CEN/TS 13381-1:2005

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2006
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Test methods for determining the contribution to the fire resistance of structural members
- Part 1: Horizontal protective membranes
Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung des Beitrages zum Feuerwiderstand von tragenden
Bauteilen - Teil 1: Horizontal angeordnete Brandschutzbekleidungen
Méthodes d'essai pour déterminer la contribution a la résistance au feu des éléments de
construction - Partie 1: Membranes de protection horizontales
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 13381-1:2005
ICS:
13.220.50 Požarna odpornost Fire-resistance of building
gradbenih materialov in materials and elements
elementov
91.080.01 Gradbene konstrukcije na Structures of buildings in
splošno general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CEN/TS 13381-1
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
December 2005
ICS 91.220
English Version
Test methods for determining the contribution to the fire
resistance of structural members - Part 1: Horizontal protective
membranes
Méthodes d'essai pour déterminer la contribution à la Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung des Beitrages zum
résistance au feu des éléments de construction - Partie 1: Feuerwiderstand von tragenden Bauteilen - Teil 1:
Membranes de protection horizontales Horizontal angeordnete Schutzbekleidungen
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 15 November 2005 for provisional application.
The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit their
comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.
CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS available
promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the CEN/TS)
until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 13381-1:2005: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents           Page
Foreword. 3
1 Scope. 4
2 Normative references. 4
3 Terms and definitions, symbols and units .5
4 Test equipment. 6
5 Test conditions. 6
6 Test specimens. 8
7 Installation of the test construction . 12
8 Conditioning . 12
9 Application of instrumentation. 12
10 Test procedure. 15
11 Test results . 16
12 Test report. 17
13 Assessment . 17
14 Report of the assessment for calculations. 19
15 Limits of applicability of the results of the assessment. 20
Annex A (normative) Exposure to a semi-natural fire . 31
Annex B (normative) Measurement of properties of horizontal protective membranes and
components . 35
Bibliography . 38

Foreword
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS 13381-1:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee
CEN/TC 127 “Fire safety in buildings”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This Technical Specification has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of the
Construction Products Directive. As there was little experience in carrying out these tests in Europe,
CEN/TC127 agreed that more experience should be built up during a pre-standardization period
before agreeing text as European Standards. Consequently all other Parts are being prepared as
European Prestandards.
This Technical Specification is one of a series of standards for evaluating the contribution to the fire
resistance of structural members by applied fire protection materials. Other Parts of this ENV are:
Part 2: Vertical protective membranes,
Part 3: Applied protection to concrete members,
Part 4: Applied protection to steel members,
Part 5: Applied protection to concrete/profiled sheet steel composite members,
Part 6: Applied protection to concrete filled hollow steel columns,
Part 7: Applied protection to timber members.
The fire protection capacity of the horizontal protective membrane can be nullified by the presence of
combustible materials in the cavity above the membrane. The applicability of the results of the
assessment is limited according to the quantity and position of such combustible materials within that
cavity. The amount of combustible material permissible in the cavity should be given in national
regulations.
Annexes A and B are normative.
Caution
The attention of all persons concerned with managing and carrying out this fire resistance test, is
drawn to the fact that fire testing can be hazardous and that there is a possibility that toxic and/or
harmful smoke and gases can be evolved during the test. Mechanical and operational hazards can
also arise during the construction of test elements or structures, their testing and the disposal of test
residues.
An assessment of all potential hazards and risks to health should be made and safety precautions
should be identified and provided. Written safety instructions should be issued. Appropriate training
should be given to relevant personnel. Laboratory personnel should ensure that they follow written
safety instructions at all times.
The specific health and safety instructions contained within this European Technical Specification
should be followed.
WARNING: When performing this test method, laboratories should expect that there may be
significant quantities of smoke released. This smoke release is expected to be very significant where
the fire test involves timber and timber based components. Laboratories should ensure that
appropriate smoke extraction facilities are provided.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to announce this CEN Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
1 Scope
This Part of this European Prestandard specifies a test method for determining the ability of a
horizontal protective membrane, when used as a fire resistant barrier, to contribute to the fire
resistance of horizontal structural building members.
This European Technical Specification contains the fire test which specifies the tests which are
carried out whereby the horizontal protective membrane, together with the structural member to be
protected, is exposed to a fire test according to the procedures defined herein. The fire exposure, to
the temperature/time curve given in EN 1363-1, is applied to the side which would be exposed in
practice and from below the membrane itself.
