This part of this European Prestandard specifies a test method for determining the contribution made by applied
fire protection systems to the fire resistance of structural steel members, which can be used as beams, columns or
tension members.
The evaluation is designed to cover a range of thicknesses of the applied fire protection material, a range of steel
sections, characterized by their section factors, a range of design temperatures and a range of valid fire protection
classification periods.
This European Prestandard applies to fire protection materials where the gap between the material and the flange
faces of the steel member is less than 5 mm in size. Otherwise, the test methods in ENV 13381-1 or
ENV 13381-2, as appropriate, apply.
This European Prestandard contains the fire test which specifies the tests which should be carried out to determine
the ability of the fire protection system to remain coherent and fixed to the steelwork, and to provide data on the
thermal characteristics of the fire protection system, when exposed to the standard temperature/time curve specified
in EN 1363-1.
In special circumstances, where specified in national building regulations, there can be a need to subject reactive
protection material to a smouldering curve. The test for this and the special circumstances for its use are described
in annex A.
The fire test methodology makes provision for the collection and presentation of data which can be used as direct
input to the calculation of fire resistance of steel structural members in accordance with the procedures given in
ENV 1993-1-2.
This European Prestandard also contains the assessment which prescribes how the analysis of the test data should
be made and gives guidance on the procedures by which interpolation should be undertaken.
The assessment procedure is used to establish:
a) on the basis of temperature data derived from testing loaded and unloaded sections, a correction factor
and any practical constraints on the use of the fire protection system under fire test conditions, (the
physical performance);
b) on the basis of the temperature data derived from testing short steel column sections, the thermal
properties of the fire protection system, (the thermal performance).
The limits of applicability of the results of the assessment arising from the fire test are defined, together with
permitted direct application of the results to different steel sections and grades and to different fire protection
systems and fixings.
The results of the test and assessment obtained according to this part of ENV 13381 are directly applicable to steel
sections of "I" and "H" cross sectional shape. Guidance is given in annex B on the application of the data obtained
from "I" and "H" steel sections to other section shapes.