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The EN 16733 smouldering test is a European test method performed outside the scope of accreditation, which determines whether a building product tends to exhibit sustained smouldering when exposed to a flame under natural convection. Smouldering is a form of combustion without a visible flame, but may be accompanied by glowing and smoke production.
Smouldering behaviour can lead to hidden sources of fire that are discovered only at a late stage, with potentially serious or fatal consequences. The test makes it possible to identify building materials that may exhibit unsafe fire behaviour even after a flame has been extinguished.
The smouldering test is carried out according to a fixed protocol. The test specimen is mounted vertically and exposed to a constant flame for 15 minutes. During and after this heating phase, the fire behaviour is observed, focusing on flame spread, smouldering behaviour, and any re-ignition after the flame has been removed.
Six thermocouples are installed at different heights in the test specimen to continuously monitor temperature development. After the heating phase, an extinguishing plate is placed against the specimen. If the specimen continues to smoulder or re-ignites thereafter, the product is deemed unsuitable.
The test is performed twice. For materials with an asymmetric or direction-sensitive construction, testing is carried out in both orientations.
A building product is considered to be smouldering if one or more of the following occur:
the Dutch Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl) sets requirements for the reaction to fire of materials depending on the application and position of a building product within the construction. The results of the EN 16733 smouldering test may be decisive in determining whether a product can be applied within the applicable regulations.
