Fire tests

Fire resistance testing – meeting ultimate safety standards by design

We are consistently committed to ensuring that our products always comply with the latest standards and statutory requirements; therefore, we test them regularly at our fire protection test centres. We use state-of-the-art fire resistance testing furnaces and laboratory equipment to analyse the reaction to fire and fire resistance of a wide range of materials and fire protection components. The expertise we gain informs the continuous evolution of our product portfolio.We can thus guarantee the highest levels of safety, reliability and tested quality for our fire protection materials.

To ensure perfect interaction between fire rated boards and building components, expert planning and precise implementation are essential. Only through this approach can a robust and reliable unit be created that is capable of withstanding extreme fire exposure.

Customised fire testing to the most stringent fire protection criteria

Our test laboratories are equipped to efficiently fulfil crucial testing requirements for materials, components and structures – their range extends from simple tests to complex testing procedures. Thanks to flexible test set-ups and a team of highly qualified engineers, we can test existing products for their ability to meet special or new requirements, e. g. significant deviations from verified applications, or special solutions for which no approvals have been granted yet. The results obtained from the fire tests provide economical solutions for all types of application scenarios – from simple to highly complex – and can serve as the basis for subsequent expert assessments or case-by-case approvals for specific issues. We can thus provide targeted support to our customers in validating their systems, such as partition walls made of glass, doors and windows.

Intumescent coating for a ceiling after a fire test.

Fire resistance testing to relevant DIN and EN standards

All fire resistance tests are conducted in accordance with the latest versions of all relevant DIN and EN standards. We test a wide variety of components for their reaction to fire and fire resistance, including

doors/gates (both residential and industrial)

glazings

cabinets

facades

These comprehensive tests guarantee a standard-compliant classification of the components and enable a reliable assessment of their fire protection properties.

Particle impact test with SAERTEX LEO® COATED FABRIC composite material.

Battery casings – safety revisited

In our battery resistance tests, test samples are subjected to extreme loads, including temperatures of up to 1400 °C and particle impact. We also offer torch tests to investigate the actual burn-through performance of materials. In this procedure, which was specially developed for battery casings, the test samples are exposed to a temperature of ~1,200 °C for ten minutes. Both the torch test and our particle impact test help determine how materials perform under thermal stress, thereby enhancing safety in electric vehicles and battery handling.

Developing fire protection materials and systems for the cutting-edge field of alternative drive technologies such as battery-powered vehicles is a complex challenge. KuhnOdice brings together Group-wide technical expertise while collaborating with a network of external testing institutes for an unparalleled knowledge base. Thanks to this broad approach, we can not only offer an innovative, specially developed test method for efficient and cost-effective testing, but can also avail ourselves of testing options at state-of-the-art test centres capable of conducting all battery-related tests. This approach is unique: It ensures quick, yet reliable, solutions.

Detailed test documentation – the cornerstone for reliable fire protection evidence and certification

In order to ensure accurate analysis of a material‘s reaction to fire, video recordings can be made during each test, not only of the structure as seen from the outside, but also directly into the furnace. This visual documentation provides valuable insights into the behaviour of materials exposed to extreme heat.

Fire resistance testing – maximum safety thanks to standardised methods

Building components are exposed to heat under standardised conditions to evaluate how long they can withstand the impact of fire (fire resistance period). This test shows how the structure behaves in the event of a fire and how long it fulfils its protective function.

The criteria assessed in the fire resistance tests include:

Load-bearing capacity – how long will the component remain stable?

Compartmentation (area separation) – does the component prevent the spread of smoke and flames?

Heat insulation – to what extent does the temperature increase on the unexposed side?

Based on the test results, the building components are categorised into fire resistance classes. It is important to note that fire resistance always refers to the entire building component, not just to its individual constituents, because the whole component structure can only be as strong as its weakest part.