The test method makes provision, through specified optional additional procedures, for the collection
of data which can be used as direct input to the calculation of fire resistance according to the
processes given within EN 1992-1-2, EN 1993-1-2, EN 1994-1-2 and EN 1995-1-2.
A related test method for determining the contribution to the fire protection of vertical structural
members by vertical protective membranes is given in Part 2 of this ENV.
This European Technical Specification also contains the assessment which provides information
relative to the analysis of the test data and gives guidance for the interpretation of the results of the
fire test, in terms of loadbearing capacity criteria of the protected horizontal structural member.
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 structures, membranes and fittings.
This European Technical Specification applies only where there is a gap and a cavity between the
horizontal protective membrane and the structural building member. Otherwise the test methods in
ENV 13381-3, ENV 13381-4 or ENV 13381-5, as appropriate, apply.
Tests shall be carried out without additional combustible materials in the cavity.
Annex A gives details of assessing the performance of the ceiling when exposed to a semi-natural fire.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1363-1, Fire resistance tests — Part 1: General requirements
EN 1365-2, Fire resistance tests for loadbearing elements — Part 2: Floors and roofs
EN 1992-1-1, Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures — Part 1-1: General rules and rules for
buildings
EN 1992-1-2, Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures — Part 1-2: General rules — Structural fire
design
EN 1993-1-1, Eurocode: 3 Design of steel structures — Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings
EN 1993-1-2, Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures — Part 1-2: General rules — Structural fire
design
EN 1994-1-1, Eurocode 4: Design of composite steel and concrete structures — Part 1-1: General
rules and rules for buildings
EN 1994-1-2, Eurocode 4: Design of composite steel and concrete structures — Part 1-2: General
rules — Structural fire design (including Technical Corrigendum 1:1995)
EN 1995-1-1, Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures — Part 1-1: General rules and rules for
buildings
EN 1995-1-2, Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures — Part 1-2: General rules — Structural fire
design
ENV 13381-4, Test methods for determining the contribution to the fire resistance of structural
members — Part 4: Applied protection to steel members
ENV 13381-5, Test methods for determining the contribution to the fire resistance of structural
members — Part 5: Applied protection to concrete/profiled sheet steel composite members
ENV 13381-7, Test methods for determining the contribution to the fire resistance of structural
members — Part 7: Applied protection to timber members
EN ISO 13943, Fire safety — Vocabulary (ISO 13943:2000)
ISO 8421-2, Fire protection — Vocabulary — Part 2: Structural fire protection
3 Terms and definitions, symbols and units
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this European Technical Specification, the terms and definitions given in EN
1363-1, EN ISO 13943 and ISO 8421-2 and the following apply:
3.1.1
horizontal structural building member
horizontal structural element of building construction which is loadbearing, separating and which is
fabricated from concrete, steel, steel/concrete composite or timber
3.1.2
horizontal protective membrane
any horizontal membrane or ceiling lining plus any supporting framework, hangers, fixings and any
insulation materials which is either suspended from or attached directly to a structural building
member, or is self supporting and fixed beneath a structural building member, and which is intended
to give additional fire resistance to that structural building member
The horizontal protective membrane does not form any part of any loadbearing part of the structure
and can comprise multiple layers of materials
3.1.3
separating gap
distance between the uppermost surface of the horizontal protective membrane and the lowest
surface of the underside of the structural building member
3.1.4
cavity
whole void or voids between the uppermost surface of the horizontal protective membrane and the
highest surface of the underside of the structural building member
3.1.5
horizontal protective membrane test specimen
full horizontal protective membrane assembly submitted for test, including typical fixing equipment and
methods and typical features such as insulating materials, light fittings, ventilation ducts and access
panels
3.1.6
fire protection
protection afforded to the structural building member by the horizontal protective membrane system
such that the temperature on the surface of the structural building member and within the cavity is
limited throughout the period of exposure to fire
3.2 Symbols and units
Symbol Unit Designation
L mm Length of the structural building member, plus the horizontal protective
exp
membrane, which is exposed to the furnace.
L mm Centre to centre distance between the supports of the structural building
sup
member tested.
L mm Total length of the main beams or members of the structural building member.
spec
-1
A /V m Section factor of unprotected steel beam (see ENV 13381-4).
m
4 Test equipment
4.1 General
The furnace and test equipment shall be as specified in EN 1363-1.
