Reaction to fire tests for building products - Conditioning procedures and general rules for selection of substrates

This document establishes the general principles for the conditioning procedures for test specimens tested according to the European standards for reaction to fire.
The rules for the selection of substrates for construction products when carrying out reaction to fire tests are also detailed in this document. In order to use the extensions rules set in this document, no modification of the standard substrate is allowed.
This document does not contain requirements for:
—   the pre-drying of test specimens for the non-combustibility test according to EN ISO 1182;
—   methods of cleaning (e.g. washing) and other methods for the assessment of durability aspects, which are dealt with in the relevant product standards.

Prüfungen zum Brandverhalten von Bauprodukten - Konditionierungsverfahren und allgemeine Regeln für die Auswahl von Trägerplatten

Dieses Dokument legt die allgemeinen Grundsätze für die Verfahren zur Konditionierung von Probekörpern, die nach Europäischen Normen für das Brandverhalten geprüft werden, fest.
Die Regeln für die Auswahl von Trägerplatten für Bauprodukte zur Durchführung von Prüfungen für das Brandverhalten werden ebenfalls in diesem Dokument behandelt. Zur Anwendung der in diesem Dokument aufgestellten Erweiterungsregeln ist keine Änderung der Norm-Trägerplatte zulässig.
Dieses Dokument enthält keine Anforderungen für:
   die Vortrocknung von Probekörpern für die Nichtbrennbarkeitsprüfung nach EN ISO 1182;
   die Reinigungsverfahren (z. B. Waschen) und weitere Verfahren zur Beurteilung der Dauerhaftigkeit, da diese in den jeweiligen Produktnormen behandelt werden.

Essais de réaction au feu des produits de construction - Modes opératoires de conditionnement et règles générales de sélection des substrats

Le présent document décrit les modes opératoires de conditionnement des éprouvettes soumises aux essais de réaction au feu conformément aux Normes européennes.
Les règles de sélection des substrats pour les produits de construction pour les essais de réaction au feu sont également détaillées dans le présent document.
Le présent document ne spécifie pas d’exigences concernant :
- le pré-séchage des éprouvettes pour l’essai d’incombustibilité conformément à l’EN ISO 1182 ;
- les méthodes de nettoyage (par exemple, lavage) et autres méthodes d’évaluation des aspects de la durabilité qui sont traitées dans les normes produit correspondantes.

Preskusi odziva gradbenih proizvodov na ogenj - Postopki kondicioniranja in splošna pravila za izbiro podlag

General Information

Status
Not Published
Publication Date
22-Jul-2026
Current Stage
5020 - Submission to Vote - Formal Approval
Start Date
02-Apr-2026
Due Date
09-Feb-2026
Completion Date
02-Apr-2026

Relations

Effective Date
18-Jan-2023

Overview

FprEN 13238 is a draft European Standard developed by CEN/TC 127 “Fire safety in buildings”. Its primary focus is to define the conditioning procedures for test specimens and establish general rules for the selection of substrates used in reaction to fire tests on building products. This standard underpins the reliability and repeatability of fire testing across Europe by ensuring test specimens are consistently prepared and substrates are properly selected to reflect real end-use conditions. FprEN 13238 is closely aligned with the requirements of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), aiming to make fire performance classification more accurate and comparable for construction materials.

Key Topics

  • Conditioning Procedures: Specifies controlled temperature and humidity environments for sample preparation before fire testing. Conditioning is performed either to constant mass or for a specified period, ensuring moisture content and other properties are stabilized.
  • Substrate Selection: Provides comprehensive guidance on identifying substrates that represent real-world applications, including standard substrates for floorings and other construction products. Correct substrate selection is essential for test validity.
  • Representativeness: Sets requirements so that test configurations (including mounting and attachment methods) mirror end-use applications as closely as possible, supporting the applicability of results.
  • Scope Limitations: Excludes requirements for pre-drying for non-combustibility tests (EN ISO 1182) and durability/cleaning procedures, which are covered in other product-specific standards.
  • Product Types Covered: Includes guidance for floorings, wall panels, ceiling systems, and other building elements subjected to reaction to fire testing.

