Introduction to the Fire Performance Ratings of HD Sharman coating products

Here at Sharmans, we know the importance of the AA Fire rating. Our pioneering advanced metal roof coating systems – Delcote and Seamsil, now come with a 10 or 25-year manufacturer’s guarantee, allowing Sharmans to provide stand-out performance to match all your needs, wherever the roof is in its lifecycle.

Our Delcote system comes with two options of performance guarantees:

– 10-year manufacturer guarantee with a single coat system that simplifies application and lowers costs to support shorter tenancy agreements and dilapidations.

– 25-year manufacturer guarantee with a dual coat system to mirror the proven industry performance of the Delcote system. With over 25 years of proven performance, the durable Delcote roof coating system continues to lead the way when it comes to the ongoing demands of modern pitched metal roofs.

Seamsil 100 Cut Edge Corrosion System

– Industry-leading 15-year guarantee. 

– Market-leading proven performance from a trusted brand. 

– Endorsed by leading steel manufacturers. -Engineered for the roofing environment using inorganic Alkoxy technology to prevent chalking and deterioration. 

– Specified in confidence by surveyors and property managers for over 20 years

HD Sharman Ltd can confirm that their Seamsil and Delcote roof coating systems have undergone external fire testing (BRE) as required in accordance with either BS476 Pt 3 (Classification and Method of Test for External Fire Exposure to Roofs) or CEN TS 1187/4 (Test Methods for External Fire Exposure to Roofs). Both Products have been rated AA (BS476) and BROOFt4 (EN 13501-5:2016) (the highest ratings achievable), and are therefore are BBA (British Board of Agrément) certified as suitable for unrestricted use under the Building Regulations.

Performance and fire

At Sharmans, health and safety is of superior importance, and it is our continuous aim to supply only the very best proven performance coating systems. Therefore, it is important to take into account a systems fire rating and performance when selecting which products you will be using or specifying. It is important that they meet or exceed local Building Regulations.

The official fire test methods used in the U.K are BS476 Pt 3 (Classification and Method of Test for External Fire Exposure to Roofs) ,CEN/TS 1187-T4:2012(Test Methods for External Fire Exposure to Roofs) EN 13501-5:2016. The tests replicate real fire conditions by simulating the effect of a burning brand on a roof, with localised radiant heat and wind. The test methodology measures both the penetration and spread of flame during a specified time period, after which the performance rating of the system is determined.

What are Building Regulations?

Building regulations are developed by the government. They apply to almost every building and relate to the minimum standards your building must adhere to for construction, design, and refurbishment/repair. 

Is there a Building Regulation regarding roof coverings?

Section 14: of The building Regulations 2000 – Roof Coverings outlines in detail the standards of fire safety, it states that it concerns ‘provisions that limit the use, near a boundary of roof coverings 

which will not give adequate protection against the spread of fire over them’. This is primarily related to the performance of roofs when exposed to fire externally.

What does a BS476 fire rating show?

Under BS476 Pt3 , the external coverings of roofs are classified by two letters, used by the Building Regulations to define minimum separation distances for roofs from adjacent property boundaries. These letters are in the range A-D: an AA rating is the best.

First Letter (Penetration classifications) 

A – Those specimens which have not been penetrated within 1 hour 

B – Those specimens which are penetrated in not less than 30 minutes 

C – Those specimens which are penetrated in less than 30 minutes

D – Those specimens which are penetrated in the preliminary test

Second Letter (Spread of flame classifications) 

A – Those specimens on which there is no spread of flame 

B – Those specimens on which there is not more than 533mm spread of flame 

C – Those specimens on which there is more than 533mm spread of flame 

D – Those specimens which continue to burn for 5 minutes after the withdrawal of the test flame or spread more than 381mm across the region of burning in the preliminary test

Find out more about our Delcote and Seamsil roof coating systems, or get in touch with our team today for expert advice and support.