MASTER BOOK – SECTION 1 Rev. 2007 - EKA Group

1.1 - FIRE RESISTANCE
The European Technical Committee CNE TC127/WG17 is drawing up a specific norm regarding the fire
resistance of raised access floor. At the moment the valid norm in Italy is the circular of the Interior Ministry N°
91 of 1961 which deals with the fire resistance tests of materials and building structures , or the norm UNI
7678/ISO 834.
After the publication of the above circular, several tests have been carried out at the Centre of Studies of the Fire
Service of Rome and at other laboratories, obtaining the appropriate official certificates.
Subsequently after the circular N° 91, other circulars and decrees have been issued to clarify this argument,
stating that the tests have to take into account the following elements:
- Structural stability (R)
- Integrity=passage of smoke and flame (E)
- Thermal insulation (I)
These three elements must be tested together and at the same time for the certificate to be approved by the
Italian Fire Service.
Nesite possesses all the certificates issued by the Italian Interior Ministry – General Management of Civil
Protection and Fire Protection Service attesting the validity of Nesite Raised floor certificates based on the three
above mentioned criteria.
The Nesite Access Floor System can be classified as REI 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, depending on the kind of cores and
coverings.
Test scheme
0
C
Underfloor temperature
1200
C
1000
800
600
400
200
A
B
100
15 30 45
min
An underfloor burning is simulated in a furnace and the temperature increases as per the standardized curve C.
The average surface temperature of the panel is measured, and whenever it exceeds 150°C, the time elapsed in
minutes is noted since the furnace has been switched on. During this measurement both the stability and
integrity must be maintained.
In the above drawing panel “A” has exceeded the temperature limit (150°C) after 15 minutes only, whereas panel
“B” after 47 minutes.
Rev. 01.08.07
NESITE S.p.A. – Via L. Da Vinci, 20 – 35028 PIOVE DI SACCO – Z.I. Tognana (Padova) Italy – Tel. +39.049.9713311 – Fax +39.049.9713313
NESITE S.p.A. reserves the right to change technical data without notice
www.nesite.com e-mail : nesite@nesite.com
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