Proper fire protection planning: B1, B-s1,d0, M1 and important proofs


Textile tension frame and fabric banners with fire protection classification B1, B-s1,d0 and M1
Proper fire protection planning: B1, B-s1,d0, M1 and important proofs

Fire protection requirements play an important role in the planning of interiors, commercial buildings, retail spaces, office buildings, hotels, educational institutions, exhibition halls, and industrial buildings.

Architects, interior designers, specialist planners, purchasers, and contractors often encounter terms such as B1, B-s1,d0, M1, or flame retardant.

But what exactly do these classifications mean? Are B1 and B-s1,d0 comparable? Which proofs are valid in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or France? And what needs to be considered to ensure that a fire protection certificate actually matches the planned product and its intended application?

Considering fire protection requirements already in the planning phase avoids queries, delays, subsequent changes, and unnecessary additional costs.

The most important things at a glance

Germany

B1

German building material class according to DIN 4102-1.

Europe

B-s1,d0

European classification according to EN 13501-1.

France

M1

National classification used in France.

Important

Not automatically equivalent

B1, B-s1,d0, and M1 should not be equated across the board.

Project approval

"Flame retardant" is often not enough

Concrete proof is crucial for project approval.

Proof

The specific product matters

A proof is only valid for the materials, products, constructions, and application conditions described therein.

Installation

The installation situation can be crucial

Substrate, fastening, air gap, and installation method can be decisive for validity.

Project

The specifications decide

The tender, the fire protection concept, and the specific installation situation are always decisive.

What does B1 mean?

B1 is a building material class according to the German standard DIN 4102-1.

A material of class B1 is considered flame retardant under the specified test conditions. This does not mean that it is incombustible or fireproof.

Flame-retardant materials can generally burn. However, compared to normally flammable materials, they show a more favorable fire behavior under the defined test conditions and contribute only limitedly to fire spread.

In common parlance, one often speaks of a "B1 certificate." Technically, however, B1 does not refer to the document itself, but to the corresponding classification.

What is a B1 proof?

Proof of a B1 classification can take different forms depending on the product and application.

These include, for example:

  • test certificates
  • test reports
  • classification reports
  • building authority proofs
  • product-specific fire protection documentation

It's not just the name of the document that matters. What is important is which materials, products, and applications are actually covered.

Important: The general statement "B1 certified" is often insufficient for evaluating a specific project.

What should be checked in a B1 proof?

Material & Product

  • exact product or material designation
  • material composition
  • grammage
  • material thickness
  • surface finish
  • coatings or laminations

Processing & System

  • confectioning
  • accessory materials
  • intended substrate
  • fastening method

Installation situation

  • existing air gap
  • wall, ceiling, or free-hanging installation
  • direct and extended application area

Document & Validity

  • issue date
  • validity period
  • restrictions
  • conditions

A proof does not automatically apply to every similar material or every different construction.

What does B-s1,d0 mean?

B-s1,d0 is a European classification of fire behavior according to EN 13501-1.

The designation consists of three components:

Main Class

B

Describes the contribution to fire. Class B indicates a very limited contribution to fire.

Smoke

s1

Describes smoke development. s1 is the lowest or most stringent smoke class within this ranking.

Droplets

d0

Describes burning droplets or particles. d0 means no burning dripping or falling within the relevant test period.

What does class B mean?

The European main classes for fire behavior range from A1 and A2, through B, C, D and E, to F.

Class Simplified classification
A1 no contribution to fire
A2 very limited contribution to fire
B very limited contribution to fire
C limited contribution to fire
D acceptable contribution to fire
E basic requirements are met
F no performance determined or requirements not met

Class B thus represents a comparatively favorable fire behavior within the European classification system.

What does s1 mean?

The letter "s" stands for "smoke."

Classes s1, s2, and s3 describe smoke development:

  • s1: lowest or most stringent smoke class
  • s2: higher smoke development than s1
  • s3: requirements for s1 or s2 are not met or not proven

s1 does not mean that no smoke is produced in a fire. However, smoke development is classified as particularly low within the classification system.

What does d0 mean?

