BS EN 13381-10:2020 PDF Download

BS EN 13381-10:2020 is a standard that specifies a fire test method and assessment procedure for determining the contribution of fire protection systems to the fire resistance performance of solid steel bars in tension. This standard applies to circular and rectangular steel bars and is applicable to fire protection materials that have been tested and assessed according to EN 13381-4 or EN 13381-8. The document does not include steel bars used as reinforcement in concrete construction or other section shapes like angles, channels, and flats, which are covered by separate standards.

The test method involves testing unloaded tension members, but additional loaded test evidence may be required for specific product types. The standard covers various fire protection systems, including sprayed fire protection, reactive coatings, cladding protection systems, and multi-layer or composite fire protection materials. The maximum diameter for solid bars is 130 mm, while for rectangular bars, the maximum side length is limited to 130 mm with a maximum aspect ratio of 2:1 against the shorter side length. Rectangular or circular hollow sections may be used for dimensions greater than 130 mm if they have been tested and assessed in the same orientation.

The standard also provides an assessment procedure that analyzes the test data and provides guidance on interpolation. The evaluation covers different thicknesses of the fire protection material, steel bar dimensions, specified temperatures, and valid fire protection periods. The test method can be conducted in both vertical and horizontal orientations, with results from horizontally oriented bars applicable to any orientation, while results from vertically oriented bars require correction for use with horizontal bars.

This standard specifies the fire test procedures carried out to determine the thermal characteristics of the fire protection system when exposed to the standard temperature/time curve. The assessment procedure is used to establish practical constraints and the thermal properties of the fire protection system based on the test data. The limits of applicability and the use of results for different steel types, sizes, and fire protection system thicknesses are defined in the standard.