D EUTSCHE NORM July 1998

Fire behaviour of building materials and elements {

Part 7: Roofing – Concepts, requirements and testing
4102-7
ICS 13.220.50; 91.060.20 Supersedes
March 1987 edition.
Descriptors: Building materials, building elements, fire behaviour,
roofing.

Brandverhalten von Baustoffen und Bauteilen – Teil 7: Bedachungen –

Begriffe, Anforderungen und Prüfungen

In keeping with current practice in standards published by the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO), a comma has been used throughout as the decimal marker.

Contents
Page

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Normative references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3 Concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4 Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
5 Verifying resistance to flying brands and radiant heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
5.1 Verification on the basis of fire tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
5.2 Materials that do not require testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
6 Test roofs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
6.1 Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
6.2 Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
6.3 Roofing not intended for continuous decking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
6.4 Roofing intended for continuous decking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
6.5 Dome lights and other closures for roof apertures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
7 Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
8 Exceptions to the standard test procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
8.1 Other roof pitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
8.2 Other conditioning methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
9 Test certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Foreword
This standard has been prepared by Technical Committee Brandverhalten von Baustoffen und Bauteilen –
Bedachungen of the Normenausschuß Bauwesen (Building and Civil Engineering Standards Committee).

Amendments
The following amendments have been made to the March 1987 edition:
a) The standard has been harmonized with current European standards.
b) The length of the test is now specified and an assessment of glowing combustion is required.
c) The standard has been editorially revised.

Previous editions
DIN 4102-3: 1970-02; DIN 4102-7: 1977-09, 1987-03.

Continued on pages 2 to 5.

Translation by DIN-Sprachendienst.
In case of doubt, the German-language original should be consulted as the authoritative text.

© No part of this translation may be reproduced without the prior permission of Ref. No. DIN 4102-7 : 1998-07
DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung e. V., Berlin. English price group 05 Sales No. 0105
Beuth Verlag GmbH, D-10772 Berlin, has the exclusive right of sale for German Standards (DIN-Normen).
03.99
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DIN 4102-7 : 1998-07

1 Scope
This standard specifies requirements for the fire behaviour of roofing and a test method for determining
resistance to flying brands and radiant heat.

2 Normative references
This standard incorporates, by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These norma-
tive references are cited at the appropriate places in the text, and the titles of the publications are listed below.
For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this
standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references, the latest edition of
the publication referred to applies.
DIN 4077 Wood wool
DIN 4102-1 Fire behaviour of building materials and elements – Building materials – Classification, require-
ments and testing
DIN 4102-4 Fire behaviour of building materials and elements – Overview and design of classified building
materials, elements and components
DIN 16726 Testing of plastics roofing felt
DIN 50014 Artificial climates in technical applications – Standard atmospheres
DIN 52123 Testing bitumen and polymer bitumen felt

3 Concept
Roofing
For the purposes of this standard, roofing includes roof coverings, waterproofing, and insulation, as well as
dome lights or other closures for roof apertures.

4 Requirements
Roofing that is declared resistant to flying brands and radiant heat shall be capable of resisting the surface
spread of flame and withstanding external fire penetration. This is deemed to be the case if
a) a test roof having a 15° pitch passes the tests specified in clause 7 (for roofs with a 20° pitch), or
b) 15° and 45° pitch test roofs pass the relevant tests (for roofs of any pitch not having vertical or almost
vertical surfaces higher than 1 m).
When tested as specified in clause 7, test roofs shall comply with the following requirements.
a) Surface or interior areas charred or destroyed by fire shall have an average size no greater than 0,25 m2,
while single values shall be no greater than 0,30 m2. Discoloration, sooting or structural changes caused by
warping, sintering, melting, wrinkling, blistering, etc. shall be disregarded.
b) Any portions of the test roof which have become molten and which run off while burning shall have an
average length no greater than 50 cm (measured from the bottom edge of the wire frame), while single values
shall be no greater than 60 cm.1)
c) There shall be no flaming or glowing combustion on the underside. When the test roof is opened upon
completion of each test, none of the layers shall exhibit glowing combustion.
d) There shall be no molten dripping.
e) During the test, the test roof shall remain intact so that no burning or glowing pieces fall through the
roofing (for roofs as in subclause 6.3) or through the decking (for roofs as in subclause 6.4). Burnt holes up
to 0,25 cm 2 (where the total area of all holes is not greater than 45 cm2) are permitted, provided the edge-
to-edge distance between holes is at least 1 cm.