The letter "d" describes the occurrence of burning droplets or particles.

  • d0: no burning dripping or falling within the relevant test period
  • d1: limited burning dripping or falling
  • d2: requirements for d0 or d1 are not met
B-s1,d0 therefore describes a material with a very limited contribution to fire, particularly low smoke development, and no burning dripping or falling within the relevant test period.
Is B-s1,d0 the same as B1?
No. B1 according to DIN 4102-1 and B-s1,d0 according to EN 13501-1 are not direct translations of each other.

The systems differ, among other things, in terms of:

  • test procedures
  • test specimens
  • evaluation criteria
  • additional classifications
  • areas of application
  • documentation

Therefore, a specific Euroclass cannot be automatically derived from a B1 proof. Conversely, a European classification should not be generally referred to as B1.

For a specific project, the classification required in the project documents is always decisive.

These include, for example:

  • fire protection concept
  • tender
  • bill of quantities
  • approval planning
  • operator requirements
  • landlord specifications
  • requirements of exhibition companies
  • specifications of the fire protection planner
  • official regulations
What fire protection requirements apply in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France?

Germany

In Germany, both national classifications according to DIN 4102-1 and European classifications according to DIN EN 13501-1 can be relevant.

Which classification is required depends, among other things, on:

  • type of product
  • building use
  • building class
  • installation location
  • size of the area
  • mounting method
  • fire protection concept
  • tender
  • building regulatory framework

The statement “flame-retardant” or “B1” therefore does not replace the testing of the specific proof.

It is particularly important whether the documented application area matches the intended use.

Austria

In Austria, fire protection requirements arise in particular from the OIB Guidelines and the building regulations of the individual federal states.

Since the OIB Guidelines are implemented by the federal states, different versions, transitional regulations or country-specific deviations may apply.

Therefore, for each project, the following should be checked:

  • In which federal state is the project located?
  • Which version of the OIB Guidelines applies?
  • What requirements does the fire protection concept specify?
  • What European classification is required?
  • Is the existing proof for the specific product and the intended application recognized?

A German B1 certificate is not automatically sufficient project proof for Austria.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, materials and building materials are assigned, among other things, to the fire behaviour groups of the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurances, or VKF for short.

Group Classification
RF1 no fire contribution
RF2 low fire contribution
RF3 acceptable fire contribution
RF4 unacceptable fire contribution

Additionally, the marking "cr" may indicate critical behaviour regarding smoke development and burning dripping or falling.

A European classification can be used to assign a material to a VKF fire behaviour group.

Whether a material may be used in the intended location also depends on:

  • Building use
  • Installation location
  • Size and arrangement of the area
  • Escape and rescue routes
  • Fire protection concept
  • specific VKF requirements

A solely German B1 certificate is therefore generally not sufficient Swiss project proof.

France

In France, both European classifications according to NF EN 13501-1 and national classes M0 to M4 may be relevant.

Class Simplified Classification
M0 non-combustible
M1 flame-retardant
M2 flame-retardant or limited flame-retardant
M3 moderately flammable
M4 easily flammable

For furnishing, decoration, and interior materials, classes M1 or M2 are often required.

A classification of B-s1,d0 can, depending on the product type, application, and French regulations, meet an M1 requirement. However, a blanket equivalence is not possible.

Even a German B1 certificate does not automatically confirm a French M1 requirement.

For projects in France, the following should be checked:

  • What classification is specifically required?
  • Which French regulations are to be applied?
  • Is a European classification report available?
  • Is a French classification certificate available, if applicable?
  • Does it cover the specific product?
  • Does the planned application correspond to the documented area of application?
  • Is the document valid at the time of the project?
Why is the statement "flame-retardant" often not enough?

The statement "flame-retardant" initially only describes a certain property or classification.

For the project-related assessment, the following must also be clarified:

  • Which standard was used for testing?
  • Which exact classification was achieved?
  • Which product is named in the proof?
  • Which version was tested?
  • Which fastening is permissible?
  • Which substrate was considered?
  • Is an air gap allowed or required?
  • Which mounting position is covered?
  • Are there any restrictions?
  • Is the proof still valid?

