafts, which pass through walls or floors and enclose pipes and cables, to classify them according to EN 13501-2. The test scenario examines the behaviour of ducts and shafts exposed to fire either from outside or from inside the system. This document is intended to be read in conjunction with EN 1363-1.
This document does not examine the risk of fire spread as a result of thermal conduction along the piping or cabling installed in service ducts or shafts or thermal conduction through the media these pipes carry. It does not cover the risk of damage produced by thermal elongation or shortening of tubes and cables as a result of fire or damaged pipe suspensions. This document does not give guidance on how to test one, two or three sided service ducts or shafts.
NOTE Guidance on testing service ducts and shafts of less than four sides will be covered in the extended field of application rules being developed by CEN/ TC 127.
This test can be used for systems with boards and also for such systems with continuous covering with intumescent materials on the boards. It cannot be used for systems where intumescent material is only applied in the range of the penetration.
This test is unsuitable for evaluating service ducts or shafts with internal barriers at walls and floors.
This test is unsuitable for evaluating fire protective systems for cable systems and associated components with maintenance of integrity in case of fire. This is covered by EN 1366-11: Fire protective systems for cable systems and associated components - Part 11: Fire protective systems for cable systems and associated components.
Whilst the walls of service ducts or shafts tested to this method may provide specified levels of integrity or insulation, testing according this document does not replace the testing of the functional endurance of small electrical cables which is covered in EN 50200.
Fire resistance testing of ducts for air distribution systems is covered in EN 1366-1.