Overview
ISO 1182:2020 - Reaction to fire tests for products: Non-combustibility test - is the sixth-edition international standard that specifies a laboratory method to determine the non-combustibility performance of homogeneous products and substantial components of non-homogeneous products. The standard defines test apparatus, specimen preparation, conditioning, calibration, the standard test procedure and how to express results (mass loss, flaming, temperature rise). Precision information is provided in Annex A and typical furnace designs, thermocouple details and temperature recording guidance are given in Annexes B–D.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Applies to homogeneous materials and substantial components (layer ≥ 1.0 mm thickness or ≥ 1.0 kg/m² mass/unit area); non-homogeneous products are limited to substantial components only.
- Test apparatus: Specifies a refractory furnace tube assembly (alumina-based refractory), an open-ended cone-shaped airflow stabilizer, draught shield and a specimen holder/insertion device. Typical furnace design details are in Annex B.
- Specimen and conditioning: Defines specimen geometry, number, preparation and environmental conditioning prior to testing.
- Measurement instrumentation: Requires specified thermocouples (including a second furnace thermocouple introduced in 2020) and a central-axis thermal sensor; further thermocouple options are in Annex C.
- Calibration and procedure: Detailed calibration procedures for furnace wall and furnace temperatures, furnace stabilization, and the standard test procedure are included, together with observation requirements during the test.
- Results expression: Test outcomes include mass loss, occurrence of sustained flaming, and temperature rise; reporting requirements are defined in Clause 9.
- Precision and reporting: Annex A provides information on the precision of the method; Clause 9 lists required test report contents.
Practical applications
- Material selection and product assessment for buildings where non-combustibility is required (e.g., cladding, insulation cores, mineral-based panels).
- Third-party testing and certification laboratories performing reaction to fire tests.
- Regulatory compliance and construction code verification for products claiming non-combustible behavior.
- Fire safety engineers and manufacturers validating product formulations or substantial components (e.g., mineral wool, certain metals, ceramics).
Who uses ISO 1182:2020
- Test laboratories and certification bodies
- Building product manufacturers and R&D teams
- Fire safety engineers, consultants and specifiers
- Regulators and standards committees evaluating product performance
Related standards
- ISO 13943 - Fire safety - Vocabulary
- IEC 60584-1 - Thermocouples - EMF specifications and tolerances
- EN 13238 - Reaction to fire tests - Conditioning procedures and general rules
Keywords: ISO 1182, non-combustibility test, reaction to fire tests, furnace, specimen, thermocouple, mass loss, fire testing, building products.