Applications

FprEN 13238 serves multiple stakeholders in the construction and fire safety sectors:

  • Product Manufacturers: Enables consistent sample preparation and appropriate substrate choice for testing, helping demonstrate product compliance with fire classification standards.
  • Testing Laboratories: Offers standardized procedures to reduce variability in test results and ensure comparability across Europe.
  • Designers and Specifiers: Informs selection and specification of materials based on tested and classified fire performance.
  • Regulatory Authorities: Provides a harmonized framework for the assessment of building products, facilitating market access across the European Union.

Practical Examples

  • Floor coverings are tested on prescribed standard substrates to represent a broad range of real floors.
  • Wall and ceiling panels are mounted on specific substrate types (such as gypsum board, fibre cement board, or metal sheets) based on intended end-use to reflect their reaction to fire performance.
  • The methods for mounting or attaching products during testing (such as adhesive application) must match installation practices in actual building construction.

Related Standards

FprEN 13238 references and is used in conjunction with several European and international standards focused on reaction to fire testing and fire classification:

  • EN 13501-1: Fire classification of construction products and building elements - classification using data from reaction to fire tests
  • EN 13823: Reaction to fire tests - single burning item test for construction products excluding floorings
  • EN 14390: Large-scale room reference fire tests for surface products
  • EN 16733: Smouldering propensity of building products
  • CEN/TS 1187: Test methods for external fire exposure to roofs
  • EN ISO 1182 and EN ISO 1716: Non-combustibility and heat of combustion tests
  • EN ISO 9239-1: Burning behaviour of floorings under a radiant heat source
  • EN ISO 11925-2: Ignitability tests by a single-flame source
  • Related materials specifications, e.g., EN 520 (gypsum plasterboards), EN 312 (particleboards), EN 636 (plywood), and EN 12467 (fibre cement sheets)

By adhering to FprEN 13238, stakeholders can improve the predictability and reliability of fire performance testing for building products throughout Europe, supporting safer and more consistent construction practices.

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Frequently Asked Questions

FprEN 13238 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Reaction to fire tests for building products - Conditioning procedures and general rules for selection of substrates". This standard covers: This document establishes the general principles for the conditioning procedures for test specimens tested according to the European standards for reaction to fire. The rules for the selection of substrates for construction products when carrying out reaction to fire tests are also detailed in this document. In order to use the extensions rules set in this document, no modification of the standard substrate is allowed. This document does not contain requirements for: — the pre-drying of test specimens for the non-combustibility test according to EN ISO 1182; — methods of cleaning (e.g. washing) and other methods for the assessment of durability aspects, which are dealt with in the relevant product standards.

This document establishes the general principles for the conditioning procedures for test specimens tested according to the European standards for reaction to fire. The rules for the selection of substrates for construction products when carrying out reaction to fire tests are also detailed in this document. In order to use the extensions rules set in this document, no modification of the standard substrate is allowed. This document does not contain requirements for: — the pre-drying of test specimens for the non-combustibility test according to EN ISO 1182; — methods of cleaning (e.g. washing) and other methods for the assessment of durability aspects, which are dealt with in the relevant product standards.

FprEN 13238 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

FprEN 13238 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13238:2010. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

FprEN 13238 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 305/2011; Standardization Mandates: M/088, M/117. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.

FprEN 13238 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 13238:2025
01-junij-2025
Preskusi odziva gradbenih proizvodov na ogenj - Postopki kondicioniranja in
splošna pravila za izbiro podlag
Reaction to fire tests for building products - Conditioning procedures and general rules
for selection of substrates
Prüfungen zum Brandverhalten von Bauprodukten - Konditionierungsverfahren und
allgemeine Regeln für die Auswahl von Trägerplatten
Essais de réaction au feu des produits de construction - Modes opératoires de
conditionnement et règles générales de sélection des substrats
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 13238
ICS:
13.220.50 Požarna odpornost Fire-resistance of building
gradbenih materialov in materials and elements
elementov
oSIST prEN 13238:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 13238:2025
oSIST prEN 13238:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 13238
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2025
ICS 13.220.50 Will supersede EN 13238:2010
English Version
Reaction to fire tests for building products - Conditioning
procedures and general rules for selection of substrates
Essais de réaction au feu des produits de construction - Prüfungen zum Brandverhalten von Bauprodukten -
Modes opératoires de conditionnement et règles Konditionierungsverfahren und allgemeine Regeln für
générales de sélection des substrats die Auswahl von Trägerplatten
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 127.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 13238:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 13238:2025
prEN 13238:2025(E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Conditioning procedures . 6
4.1 General. 6
4.2 Conditioning to constant mass . 7
4.3 Conditioning for a fixed period . 7
5 General rules for selection of substrates . 7
5.1 General. 7
5.2 Standard substrates for floorings . 7
5.3 Standard substrates for construction products excluding floorings . 8
Bibliography . 12