4.2 Furnace
The furnace shall be designed to permit the dimensions of the test specimen to be exposed to heating
to be as specified in 6.4.1 and its installation to be as described in Clause 7.
4.3 Loading equipment
Loading shall be applied according to EN 1363-1. The loading system shall permit loading, of the
magnitude defined in 5.3, to be uniformly applied along the length and width of the test specimen at
loading points positioned as defined in 5.3.
The loading equipment shall not inhibit the free movement of air above the test specimen and no part
of the loading equipment, other than at the loading points, shall be closer than 60 mm to the
unexposed surface of the test specimen.
5 Test conditions
5.1 General
A horizontal structural building member, including any supporting construction, which carries a
horizontal protective membrane, to be used as a fire resistant barrier against fire from below, is
subjected to predefined loading and to the fire test defined herein.
The temperature within the cavity and the surface temperature of the structural building member are
measured throughout the test.
Any leakage through the structural floor slab and at the sides of the structure shall be minimized. The
gap between the floor slab and the furnace shall be made tight by e.g. mineral wool pads or similar in
such a way that the slab can deflect vertically.
It is recommended that the test is continued until the mean temperature recorded by all
thermocouples within the cavity reaches the appropriate limiting temperature of the structural building
members used or until any individual temperature recorded within the cavity rises to 750 °C for
concrete, steel, or concrete/profiled steel composite members and 500 °C for timber structural
members.
The procedures given in EN 1363-1 shall be followed in the performance of this test method unless
specific contrary instruction is given. Where required, the semi-natural fire test shall be performed in
accordance with Annex A.
5.2 Support and restraint conditions
5.2.1 Standard conditions
The test specimen shall be tested as a simply supported one way structure with two free edges and
an exposed surface and span as specified in 6.4.1.
It shall be installed to allow freedom for longitudinal movement and deflection using at one side rolling
support(s) and at the other hinge support(s) as shown in Figure 1.
The surface of the bearings shall be smooth concrete or steel plates. The width of the bearings shall
be at least as wide as the beam.
5.2.2 Other support and restraint conditions
Support and restraint conditions differing from the standard conditions specified in 5.2.1 shall be
described in the test report and the validity of the results restricted to that tested.
5.3 Loading conditions
The test specimen shall be subjected to loads determined in accordance with EN 1363-1. The means
of determination of the load shall be clearly indicated in the test report.
The applied load shall be calculated such that the maximum bending moment equals 60 % of the
ultimate cold condition limit state value of the design moment resistance specified in the appropriate
structural Eurocodes (EN 1992-1-1, EN 1993-1-1, EN 1994-1-1 and EN 1995-1-1).
The design moment resistance shall be calculated using either the actual or nominal material
properties, derived according to 6.5, of the loadbearing member with a material safety factor (γ )
m
equal to 1,0.
The load shall be symmetrically applied to the test specimen either along two transverse loading lines,
1 3
applied at / L and / L approximately and separated from each other by a distance of
4 sup 4 sup
approximately L /2, see Figure 2, or by the use of dead weights. In both cases the loading shall
sup
produce stresses approximating to a uniformly distributed load.
Point loads shall be transferred to the test specimen, along the two transverse loading lines, through
load distribution beams or plates, see Figures 1 and 3, the total contact area between these and the
test specimen shall be as specified in EN 1363-1.
Load distribution beams, for safety reasons, shall have a height to width ratio < 1.
If the load distribution plates are of steel or any other high conductivity material, they shall be
insulated from the surface of the test specimen by a suitable thermal insulation material.
Unexposed surface thermocouples shall not be closer than 100 mm to any part of the load distribution
system.
6 Test specimens
6.1 General
One test specimen shall normally be required.
Horizontal protective membranes suspended from the structural building member by hangers or
similar fixings or attached to the structural building member by a framework structure, would typically
be:
 ceiling tiles resting on a light supporting frame,
 ceiling boards,
 metal trays,
 plastered and similar ceilings not directly applied to the underside of the structural member.
The structural building member to be used in the test shall be as given in 6.4.1 and be chosen from
the standard elements described in 6.4.2 and be representative of that to be used in practice.
Alternatively the actual structural building member to be used in practice may be used, however the
application of the result shall be restricted to that member only.
Where a horizontal protective membrane is manufactured with elements or components of variable
size or may be installed by different procedures, then a unique test shall be carried out on elements or
components at maximum and minimum sizes. The installation procedures for which the sponsor
requires approval shall be deemed as being represented by the fire test.
