Fire performance & certification
Independently tested. Classified B-s1, d0. Suitable for the buildings that demand evidence.
Our sprayed cork system is classified B-s1, d0 to BS EN 13501-1 — limited combustibility, very low smoke, no flaming droplets. BBA certified, suitable for residential and commercial use including over-11 metres within an appropriate fire strategy.
The classification
What B-s1, d0 actually means.
BS EN 13501-1 is the European reaction-to-fire standard used across the UK. Materials are graded for their contribution to fire growth (A1 to F), smoke production (s1 to s3) and flaming droplets (d0 to d2). Our cork system carries the rating B-s1, d0.
B — limited contribution to fire growth. s1 — the lowest smoke-emission band, almost no visible smoke under test conditions. d0 — no flaming droplets or particles. That combination places the system among the better-performing thermal coatings available, and significantly ahead of the polyurethane and PIR foam systems that dominate the budget end of the market.
Beyond the material rating
System-level evidence for higher-risk and over-11m buildings.
On buildings over 11 metres the regulations have moved on. Reaction-to-fire classification at material level is necessary but not sufficient — the full external wall system needs to be considered as built. For projects in those categories we work with the appointed fire engineer to evidence compliance under the Building Safety Act, including BS 8414 large-scale system testing and BR 135 assessment where the wall build-up requires it.
We supply the full documentary trail directly to building control, the Principal Designer, NHBC / LABC / Premier warranty providers, and to insurers on request. EN 13501 classification report, BBA Agrément, DoP, product data sheet, and where applicable BS 8414 / BR 135 system evidence.
Why specifiers trust the evidence
Real testing, real certificates, real names attached.
Classified B-s1, d0
BS EN 13501-1. Limited combustibility, very low smoke, no flaming droplets.
BBA Agrément certified
Independent third-party certification of fitness for purpose and durability.
Suitable for over-11m
Within an appropriate fire strategy. We support the wall-build-up evidence at system level.
No toxic foam off-gassing
Cork chars rather than melts — no PUR/PIR isocyanate combustion products.
Full evidence pack
DoP, EN 13501 report, BBA cert, data sheets — supplied to BC, PD and warranty providers.
BSA-aware delivery
Building Safety Act-compliant documentation and gateway support on higher-risk schemes.
Fire performance FAQs
The questions building control, fire engineers and PDs ask.
- What is the fire rating of the sprayed cork system?
- Our sprayed cork system is classified B-s1, d0 to BS EN 13501-1 — the leading European reaction-to-fire standard. That means limited combustibility (Class B), very low smoke emission (s1) and no flaming droplets or particles (d0). It is a strict rating, suitable for residential and commercial use including buildings over 11 metres within an appropriate fire strategy.
- Can it be used on buildings over 11 metres or 18 metres?
- On buildings above 11 metres the system must be considered within the project's overall fire strategy and the Building Safety Act framework. B-s1, d0 is suitable for many such applications, but for buildings above 18 metres or in higher-risk categories we work with the project fire engineer to confirm the full external wall build-up complies with current regulations (including, where applicable, the BS 8414 large-scale test for the full system).
- What testing standard is used — EN 13501 or BS 8414?
- EN 13501-1 is the European reaction-to-fire classification standard, applied to the coating material itself. BS 8414 is a large-scale test of the full external wall system as built. We hold EN 13501 classification for the cork coating; BS 8414 evidence is held or commissioned at full-system level for specific projects where the wall build-up triggers that requirement.
- Does it produce toxic smoke in a fire?
- Smoke emission is rated s1 — the lowest band in EN 13501, meaning very low smoke production. Cork is a natural cellular material; it chars rather than melts, and does not produce the toxic isocyanate-based gases associated with polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foam systems.
- Is the fire performance affected by the colour finish?
- No. The pigmentation is integral to the cork suspension and does not change the reaction-to-fire classification. All standard and bespoke colours carry the same B-s1, d0 rating.
- What documentation is provided for building control and warranty providers?
- Full evidence pack: EN 13501-1 classification report, BBA Agrément certification, declaration of performance (DoP), product data sheet, and where applicable BS 8414 / BR 135 system evidence. We supply this directly to building control, the principal designer and the NHBC / LABC warranty provider on request.