The fire reaction classifications in force in Italy

Fire reaction is defined by the UNI CEI EN ISO 13943/2004 standards as “the behaviour of a given material that by its decomposition contributes to the fire affecting it under particular conditions”.

This should not be confused with fire resistance, defined in the same standard as “the ability of an element to preserve for a certain period of time, a particular degree of stability and/or resistance and/or insulation to fire, and/or ant other performance characteristic defined in a standardised free-resistance test”.

Fire reaction class currently prevailing in Italy, excluding products subject to the directive CEE/89/106, are the following:

Class 0 (zero) for non-combustible materials;

Classes 1 (the most rigorous) – 2 – 3 – 4 and 5 for combustible materials (except upholstered furniture);

Classes 1/IM (the most rigorous) – 2/IM and 3/IM for upholstered furniture