The horizontal protective membrane to be used in the test shall be constructed as described in 6.3
and shall be installed according to practice, by the procedures given in the installation manual or other
written instruction provided by the sponsor. It shall include all thermal insulating layers or materials to
be used in practice within the cavity.
6.2 Fixtures and fittings
All fixtures and fittings, such as light fittings, ventilation ducts and access panels expected to be
installed, should be included in the test specimen. The installation and frequency of use of these
should then if possible be representative of practice. Such fixtures and fittings shall not be installed
within the test specimen at a distance of less than 250 mm from any of its edges.
6.3 Horizontal protective membranes
The test specimen shall reproduce the conditions of use, including junctions between membrane and
walls and edge panels, joints and jointing materials and be installed from below by the same method
and procedures as given in the installation manual, or in written instructions, which shall be provided
by the sponsor.
It shall be fitted with all the components for hanging, expansion and abutting, plus any other fixtures
which are to be defined by the sponsor, with a frequency representative of practice.
For horizontal protective membranes which are suspended from the structural building member by
hangers, the suspension system and the length of the hangers shall be representative of practice.
The profiles bearing the various panels shall be installed against each other without any gap, unless a
gap (or gaps) is required for design purposes. In this case the gap (or gaps) at the junctions of main
runners shall be representative of that to be used in practice and shall be installed within the
specimen and not at its perimeter.
The profiles within the test specimen shall include a joint representative of joints to be used in practice
in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
The horizontal protective membrane shall be fixed according to normal practice on all four edges,
either directly to the furnace walls or to a test frame. A test frame, where used, shall be fixed directly
to the horizontal structural building member being protected, or to the furnace walls.
If the construction or properties of the horizontal protective membrane are different in the longitudinal
and transverse directions, the performance of the specimen may vary depending upon which
components are aligned with the longitudinal axis. If known from experience, the specimen shall be
installed so as to represent the most onerous condition by arranging the more critical components
parallel to the longitudinal axis. If the more onerous condition cannot be identified, two separate tests
shall be carried out with the components arranged both parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis.
6.4 Structural building members supporting horizontal protective membranes
6.4.1 General principles
The dimensions of the structural building member supporting the horizontal protective membrane and
which is exposed to the furnace shall be:
a) exposed length (L ) : at least 4 000 mm
exp
b) span (L )  : L plus up to 200 mm maximum at each end
sup exp
c) length (L  : L plus up to 350 mm at each end
spec) exp
d) exposed width  : at least 3 000 mm
Test specimens of exposed width less than 3 000 mm may be tested according to this method.
However, application of the result shall be restricted to constructions of equal or less width than that
tested.
The gap between the structural building member and the longitudinal furnace walls or simulated
furnace walls shall not exceed 30 mm and shall be sealed with compressed mineral fibres or ceramic
fibres of adequate fire performance (or comparable materials of equivalent performance) to allow both
deflection of the member under heating conditions and prevention of leakage of hot gases during the
test.
6.4.2 Standard horizontal structural building members
The following structural building members are considered to be standard for this test method.
a) Reinforced aerated concrete slabs on steel beams
The structural member shall comprise hot rolled steel `I' section beams of profiles with section factor
-1
A /V equal to (275 ± 25) m (for three sided exposure) and with a section depth of typically (160 ±
m
5) mm. The grade of steel used shall be any structural grade (S designation) according to the
specification given in ENV 13381-4. Engineering grades (E designation) shall not be used.
These beams shall be spaced at (700 ± 100) mm centres resting on the bearing surface of the
furnace test frame. The beams may be assembled incorporating cross members welded at the ends.
The centre of either of the outer steel beams shall not be placed less than 275 mm from the furnace
wall in order that the edge of the horizontal protective membrane rests only on the peripheral support.
The centre of either of the outer steel beams shall not be placed more than 450 mm from the furnace
wall.
The reinforced aerated concrete slabs shall be of density not more than 650 kg/m and minimum
thickness 100 mm and maximum width 650 mm. They shall be placed transversely on the profiles of
the steel beams and separated from each other by gaps of 5 mm to 10 mm which shall be sealed with
ceramic fibre or equivalent material and silicone flexible sealant. New, unused, reinforced aerated
concrete slabs shall be used for each test.
