Fire protection ability of building products can be demonstrated by the new European K classes. The mainaim with the K classes is to demonstrate that inner layers, e g combustible insulation products, in a wall orceiling construction are protected from being ignited during a specified time period (10-60 minutes).The possibility for wood-based products to reach the new European K classes for Fire protecting ability isbeing studied in an ongoing project. At first, several studies related to the K classes have been reviewedand are summarized in this paper. It is obvious that panel thickness is an important factor for thecontribution to fire resistance for both wood-based panels and gypsum boards.The K classes have not earlier been possible to reach for ordinary wood-based products. They origin fromthe Nordic countries, where they have been used mainly for gypsum plasterboards, since the Nordiccriteria included also improved reaction to fire requirements. However, in the European system only thefire resistance criteria prevail and normal reaction to fire performance is accepted, so this is a greatopportunity for wood-based panels to demonstrate their fire protection abilities.The goal for the ongoing research is to demonstrate that wood-based products fulfill the criteria for allthree levels, K 10, K 30 and 60. Products included are different wood-based panels as particleboard,plywood, OSB, hardboard and solid wood panels (cross laminated wood panels) and ordinary solid woodpanelling.Results so far demonstrate that K_1 10 and K_2 10 have been obtained for wood-based panels included(particleboard, plywood, OSB and hardboard) at thicknesses 9-12 mm. K_1 10 and K_2 10 have beenobtained also for 15 mm solid wood panelling with tongue and groove joints.Studies on K_2 30 are ongoing and the class has been verified for solid wood panelling with 27 mmthickness and tongue and groove joints. Further results will be reported as soon as available.
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