Mon, 25 May 2026 06:27:03 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18222&Focus=307094#Comment_307094 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18222&Focus=307094#Comment_307094 Fri, 25 Oct 2024 18:39:28 +0100 djh
edit to say: I just did a search and the Australian test appears to be of EPS *with* fire retardant, which is rather worrying. Details here: https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/134289/Rendered-Expanded-Polystyrene-EPS-Testing-Outcome.pdf]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18222&Focus=307095#Comment_307095 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18222&Focus=307095#Comment_307095 Fri, 25 Oct 2024 20:25:54 +0100 fostertom
And it refers to Construction Types A and B: "There are three types of construction, namely A, B and C, which are determined by the building's class and rise in storeys. Type A includes buildings that have a higher risk such as high rise, high occupant buildings and is therefore the most fire resistant. Type C includes buildings that have a lower risk and is therefore the least fire resistant. (Type B is in between).

So broadly, for residential buildings, these panic-findings of combustibility etc are considered a problem for taller blocks of apartments, but aren't raising any concern about low rise houses, which are presumably Type C. So about same as UK Building Regs.

Generally, UK Fire Regs are solely concerned about allowing specified time for evacuation of occupants (not their belongings) in a fire, not at all about preservation of the building. For one, two and in some respects three storey residential buildings, evacuation is easily achieved with fire resistance requirements incl spread-of-flame over internal surfaces - easily achieved with common materials. So flamability of exterior EPS isn't a problem. With the big proviso of distance to adjoining buildings/property boundary, which can rule out any flamable external surfaces incl EPS, to prevent fire transmission to neighbours.

In general, this study isn't news in UK; UK regs pretty well cover it.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18222&Focus=307096#Comment_307096 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18222&Focus=307096#Comment_307096 Fri, 25 Oct 2024 20:36:51 +0100 djh