The aerated concrete slabs shall rest on the steel beam framework without mechanical connection so
that there is no gain in mechanical strength of the structure with increasing deformation.
b) Reinforced dense aggregate concrete slabs on steel beams
All the principles given in a) for reinforced aerated concrete slabs on steel beams apply except that
the concrete slabs shall comprise dense aggregate concrete of density (2 350 ± 150) kg/m and shall
have a thickness of between 60 mm to 120 mm.
c) Timber floors (or roofs)
The standard structural building member from which a horizontal membrane is suspended for the
protection of a timber structural building member shall comprise equally spaced softwood joists, of
nominal density (450 ± 75) kg/m and cross-section (220 ± 10) mm x (75 ± 5) mm at 530 mm to
600 mm centres, see Figure 4. The number of joists (preferably six) and their spacing shall be
appropriate to the exposed width, which shall be from 3 000 mm to 3 300 mm.
The joists shall be connected by cross members of the same material and cross-section, located in
the area of the furnace support. They shall also be connected by cross members of the same material
but with cross-section (175 ± 10) mm × (40 ± 5) mm, located around mid span, see Figure 4. The
wooden floor shall be made from particle board sheets of thickness (21 ± 3) mm and density
(600 ± 50) kg/m , laid perpendicular to the joists, with tongue and groove joints and nailed down.
d) Concrete/profiled steel sheet composite slabs
The standard concrete/profiled steel sheet composite test slab shall be prepared according to the
specification given in ENV 13381-5. The grade of steel and the concrete type, composition and
strength shall be as specified in ENV 13381-5.
The standard concrete/profiled steel sheet composite slab shall be fixed to and supported on two
equally spaced steel beams with a representative span as specified in 6.4.1.
Hangers may be provided on the unexposed side in order to avoid collapse of the structural member
under test during the test.
6.5 Properties of test materials
Where appropriate, the actual properties of materials used in the structural building member tested
(e.g. concrete strength) shall be determined according to EN 1363-1 or using an appropriate product
test standard, e.g. concrete strength. Otherwise nominal values, e.g. for steel or wood based
materials, may be used. The dimensions of the structural building member used shall be measured.
The material composition of the horizontal protective membrane shall be specified by the sponsor. For
confidentiality reasons the sponsor may not wish detailed formulation of composition details to be
reported in the test report. Such data shall, however, be provided and maintained in confidence in
laboratory files.
The actual thickness, density and moisture content of the components of the horizontal protective
membrane shall be measured and recorded, just prior to the time of test, on the components
themselves or on special test samples taken from the test component. These shall be conditioned as
defined in Clause 8. The procedures appropriate to different types of material are given in Annex B.
The thickness of sprayed or coated, passive or reactive type fire protection materials when used as
component parts of horizontal protective membranes shall be measured at locations on the horizontal
protective membrane corresponding to each of the thermocouple locations T to T (T ), defined in
1 9 12
9.3.2 and Figure 5, according to Annex B. The thickness shall not deviate by more than 20 % of the
mean value over the whole of its surface. The mean value shall be used in the assessment of the
results and the limits of applicability of the assessment. If it deviates by more than 20 %, the
maximum thickness recorded shall be used in the assessment.
The density of the horizontal protective membrane and its components, at minimum and maximum
thickness, shall be measured according to Annex B and recorded. The density should not deviate by
more than 15 % of the mean value. The mean value of density shall be used in the assessment of the
results and the limits of applicability of the assessment. If it deviates by more than 15 %, the
maximum density recorded shall be used in the assessment.
6.6 Verification of the test specimen
An examination and verification of the test specimen for conformity to specification shall be carried out
as described in EN 1363-1.
The properties of the materials used in the preparation of the test specimen shall be measured using
representative samples, where necessary, as described in 6.5 using the methods given in Annex B.
The sponsor shall verify materials contained within the test specimen which are applied by spray or
coating for compliance to design composition and specification using tests appropriate to the material
under test.
6.7 Optional and additional steel plates and/or plate thermometers within the cavity
At the request of the sponsor, where there is a need to obtain test data for use as direct input to the
calculation of fire resistance according to the procedures given in EN 1992-1-2, EN 1993-1-2,
EN 1994-1-2 and EN 1995-1-2 or other calculation methods, additional steel plates with
thermocouples and/or plate thermometers shall be used within the cavity.
