What is BS EN 13381-3 – Applied protection to concrete members about?
BS EN 13381-3 is the third part of the EN 13381 multi-series that discusses test methods to determine the contribution to the fire resistance of structural members. This European standard helps its user construct buildings that have a higher resistance to fire hazards and therefore are safe for residence or business operations.
BS EN 13381-3 specifies a test method for determining the contribution of fire protection systems to the fire resistance of structural concrete members, for instance, slabs, floors, roofs and walls and which can include integral beams and columns. The concrete can be lightweight, normal weight or heavyweight concrete and of all strength classes (e.g., 20/25 to 50/60 for normal strength concrete and for high strength concrete 55/67 to 90/105). The member is to contain steel reinforcing bars.
The test method is applicable to all fire protection materials used for the protection of concrete members and includes sprayed materials, reactive coatings, cladding protection systems and multi-layer or composite fire protection materials, with or without a gap between the fire protection material and the concrete member.
Note: The test method, the test results and the assessment method are not applicable to structural hollow concrete members.
Who is BS EN 13381-3 – Applied protection to concrete members for?
BS EN 13381-3 on applied protection to concrete members is useful for:
- Architects
- Real estate developers
- Civil engineers
- Safety inspectors/regulators
Why should you use BS EN 13381-3 – Applied protection to concrete members?
Concrete is widely used in the construction industry because of its physical properties that considerably add to the structural integrity of the buildings. However, as reliable as they may be concrete structures are still prone to fire hazards and require protection to minimize the damage.
BS EN 13381-3 specifies the test that helps you determine the ability of the fire protection kit to stay attached to the concrete structure and protect it from fire. BS EN 13381-3 also contains the assessment which indicates how the analysis of the test data should be made and gives guidance to the procedures by which interpolation should be undertaken.
BS EN 13381-3 helps you to determine and evaluate the effectiveness of the fire protection kits used in concrete structures. This helps you in building a more reliable concrete structure with enhanced fire resistance.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 13381-3:2015 supersedes ENV 13381-3:2002. In comparison with ENV 13381-3:2002, the following significant changes have been made in BS EN 13381-3:2015:
- The bending moment has been modified to be adapted to the thickness of the slab
- The location of thermocouple used within beams for the calculation of equivalent thickness of concrete is now at 25 mm away from the beam bottom corner instead of 55 mm
- The graphs to be used for the determination of equivalent concrete thickness for slabs has been improved and extended and is directly available in the standard