5 Verifying resistance to flying brands and radiant heat 2)

5.1 Verification on the basis of fire tests
Resistance to flying brands and radiant heat shall be determined on the basis of the fire tests specified in this
standard.

5.2 Materials that do not require testing

The roofing materials listed in subclause 8.7 of DIN 4102-4 are regarded as being resistant to flying brands and
radiant heat, and therefore do not require testing.

1
) Any brief flaming of fire effluents released by the molten material shall be disregarded.
2
) Testing for resistance to flying brands and radiant heat is not a substitute for testing resistance to solar
radiation (see DIN 52123 and DIN 16726).
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DIN 4102-7 : 1998-07

6 Test roofs
6.1 Preparation
One test roof measuring at least 250 cm × 200 cm shall be prepared for each pitch to be tested (15° or 45°). A
single test roof representing both pitches will suffice if testing as in subclause 7.4 results in burnt areas which
are so small that an interaction between them can be ruled out.
The top layer of the test roof shall have one lap joint parallel with the pitch and one perpendicular to the pitch,
depending on the design of the roof type under test.
Test roofs shall be representative of the roof type under test as regards the type of materials used, the number
of layers (including insulation, vapour barriers, etc.) and the means of attachment.
See subclauses 6.3 and 6.4 for more design details.

6.2 Conditioning
Prior to testing, roofing materials which are naturally moist and timber boarding as in subclause 6.4.1 shall be
conditioned at an ambient temperature of (20 t 5) °C and 50 % to 70 % relative humidity.

6.3 Roofing not intended for continuous decking

For roofing that will not be installed on decking, the maximum span between supports shall be as specified by
the manufacturer.

6.4 Roofing intended for continuous decking

6.4.1 Roofing that will be installed on continuous decking shall be tested on timber boarding or trapezoidal
steel sheeting.
Timber boarding used as decking shall consist of unplaned spruce boards that are approximately 20 mm thick,
run parallel to the eaves, have trimmed longitudinal edges and are tightly butted.
Trapezoidal steel sheeting used as decking shall be of strip-galvanized sheets with a thickness of 0,75 mm. The
overall depth shall be about 160 mm, the pitch shall be about 250 mm, and the width of the top flanges about
120 mm. Stiffeners shall run parallel to the eaves and have open ends. To obtain reproducible test results, all
test laboratories shall use the same type of steel sheeting.3)
Table 1 gives criteria for selecting the test roof decking.

6.4.2 Roofing materials that are only laid on solid non-combustible decking in practice may be tested on
10 mm thick fibre cement slabs.
Table 1: Criteria for selecting test roof decking

Decking material for test roof

Line Roof design Roof pitch Pitch of Timber Trapezoidal steel
in practice test roof boarding sheeting
1 With thermal 45° x
Any
2 insulation 15° x1 )
3 Up to 20° 15° x 2) x2 )
4 Without thermal Any 15° and 45° x
5 insulation Up to 20° 15° x
1
) Steel sheeting may be replaced by boarding if it has been ensured that no holes will burn through to
the decking.
2
) Testing need only be carried out on one type of decking if it has been ensured that test roofs with the
other decking material would pass the fire test or if the material in question is not used for the roof type
under test.

6.5 Dome lights and other closures for roof apertures

Dome lights and other closures for roof apertures are to be fitted using side fixtures. Dimensions and means
of attachment shall be as in practice. Test roofs with dome lights shall be resistant to flying brands and radiant
heat at least in the area near the fixtures, which shall also have thermal insulation and a bituminous surface seal.

3
) Information on sources of supply is obtainable from DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V., D-10772 Berlin.
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DIN 4102-7 : 1998-07

7 Procedure
7.1 The fire tests shall be carried out in a closed, draught-free test room at least 150 m3 in volume and having
an ambient temperature of (20 t 5) °C prior to testing. An exhaust hood with a base having about the same area
as the test roof may be fitted above the roof so that smoke generated during the test is extracted without
drawing off extra air, etc.
The edges of the test roof may be provided with baffles to prevent gases formed beneath the roof from rising
to its upper side.