Two such steel plates of size 1000 mm × 300 mm × 10 mm shall be suspended horizontally within the
cavity, with their long direction along the cavity. Each one shall be suspended half way up the cavity
from the structural building member by 10 mm diameter steel threaded rods or brackets of similar
cross sectional area. Thermal breaks shall be incorporated between each plate and its suspension
device.
7 Installation of the test construction
The test construction, comprising the structural building member, any supporting construction or test
frame and the horizontal protective membrane, shall be installed onto the furnace to allow freedom for
longitudinal movement and deformation, using at one side rolling support(s) and at the other side
hinge support(s). Special attention shall be taken to insulate the supports from the influence of heat.
The order in which the test construction is installed upon the furnace shall be appropriate to practice.
8 Conditioning
The test construction and test samples taken for the determination of material properties, as specified
in 6.5, shall be conditioned according to EN 1363-1.
Material properties (specified in 6.5) shall be determined according to Annex B and EN 1363-1.
Steps shall be taken to ensure that all the component materials of the test construction are
conditioned according to EN 1363-1 and will not influence the test result.
9 Application of instrumentation
9.1 General
The instrumentation for the measurement of temperature, furnace pressure, applied load and
deformation shall comply with the requirements of EN 1363-1.
9.2 Instrumentation for measurement of furnace temperature
Plate thermometers of the type specified in EN 1363-1 shall be provided to measure the temperature
of the furnace. They shall be uniformly distributed, with at least one centrally placed within every
1,5 m of the exposed test specimen surface area, the exposed area being the nominal area
measured in the plane of the specimen.
The plate thermometers shall be oriented so that side 'A' faces the floor of the furnace. For test
specimens with less than 6 m exposed area, a minimum of four plate thermometers shall be used.
9.3 Instrumentation for measurement of specimen temperature
9.3.1 General
Instrumentation shall be provided for the measurement and recording of cavity temperature, surface
temperature of the test specimen and the temperature at other optional locations.
9.3.2 Instrumentation for measuring cavity temperature
A total of nine thermocouples shall be used for measuring cavity temperatures, in sets of three, in
each of three cross sectional areas (T - T in Figure 5). Each thermocouple in a set shall be
1 9
separated horizontally from the next by (750 ± 100) mm:
Area 1: central section, located halfway along the span of the building member,
Area 2: (1 000 ± 100) mm from one side of the central section,
Area 3: (1 000 ± 100) mm from the other side of the central section.
These nine thermocouples shall be positioned half way up the plenum within the cavity.
An additional three cavity temperature measurement thermocouples shall be used when testing
flammable timber test constructions, for safety reasons. These additional thermocouples (T - T )
10 12
shall be distributed according to Figure 5.
All cavity temperature measurement thermocouples shall be of a nominal thickness of 1 mm.
Plate thermometers directed with the steel surface downwards may be used to get effective cavity
temperatures for calculating the thermal exposure of the beams.
9.3.3 Instrumentation for measuring surface temperatures
a) Standard test construction – reinforced concrete slabs on steel beams
Twelve thermocouples shall be provided for measurement of surface temperature on the steel beams.
There shall be three thermocouples fixed to each steel beam used in the test construction described
in 6.4.2(a) and 6.4.2(b). These shall be separated from the loading points and loading plates by at
least 100 mm. They shall be located on the underside of the lower flange of the beam (thermocouples
a to a exemplified in Figure 6), in each of the three cross sectional areas specified in 9.3.2.
1 4
Thermocouples for measuring surface temperature of the steel test beams shall be of the double
glass fibre insulated bare wire type specified in EN 1363-1. They shall be positioned and fixed as
specified in EN 1363-1.
b) Standard test construction – steel/concrete composite slabs
Twelve thermocouples shall be provided for measurement of surface temperature on the (exposed)
steel surface of the steel/concrete composite test construction described in 6.4.2(d).
Four thermocouples shall be distributed, on the lower profiles of the steel at (700 ± 100) mm centres
across the width of the furnace, with the outer temperature measurement points being between
300 mm and 450 mm from the furnace wall, i.e. in similar positions to those exemplified for steel
beams given in Figure 6. Sets of these four thermocouples shall be located in each of the three cross
sectional areas specified in 9.3.2. They shall be separated from loading points/loading plates by at
least 100 mm.
