What fire rating do I need?

Life safety is the paramount objective of fire safe building design. Buildings should be designed and constructed in such a way that the risk of fire is reduced and, if a fire does occur, the spread of fire is inhibited.

For many domestic and smaller commercial projects, timber cladding can be used without a flame retardant. Building regulations impose certain restrictions on the fire class of cladding elements, in certain situations (eg close to a boundary), and depending on the use class of the building (eg domestic / commercial / residential care etc).

SILA Select® Siberian Larch Cladding, Fire treated with Sentrin and fixed with F-BohrFix® Screws | Hoskins Architects | Dapple Photography. Fire rating dependant on building use. — SILA Select® Siberian Larch Cladding, Fire treated and fixed with F-BohrFix® Screws | Hoskins Architects | Dapple Photography

Fire regulations are devolved, and the building standards differ slightly for Scotland, England & Wales.

Always consult Building Control for advice on your project.

Fire safety – Building standards in Scotland

Fire safety – Building standards in Scotland

Fire standards for building standards in Scotland.

Fire safety – Building standards in England and Wales

Fire safety – Building standards in England and Wales

Fire standards for buildings in England and Wales.

Fire retardant timber cladding

Fire retardant timber cladding

The safety of a building’s occupants and users is of paramount importance to the design of any structure.

Euroclass D fire rating

Euroclass D fire rating

A Euroclass D rating can be achieved under CWFT rules where certain conditions are met.

Euroclass B or C fire rating

Euroclass B or C fire rating

Under Euroclass B or C rating, it is necessary to treat the timber with a flame retardant.