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A construction product and/or a building element may be placed on the market with different thicknesses, densities, fixing conditions, substrates, etc. It is not practicable to test all combinations of different product parameters for the reaction to fire performance or fire resistance or external fire exposure performance, although these parameters may substantially influence the test result.
A building element is understood to be a defined construction component, e.g. wall, partition, floor, roof, beam or column.
The process of extended application uses rules which are essentially based on a worst-case scenario and interpolation techniques. There are a number of practical limitations on the size and design of elements that can be tested by the standard methods of test for fire resistance. When these elements are larger, or are of a modified design, there is a necessity to be able to confirm their performance, i.e. whether the classification(s) given in the classification report in relation to the relevant criteria are maintained, without the ability of being able to test them.
EXAP rules limit the number of tests required by implementing methods to determine the fire classification of a range of products (e.g. range of product, larger dimensions etc.) and EXAP rules form a standardized technical agreement on the parameter changes.
The fundamental concept of EXAP is the development of safe methods that provide extensions to the scope of the tested product while maintaining the required classification for the product. Test reports constitute the basis of an EXAP report.
Extended field of application of the EXAP test results is outcome of a process (involving the application of the defined rules in EXAP standards that may incorporate calculation procedures) that allows variation of a product property and/or its intended end use application(s), based on one or more test results to the same test standard.
Note 1: It could be based on additional test measurement requested by EXAP and performed during the test.
Principles of establishing the field of application
1. General
Following a test there are two fields of application that can be derived from the result, direct field of application and extended field of application.
1.1. Direct field of application
1.1.1. Reaction to fire
Direct application of results from reaction to fire tests is undertaken in accordance with EN 13501-1 using results from the relevant EN test methods applicable for the definition of the classification and taking into account information on substrates given in EN 13238 and information in CEN/TS 15117 and any other relevant European Technical Specification.
Direct application of results from reaction to fire tests for power, control and communication cables is undertaken in accordance with EN 13501-6 using results from the relevant EN applicable for the definition of the classification and information from CLC/TS 50576.
1.1.2. Fire resistance and/or smoke control
The rules governing the direct field of application of results from tests are given in the individual test methods.
1.1.3. External fire exposure to roofs
The rules governing the direct field of application of results from external fire exposure to roof tests are given in EN 13501-5.
1.2. Extended field of application
1.2.1. General principles
Extended application should be undertaken by an organization accredited for the relevant test according to EN ISO/IEC 17025 and having also carried out at least one test on the product being considered for the EXAP. If test data are to be used from more than one organization, then the extended application may be undertaken by an organization accredited for the relevant test and consultation may be made with the other organization(s) that performed the test.
The organization preparing the EXAP should confirm with the manufacturer that all relevant data has been made available for the assessment and that they are not aware of any test evidence that would contradict the scope of the EXAP.
When an EXAP Report requires the consideration of evidence from third parties (e.g. test reports, DIAP reports, other EXAP reports, etc.), such evidence shall only be used when permission has been obtained from the original sponsor/owner of that evidence.
Extended application shall be undertaken in accordance with the relevant EXAP standard, which may be supplemented by:
- EN test standards;
- EN product standards;
- EAD;
- EC Decisions/ delegated acts;
- EN 13238;
- CEN/TS 15117;
- CEN/TS 15447;
- CLC/TS 50576.
1.2.2. Reaction to fire
Information on undertaking extended application from the results of reaction to fire tests and an explanation of the influence of product and end use parameters on reaction to fire performance is given in CEN/TS 15117.
1.2.3. Fire resistance and/or smoke control
1.2.3.1. General
The extended field of application analysis is an additional process that has to be applied for and is not granted automatically following a fire resistance and/or smoke control test. An extended field of application analysis is required when the application of the product or building element differs from the test specimen and is not covered by the direct field of application. Details of undertaking extended application of results of tests are covered in the relevant European standards for extended application and other documents referred. The methodology adopted in the prediction of fire resistance and /or smoke control performance is in line with the process for EXAP, some of which incorporate calculation methods and some of which may be common scientific interpretation set out in the relevant extended application standard and other documents. The basis of development of the rules varies according to the different parameters relevant for different elements.
Primary and secondary evidence for undertaking extended application shall have been generated from full tests carried out only to European Technical Specification. Secondary evidence, e.g. tests to prENs, may also be used in support of extended application in certain cases. The acceptability of using secondary evidence is given in the relevant extended application standard and varies according to the different parameters relevant for different elements.
2. Combination of parameter variations
An extended application analysis shall first of all consider each variation individually; the analysis shall then consider the effect of combining several of the relevant variations in accordance with the rules of the extended application standard.
3. Procedure for undertaking extended application
There are two approaches for undertaking an extended application:
Approach 1: Definition of test program based on EXAP standards in accordance with the relevant extended application standard EN .
Approach 2: Definition of the EXAP based on available tests results in accordance with the relevant extended application standard EN.
