On the 13th of March 2024, an important event dedicated to the European fire façade initiatives was organised by the European Commission, setting a new precedent in the building materials industry across Europe. The “European Method to Assess the Fire Performance of Façades Validation Workshop” not only aimed to move forward new fire safety standards but also demonstrated a unified commitment to improving building safety regulations across the continent. Emanuela Gallo, Technical Affairs Manager at EUMEPS, represented our organization at this event, underscoring our dedication to leading advancements in sustainable and safe building practices.
The European Fire Facade Initiative
The European Fire Facade Initiative, born from a critical need to harmonize disparate national standards, aims to establish a unified safety protocol across Europe. This initiative, led by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, comprises a consortium of leaders in fire safety from institutions like BAM in Germany and Efectis in France. The project, launched in response to the European Commission’s 2019 call for tenders, aims to streamline and standardize the methodologies used to assess the fire performance of building facades. By doing so, the initiative seeks to ensure that all construction materials used within the EU adhere to rigorous safety standards, thereby significantly enhancing the safety and quality of European architecture.
Objectives and Proceedings of the Workshop
The workshop’s primary goal was to critically assess and refine the proposed “alternative method” for evaluating façade fire performance. This method is crucial for the integration of standardized practices into both CEN and EOTA documentation, which governs the safety standards for construction products across Europe.
The workshop featured detailed presentations from key consortium members, who elaborated on the latest advancements and the challenges faced during the project’s implementation. Johan Anderson of RISE shared updates on the progress of the Round Robin tests, which are essential for validating the method’s effectiveness across different testing environments. Meanwhile, Peter Toth from EMI delved into the technical details of calibration and testing, highlighting the complex technicalities involved in creating a universally applicable testing protocol. Additionally, Fabien Dumont, Roman Chiva, and Octavian Lalu also contributed their insights, each adding depth to the discussions with their expertise in facade safety and regulatory compliance, further enriching the dialogue and collective understanding of the project’s scope and impact.
The discussion was particularly pertinent for the EPS industry, as the outcomes of this standardization will directly impact the compliance and marketability of EPS products used in building façades as ETICS applications (External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems).
Reflections from Emanuela Gallo
Emanuela Gallo provided profound insights into the workshop’s atmosphere and its strategic outcomes. “The workshop was a fruitful venue for dialogue, promoting productive discussions, despite initial concerns about the short time available to review the documents. It brought together Europe’s top experts in fire safety to forge a path towards safer building practices,” she stated.
Highlighting the significance of these discussions, Emanuela Gallo added, “The drive towards a harmonized European test standard for façades is extremely important for the EPS industry. It represents a shift towards stringent, universally accepted safety norms that will fundamentally benefit all stakeholders involved.”
Her insights depict an industry on the brink of substantial regulatory changes, ready to improve the safety and sustainability of construction practices throughout Europe.
The “European Method to Assess the Fire Performance of Façades Validation Workshop” was a fruitful event for discussing enhanced fire safety in the European construction sector, and it serves as a great example of the cooperation that can be achieved through joint efforts. Emanuela Gallo’s participation and insightful contributions highlight EUMEPS’s role as a leader in advocating for innovative, safe, and sustainable building practices. “EUMEPS was truly engaged and committed to the elaboration of this new standard proposed by the European Commission, for instance by actively contributing and financing additional ETICS façade tests”, adds Emanuela Gallo.
As this project advances towards its final stages and the formation of a new technical subgroup within the CPR Technical Acquis process, EUMEPS keeps advocating for the EPS industry and influencing the development of future safety standards. This initiative extends beyond mere regulatory compliance; it signifies a commitment to transforming the building industry into a safer, more resilient field across Europe.