Adligenswil, Switzerland, July 2023 – Sekisui Alveo, European manufacturer of high-quality polyolefin foams, has a new star in its well-known Alveolit product line. Alveolit TA FR 3505 now carries a Class B flammability rating. This is the company’s first foam to achieve this rating under EN 13501. The exceptional fire-resistance rating opens up a range of new possibilities for creating solutions, particularly in construction and industrial applications.

Proven performance and durability have made Alveolit a well-known brand name – and now Sekisui Alveo has achieved another first within this popular product line. Alveolit TA FR 3505 now boasts a Class B flammability rating. The product is a physically crosslinked closed-cell polyolefin foam designed especially for use as in industrial and construction applications. Such applications include pipe insulation, pipe wrapping, and flat roof applications.
 

A high level of fire safety
Class B designates a high level of fire safety; only Class A is higher. The Class B flammability classification indicates that the material will not lead to a flashover situation. Alveolit TA FR 3505 was formerly rated Class E. The new classification opens up a much wider range of applications for the foam.

The testing of Alveolit TA FR 3505 was conducted in 2022 according to the European standards EN 11925-2:2020 and EN 13823: 2020. The test facility is an independent accredited testing laboratory specialised in flammability testing of materials. Certification in accordance with the classification standard EN13501-1:2019 was issued in October 2022.

Latest test methods
The test method used is known as “single burning item” and was conducted in accordance with standard EN 13823. This test method is suitable for determining the reaction to fire behaviour of building products, excluding flooring. The test evaluates the potential contribution of a product to the development of a fire in a fire situation simulating a single burning item in a room corner near that product. The test is used to determine fire growth rate, flame spread, and heat release. Additional classifications are smoke production and flaming droplets/particles.

The Alveolit TA FR 3505 sample tested was anthracite coloured Alveolit TA FR 3505, 5 mm thick, with a density of 29 kg/m3, glued to a galvanized steel sheet 1 mm thick. The foam is offered in a range of thicknesses, which are available on request. Thicknesses from 3 mm to 10 mm can be certified according to standard EN13501-1:2019 on demand.

New applications now possible
Fabian Leuthard, Application Development Manager at Sekisui Alveo, says «This is our first foam to achieve the Class B flammability rating in accordance with EN 13501-1. We look forward to seeing it used in new applications that the new rating makes possible.»

EN 13501-1 sets forth the current European classification system for the characterisation of the reaction to fire behaviour of construction products. This European standard has replaced the previous national standards including DIN 4102, BKZ, the French M1, and Classo Uno. Under this standard, products are tested in simulated end-use applications. Classification of wall and ceiling products is based on a scenario with the fire starting in a small room by a single burning item as defined by EN 13823.