oSIST prEN 13238:2025
prEN 13238:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 13238:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 127 “Fire safety
in buildings”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This document will supersede EN 13238:2010.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
oSIST prEN 13238:2025
prEN 13238:2025(E)
Introduction
The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) requires products to be tested in their end use condition
which, for the purpose of substrates, could lead to an economically unrealistic large variety of tests to be
carried out. This large spectrum has been reduced to a practical number of standard substrates that
enables the majority of end use conditions to be represented. Rules for the selection of such substrates
are given in this document.
This document is intended for use in conjunction with European Standards covering the reaction to fire
test methods for the relevant construction products.
oSIST prEN 13238:2025
prEN 13238:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document describes the conditioning procedures for test specimens which will be tested according
to the European standards for reaction to fire.
The rules for the selection of substrates for construction products when carrying out reaction to fire tests
are also detailed in this document.
This document does not contain requirements for
- the pre-drying of test specimens for the non-combustibility test according EN ISO 1182;
- methods of cleaning (e.g. washing) and other methods for the assessment of durability aspects, which
are dealt with in the relevant product standards.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 13501-1, Fire classification of construction products and building elements ― Part 1: Classification using
data from reaction to fire tests
EN 13823, Reaction to fire tests for building products ― Building products excluding floorings exposed to
the thermal attack by a single burning item
EN 14390, Fire test ― Large-scale room reference test for surface products
EN 16733, Reaction to fire tests for building products - Determination of a building products propensity to
smoulder
CEN/TS 1187, Test methods for external fire exposure to roofs
EN ISO 1182, Reaction to fire tests for building products — Non-combustibility test
EN ISO 1716, Reaction to fire tests for building products ― Determination of the heat of combustion
EN ISO 9239-1, Reaction to fire tests for floorings — Part 1: Determination of the burning behaviour using
a radiant heat source
EN ISO 11925-2, Reaction to fire tests ― Ignitability of building products subjected to direct impingement
of flame – Part 2: Single-flame source test
EN ISO 13943, Fire safety — Vocabulary
ISO 1887, Textile glass — Determination of combustible-matter content
oSIST prEN 13238:2025
prEN 13238:2025(E)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 13943 and the following
apply.
3.1
material
single basic substance or uniformly dispersed mixture of substances, e.g. metal, stone, timber, concrete,
mineral wool with uniformly dispersed binder or polymers
3.2
product
material, element or component about which information is required
3.3
substrate
product which is used beneath the product about which information is required
Note 1 to entry: For a flooring, it is the floor on which the flooring is mounted or the material which represents this
floor.
3.4
standard substrate
product which is representative of the substrate used in end use applications
3.5
test specimen
piece of the product which is to be tested together with or without any substrate or treatment
Note 1 to entry: The test specimen may include an air gap.
3.6
conditioning
exposure to a controlled atmosphere
4 Conditioning procedures
4.1 General
Test specimens used by the laboratory to conduct tests according to EN ISO 1182, EN ISO 1716,
EN ISO 9239-1, EN ISO 11925-2, EN 13823, EN 14390, EN 16733 and CEN/TS1187 shall be conditioned
at a temperature of (23 ± 2) °C and a relative humidity of (50 ± 5) %.
NOTE 1 This corresponds to the recommended atmosphere and normal tolerances given in ISO 554.
NOTE 2 The tole
...

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