Thermocouples for measuring surface temperature of the steel/concrete test slabs shall be of the
double glass fibre insulated bare wire type specified in EN 1363-1. They shall be positioned and fixed
as specified in EN 1363-1.
c) Non-standard test construction
When a non-standard test construction is tested, e.g. an actual practical structural building member as
described in 6.1, instead of the standard building member described in 6.4.2, then in addition to the
thermocouples specified in 9.3.2(a) and 9.3.2(b), five thermocouples located on the upper surface of
the structural building member (thermocouples c to c given in Figure 6) shall be used. These shall
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be of the copper disk type defined in EN 1363-1 and be positioned and fixed as specified in
EN 1365-2 and be separated from the load distribution system by at least 100 mm.
9.3.4 Optional and supplementary instrumentation for measuring temperature
a) To generate data for use in calculation of fire resistance
Where the sponsor requires temperature data for use as direct input to the calculation of fire
resistance according to the procedures given in EN 1992-1-2, EN 1993-1-2, EN 1994-1-2 and EN
1995-1-2, the following shall be used within the cavity:
The following can also be considered for the application of plate thermometers:
two plate thermometers (PT1 to PT4 as defined in EN 1363-1) shall be placed 100 mm below

each of the beams as indicated in Figure 5. They shall be oriented so that side 'A' faces vertically
downwards towards the horizontal protective membrane.
b) To generate other optional data
Other thermocouples may be used to generate optional data at the request of the sponsor. These
shall all be of the appropriate type and fixing as specified in EN 1363-1. These include:
 Five thermocouples located on the upper surface of the structural building member, when
standard building members are used (thermocouples c to c given in Figure 6). These shall be
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as defined in EN 1363-1 and shall be separated from the loading points and loading plates by at
least 100 mm.
 Five thermocouples located on the highest surface of the underside of the structural building
member (thermocouples b to b given in Figure 6), i.e. upon:
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i) the surface of the concrete slabs supported by steel beams,
ii) within the steel profile of trapezoidal or re-entrant steel/concrete composite slabs,
iii) the timber floor.
 Four thermocouples located on the unexposed face of the horizontal protective membrane and
below any insulation material (thermocouples d to d given in Figure 6). These shall be located:
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iv) one thermocouple in the centre of the horizontal protective membrane. If the horizontal
protective membrane is made up of panels then this thermocouple shall be placed at the
centre of a panel;
v) one thermocouple at a membrane joint if included;
vi) one thermocouple on each type of edge and internal profile bearing the membrane
panel, in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
 Five thermocouples located on top of any insulation included in the test specimen (thermocouples
e to e given in Figure 6). These shall be as defined in EN 1363-1.
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9.4 Instrumentation for measurement of pressure
Equipment for measuring pressure within the furnace shall be provided, located and used as specified
in EN 1363-1.
9.5 Instrumentation for measurement of deflection
A suitable means of measuring the vertical deformation at mid span of the test specimen, relative to
its supports, shall be provided, located and used as specified in EN 1363-1.
9.6 Instrumentation for measurement of applied load
Instrumentation for measurement of applied load shall be provided and used as specified in
EN 1363-1.
10 Test procedure
10.1 General
Carry out checks for thermocouple consistency and establish data points for temperature as specified
in EN 1363-1 before commencement of the test and the procedures defined in 10.2 to 10.7.
10.2 Furnace temperature and pressure
Measure and record the furnace temperature using the thermocouples defined in 9.2 and the furnace
pressure in accordance with the procedures and frequency specified in EN 1363-1.
Control the furnace temperature according to the data received from the furnace temperature
measurement thermocouples to the criteria of EN 1363-1.
Control the furnace pressure to the criteria of EN 1363-1.
10.3 Application and control of load
Using the procedures of EN 1363-1, apply a constant load to the test specimen, of magnitude in
accordance with 5.3, throughout the test period until a deformation of L /30 is reached, at which
sup
point the load shall be removed.
10.4 Temperatures of test specimen
Measure and record the temperature within the cavity and upon the surface of the test construction
using the thermocouples specified in 9.3.2 and 9.3.3, at intervals not exceeding one minute. Where
any of the supplementary and optional thermocouples specified in 9.3.4 are used, measure and
record the temperatures from these at intervals not exceeding one minute.
10.5 Deflection
Using the procedures of EN 1363-1, identify an initial deformation datum point, relative to the supports,
before application of the load. Then apply the test load and measure the zero point for deformation
after applying the load and before commencement of heating. Monitor the deformation continuously
throughout the test and record the results at intervals not exceeding 1 minute.
10.6 Observations
Where
...