Only by this comparison can it be assessed whether the existing proof fundamentally fits the planned use.

Does a certificate apply only to the material or to the entire system?

That depends on the respective product, the available certificate and the project requirement.

For a textile stretched frame, a light wall, or an acoustic element, different components can be relevant:

  • Textile
  • Frame construction
  • Keder
  • Back panel
  • Acoustic material
  • Lighting
  • Electrical components
  • Fasteners
  • Substrate
  • Wall or ceiling clearance
  • Air gap

Proof for a single material is not automatically proof for the complete product or the entire system construction.

Conversely, a tested system construction can be tied to specific materials, components, and installation conditions.

Before tendering or ordering, it should therefore be clarified whether a material certificate or a certificate for the complete system construction is required.
When is fire protection certification required?

Whether fire protection certification is required depends on the specific project.

Important influencing factors are:

  • Type of building
  • Building use
  • Installation location
  • Size of the area
  • Mounting type
  • Accessibility
  • Location in escape and rescue routes
  • Distance to potential ignition sources
  • Fire protection concept
  • Operator requirements
  • Landlord specifications
  • Insurer requirements
  • Official regulations

Fire protection certificates are particularly often required in commercial, public, and industrial interior design.

For which applications is fire protection particularly relevant?

Fire protection requirements can be relevant for the following products and applications, among others:

Textile stretched frames textile wall surfaces light walls LED light frames acoustic pictures textile acoustic elements exhibition walls exhibition stands ceiling hangers free-hanging elements textile ceiling surfaces room dividers partitions large-format wall coverings information and presentation systems

Typical Areas of Application

Office buildings reception areas conference rooms industrial and administrative buildings educational institutions schools universities hotels gastronomy retail spaces shopfitting shopping centers exhibition halls event venues healthcare facilities practices clinics public buildings

Fire protection in escape and rescue routes

Particularly high requirements may apply in escape and rescue routes.

Whether a material or system may be used there depends, among other things, on:

  • Building class
  • Building use
  • Location and position of the product
  • Size of the area
  • Material class
  • System structure
  • Substructure
  • Fire protection concept
  • Official requirements
A classification such as B1 or B-s1,d0 is not an automatic approval for use in an escape or rescue route.

The intended use should be coordinated in advance with the responsible fire protection planner or the responsible authority.

Why should fire protection be planned early?

If fire protection is only checked shortly before production, delivery or installation, significant problems can arise.

Possible consequences include:

  • unsuitable material selection
  • missing or inappropriate proofs
  • unaccepted classifications
  • changes to the construction
  • changes to the assembly
  • delays in project execution
  • additional coordination
  • additional costs
  • reproduction
  • rejection by operator or testing authority

Early inspection improves planning certainty and facilitates coordination between client, planner, manufacturer, contractor, and fire protection officer.

Checklist for Architects, Interior Designers, and Planners

Before tendering or ordering, the following points should be clarified:

1. Determine project requirements

  1. In which country will the product be used?
  2. At which specific location is the project situated?
  3. Which regional or national legal requirements apply?
  4. Which classification does the tender require?
  5. What specifications does the fire protection concept contain?
  6. Is B1, a Euroclass, a VKF group or M1 required?

2. Match product and material

  1. Does the proof apply to the exact product designation?
  2. Do the material composition and basis weight match?
  3. Which system components are covered by the proof?

3. Check installation situation

  1. Which substrate is intended?
  2. Is an air gap present?
  3. Is the mounting on the wall, on the ceiling, or free-hanging?
  4. Does the mounting correspond to the documented application area?
  5. Does the proof refer to the material or to the entire system?

4. Consider special project conditions

  1. Are there special requirements for escape and rescue routes?
  2. Does the proof need to be submitted before production or installation?
  3. Is approval by the fire protection planner required?

5. Check validity

  1. Is the certificate valid at the time of the project?

In case of doubt, the selection should be coordinated with the fire protection planner, the operator or the responsible inspection body before ordering.

Planning fire protection and design together

Fire protection requirements do not exclude high-quality and individual interior design.

