Overview
ISO 13784-2:2020 - Reaction-to-fire tests for sandwich panel building systems, Part 2 - specifies a large‑room scale test method for assessing the reaction‑to‑fire behaviour of thermal insulating sandwich panel building systems. The method evaluates flame spread on or within wall and ceiling/roof sandwich panel constructions when exposed to a simulated internal fire with flames impinging directly on an internal corner. This standard is for reaction‑to‑fire (fire performance) testing only and is not a fire‑resistance test.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Applies to freestanding, self‑supporting and frame‑supported thermal insulating sandwich panel systems used as walls and ceilings/roofs in large rooms.
- Test principle: Expose a representative room assembly to a simulated internal fire source with flames impinging on the internal corner to observe flame spread, internal core burning, gas ignition, falling debris and potential collapse.
- Specimen construction: Test specimens must reproduce end‑use construction, including joints, fixings, frames and any decorative facings or paints used in practice.
- Test installation and apparatus: Includes requirements for test room design and construction, ignition source positioning, thermocouples/measurement equipment and safety provisions (see clauses on apparatus, ignition source and safety precautions).
- Procedure and reporting: Defines initial conditions, stepwise test conduct, precision considerations and the required content of the test report.
- Safety: Emphasises toxic combustion products, high temperatures, and safe termination/extinguishing measures for panel fires.
Applications and who uses it
- Manufacturers of sandwich panels and insulated building systems use ISO 13784-2 to evaluate and compare reaction‑to‑fire performance for large‑room applications (e.g., cold stores, warehouses, modular rooms).
- Test laboratories and fire engineers adopt this standard to perform large‑scale reaction‑to‑fire tests that reflect realistic end‑use conditions.
- Building designers, specifiers and regulators reference results from this test when assessing façade, interior envelope and roof/wall systems for fire performance and risk management.
- Useful for quality assurance, product development and comparative testing of panel types, joint designs and supporting frameworks.
Related standards
- ISO 13784-1 - Part 1: Test method for small rooms (companion standard)
- ISO 13943 - Fire safety - Vocabulary (terms and definitions)
- ISO/TS 3814 (and ISO/TR 3814 referenced) - Reaction‑to‑fire test philosophy
- ISO 9705 series - Room‑corner test methods for surface products (for distinction)
- IEC 60584-1 - Thermocouples (measurement reference)
Keywords: ISO 13784-2:2020, reaction-to-fire tests, sandwich panel building systems, thermal insulating sandwich panel, large rooms, fire testing, wall and ceiling constructions, frame-supported, freestanding.