Why You Should Stop Using UK Class 0 for Fire Rating

In the construction industry, prioritising fire safety is crucial to protect both lives and property. As our understanding of fire dynamics improves and new technologies emerge, it's essential to reassess the effectiveness of our fire safety standards. While Class 0 has been a longstanding benchmark, there are compelling reasons to transition towards newer and more comprehensive standards - the Euroclass system.

The Euroclass system was introduced by the EU to remove trade barriers between member states by having countries adhering to the same standards, prior to this each country had their own testing methods. The UK Building Regulations had a categorisation established that concerned fire safety (1991), was for materials utilised in wall and ceiling linings to ascertain the extent of flame spread. 

For UK Building Regulations, Class 1 is the highest level of performance, demonstrating minimal flame spread. While Class 4 indicated the worst performance. Class 0 signified a flame spread equivalent to Class 1, while also taking into consideration the limited heat released from the surface of a product. 

The Euroclass system was introduced to the UK by means of a transition, meaning there was a transition period before ending the Class 0 benchmark and moving to the more superior Euroclass system permanently. Years down the line this transitional period is still (29/02/24)* in effect. While both choices are technically available for specification in construction projects, properly specifying FR materials should use Euroclass. FireWright timber treatment is rated b,s1-d0 in the Euroclass system. We have a document all about this, here.



Fire safety standards have evolved significantly over the years, driven by advancements in materials science and testing methods. What was once considered sufficient may no longer meet the demands of modern construction practices and regulatory requirements. Class 0 primarily focuses on surface spread of flame and smoke production, neglecting other critical aspects of fire behaviour. This narrow focus can lead to gaps in fire safety measures and may not accurately reflect real-world fire scenarios.

In light of these considerations, it's evident that relying solely on the Class 0 rating may no longer suffice in meeting the demands of contemporary construction practices. By embracing modern fire safety standards within the Euroclass system, construction professionals can ensure that their projects are built to the highest standards of safety and resilience. Moving away from Class 0 represents a proactive step towards enhancing fire safety in construction and safeguarding communities for generations to come.