Exterior cladding systems fire testing

System components

The external cladding system includes all relevant components assembled in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions - from external weathered face to internal finished face.

Testing accreditations

BRANZ is accredited by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) for testing the fire performance of products, materials and systems using the following test methods. See IANZ certificate of accreditation (PDF, 176KB] for the full scope of our accreditations.

New Zealand test methods

• ISO 5660.1 Reaction to fire tests – Heat release, smoke production and mass loss rate – Part 1: Heat release rate (cone calorimeter method)
• ISO 5660.2 Reaction to fire tests – Heat release, smoke production and mass loss rate – Part 2: Smoke production rate (dynamic measurement)
• AS/NZS 3837 Method of test for heat and smoke release rates for materials and products using an oxygen consumption calorimeter
• ASTM E 1354 Standard test method for heat and visible smoke release rates for materials and products using an oxygen consumption calorimeter
• BS 8414.2* Fire performance of external cladding systems – Part 2. Test method for non-loadbearing external cladding systems fixed to and supported by a structural steel frame

*Application for IANZ Accreditation is pending. See IANZ certificate of accreditation (PDF, 176KB] for the full scope of our accreditations.

Australia test methods

• BS 8414.2* Fire performance of external cladding systems – Part 2. Test method for non-loadbearing external cladding systems fixed to and supported by a structural steel frame

*Application for IANZ Accreditation is pending. See IANZ certificate of accreditation (PDF, 176KB] for the full scope of our accreditations.

Code compliance

The results from these tests can be used to determine if the fire performance meets the following requirements set by the Building Codes of New Zealand and Australia.

New Zealand

• NZBC Acceptable Solution C/AS2 5.8.1
• MBIE guidance Fire performance of external wall cladding systems, December 2018
  • BR 135 Fire performance of external thermal insulation for walls of multistorey buildings: Annex B
  • AS 5113 Fire propagation testing and classification of external walls of buildings

Australia

• AS 5113 Fire propagation testing and classification of external walls of buildings

More information about fire testing

If you would like to discuss fire testing for your product, contact us by:

• email firetesting@branz.co.nz
• phone +64 4 237 1170.