7.2 Condition DIN 4077 – 20 × 2 wood wool of spruce in DIN 50014 – 20/65-2 standard atmosphere until
constant mass has been reached. Press 600 g of the conditioned wood wool evenly into a wire cage (wire
diameter: 3 mm, width of (square) apertures: 50 mm) that is open at the top and bottom and measures
300 mm × 300 mm × 200 mm. The cage shall have a 1 cm-long foot at each corner to ensure it sits 1 cm above
the test roof (as specified in subclause 7.3) when placed directly on the roof.

7.3 Suspend the filled cage about 1 cm above and parallel to the test roof (where profiled sheeting is used,
this distance shall be measured from the top flanges). Where the test roof material is such that the cage will not
sink into it under the effects of heat, the filled cage may be placed directly on the roof. For each test, ignite the
wood wool on the bottom of all four sides simultaneously.

7.4 Four tests shall be carried out on each test roof, one with the wire cage placed over a lap joint running
parallel to the pitch, one with the cage placed over a lap perpendicular to the pitch, and two with the cage over
surfaces without any laps. Three tests are sufficient for roofs not having any joints or where the surface area
is small enough that butt or lap joints will be exposed to fire in any case.
For test roofs with dome lights, two tests shall be carried out with the ignited cage over side fixtures and at least
one test with the cage over the dome’s surface. Other closures for roof apertures shall be subjected to at least
three tests with the cage at the least favourable points.

7.5 The principal burning effects on the test roof shall be recorded during the test, which shall last 60 minutes
from the time at which the wood wool first ignites.
After 30 minutes of testing, extinguish any flames on the test roof (e.g. by briefly laying a fire blanket over them)
and remove the wire cage. Do not use water to extinguish the flames.
Once the test has been completed (i.e. after 60 minutes), open the test roof near the area which has burned and
check all layers for visible glowing combustion.4), 5)
Testing may be prematurely terminated if a clear test result has been obtained.
Fire tests are to be carried out successively on one test roof, although there shall be pauses between each test
if the results of one test could affect those of the following test (e.g. due to the roof being preheated).

8 Exceptions to the standard test procedure

8.1 Other roof pitches
In special cases, testing may be carried out on a test roof with the pitch it will have in practice, even if this differs
from the pitches specified above. However, the test pitch shall not be less than 15°. Test results are then valid
only for the pitch tested.

8.2 Other conditioning methods

If there are doubts as to whether the fire behaviour of the roofing can be adequately assessed when conditioned
as specified in subclause 6.2, then test roofs are to be tested both after conditioning as in subclause 6.2 and
after conditioning as in practice.

9 Test certificate
9.1 If the roof meets the requirements specified in clause 4, a test certificate6) shall be drawn up describing
the course of testing and test results. The certificate shall refer to this standard and provide the information
specified in subclauses 9.2 to 9.8.

4
) Glowing combustion is more readily identifiable in a darkened room. Smoke rising from the test roof is a sign
of glowing combustion.
5
) If glowing combustion has been observed, the test roof should be torn apart and the combustion thoroughly
extinguished with water after all tests have been completed.
6
) This test certificate can serve as an ‘allgemeines bauaufsichtliches Prüfzeugnis’ (general test certificate) or
as the basis of an ‘allgemeine bauaufsichtliche Zulassung’ (agrément) for building inspectorate approval
purposes.
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DIN 4102-7 : 1998-07

9.2 Give a precise description of the test roof construction, including the means of attachment (nails, adhe-
sives, etc.). For all materials used, give the density or mass per unit area, the material class as in DIN 4102-1,
and – where applicable – the moisture content and amount applied (e.g. of adhesives).

9.3 Describe any observations made during the test and the time at which these observations were made,
including significant information such as:
– whether the flames went out by themselves (and the time at which this happened) or whether the flames
had to be extinguished manually after 30 minutes of testing;
– the length of run of flaming material (e.g. droplets);
– the presence of molten dripping;
– the formation of holes in the roof;
– the presence of flames or glowing combustion on the underside of the roof;
– visible glowing combustion in the roofing or decking observed upon completion of the test.

9.4 Record the size of areas destroyed by charring or burning, including those on the surface and interior of
the roof. Give the nature and extent of damage to the roof deck.

9.5 Include a photograph of the test roof.

9.6 Summarize the test results and state whether or not the requirements of clause 4 have been met.

9.7 Give the range of roof pitches for which the certificate applies (cf. clause 4 and subclause 8.1).

9.8 Include the period of validity of the test certificate, which shall be limited to a maximum of five years,
initially. The validity may be extended later upon request.