A roof's fire problem comes from outside: a burning brand landing from a neighbouring fire, driven by wind, with radiant heat on the deck. ENV 1187 defines four test methods for this scenario; the Motis configurations cover Test 3 (burning brands with wind and supplementary radiant heat) and Test 4 (two-stage incorporation of burning brands, wind and radiant heat), whose results feed the Broof classifications of EN 13501-5.
How the Roofing Fire Test Apparatus (ENV 1187) works
A roof specimen - the complete build-up of deck, insulation and covering as used in practice - is mounted at the method's pitch. Burning brands are placed on the surface while fans provide the specified wind and a radiant panel adds heat flux in the stages the method defines. Fire spread across the surface and penetration into the build-up are timed and observed, including damage opening measurements after the test.
Key specifications
| Standards | ENV 1187 Test 3 and Test 4 (configurations RTA-1187-3 and RTA-1187-4) |
|---|---|
| Specimen | Complete roof build-up at the pitch representative of end use |
| Exposures | Burning brands, wind, and supplementary radiant heat per the method stages |
What the test reports
- External fire spread across the roof surface
- Fire penetration into and through the build-up
- Damage measurements supporting EN 13501-5 Broof classification
Applications
Roofing membrane, insulation and deck manufacturers selling into European markets where Broof(t3) or Broof(t4) classes are specified need these rigs; test selection follows the national application documents of the market you sell into.
Frequently asked questions
Which standard should I order against?
Order against the standard your reports must cite. The instrument platform is shared across the listed standards, but fixtures, software templates and calibration routines differ, so name the standard (and its year) in your inquiry and the configuration will be matched to it.
Test 1, 2, 3 or 4 - which one is mine?
The ENV 1187 methods correspond to different national traditions and the class notation records which was used - Broof(t1) to Broof(t4). Our documented configurations are Test 3 and Test 4. Check which notation your target market's regulations ask for before ordering.
What specimen size is needed?
Roof specimens are complete build-ups at representative pitch; dimensions and conditioning are defined in the method. Describe your roof system in the inquiry.
Configuration, installation and support
Every Roofing Fire Test Apparatus (ENV 1187) is supplied as a configured system, not a bare instrument: the test chamber or frame, the burner or heater assemblies named in the method, the measurement chain and the control software with the report templates for ENV 1187 Test 3, ENV 1187 Test 4. Before quotation we confirm the installation conditions with you - floor loading and ceiling height for large rigs, exhaust and extraction routes, gas and fuel services, and power supply - because a fire test instrument only produces defensible data when the room around it is right. Commissioning covers assembly, calibration of the measurement chain against the method's own checks, and training of your operators on running the test and maintaining the apparatus. Spare ignition parts, thermocouples and other consumables for the first period of operation can be included in the supply, and the instrument is supported with calibration and maintenance services after installation.
What to include in your inquiry
To quote the Roofing Fire Test Apparatus (ENV 1187) correctly the first time, send: the standard and edition you will test to (ENV 1187 Test 3, ENV 1187 Test 4); the materials or products you will test and their sizes; the configuration options you already know you need; and the destination laboratory's location and available services. If you are building a new fire laboratory rather than adding one instrument, say so - this apparatus is often planned together with the other instruments in its category, and a combined layout and exhaust plan is cheaper than three separate ones.