Flame-retardant materials and suitable systems can:

  • enable large-format design concepts
  • be used flexibly
  • be easily interchangeable
  • be combined with lighting
  • take on acoustic functions
  • be integrated into wall and ceiling constructions

The prerequisite is that material, classification, construction and assembly are considered already during the planning phase.

Solutions from PRIMEX

PRIMEX offers solutions for professional applications, including:

  • Custom textile tension frames
  • Fabric banners
  • LED light frames
  • Light walls
  • textile wall solutions
  • individual acoustic pictures
  • solutions for shop fitting
  • solutions for exhibition stand construction
  • solutions for interior design and object design

For selected materials, certificates according to DIN 4102-1 or EN 13501-1 are available.

Whether an existing certificate is suitable for a specific project must be checked based on the respective material, product structure, and planned installation situation.

Are you planning a project with special fire protection requirements?

Please let us know your requirements as early as possible, ideally during the planning phase.

The following information, in particular, is helpful for an initial assessment:

Project

  • Country of use
  • Project location
  • Building use

Product

  • desired product
  • dimensions
  • quantity

Installation

  • planned installation location
  • intended mounting method

Fire protection requirements

  • required fire protection class
  • tender documents
  • relevant information from the fire protection concept

On this basis, it can be checked which materials, systems and existing certificates are generally suitable for your project.

Have your project and fire protection requirements checked

Note: The information on this page is for general orientation. It does not replace a project-related fire protection technical assessment, an inspection by a fire protection expert, or official or building authority approval.

Frequently asked questions about fire protection classes and certifications
What does B1 mean?

B1 is a German building material class according to DIN 4102-1. A material of class B1 is considered flame-retardant under the specified test conditions. However, it is not automatically non-combustible or fire-resistant.

What is a B1 certificate?

The term "B1 certificate" is often used colloquially. Technically, B1 refers to the building material class. The actual proof can be, for example, a test certificate, a test report, or a classification report.

Is the designation "B1 certified" sufficient?

For an initial material description, this information can be helpful. However, it is often not sufficient for the approval of a specific project.

It must be checked whether the certificate covers the exact material, the product structure and the intended installation.

What does B-s1,d0 mean?

B-s1,d0 is a European classification according to EN 13501-1.

  • B stands for a very limited contribution to fire.
  • s1 stands for a particularly low smoke development.
  • d0 stands for no burning droplets or falling particles within the relevant test period.
Does s1 mean that no smoke is produced?

No. s1 does not mean smoke-free. The class describes a particularly low smoke development within the European system.

Does d0 mean that the material does not melt?

Not automatically. d0 means that no burning dripping or falling was observed during the relevant test period. However, the material may still deform or melt under heat.

Is B-s1,d0 the same as B1?

No. B1 and B-s1,d0 come from different classification systems with different test procedures and assessment criteria. They should therefore not be equated across the board.

Is B-s1,d0 better than B1?

A direct comparison is not possible. The crucial factor is not which class is generally referred to as "better", but which classification is required for the specific project.

What does M1 mean?

M1 is a French classification of fire behaviour. It is often required for furnishing, decorative, and interior materials and simply stands for flame-retardant.

Are B1 and M1 equivalent?

No. B1 is a German classification, M1 is a French classification. A B1 certificate does not automatically meet a French M1 requirement.

Can B-s1,d0 fulfill an M1 requirement?

Depending on the product type, application and French regulations, B-s1,d0 may meet an M1 requirement. This must be checked based on the specific classification document and project specifications.

Is a German B1 certificate valid in Austria?

Not automatically. In Austria, the OIB guidelines and the regulations of the respective federal state are particularly relevant.

Is a German B1 certificate valid in Switzerland?

A purely German B1 certificate is generally not sufficient project evidence in Switzerland. In Switzerland, the VKF fire protection regulations and the corresponding fire behavior groups are particularly relevant.

What do RF1, RF2, RF3 and RF4 mean?

RF1 to RF4 are Swiss fire behavior groups.

  • RF1: no contribution to fire
  • RF2: low contribution to fire
  • RF3: permissible contribution to fire
  • RF4: impermissible contribution to fire

Which group is required depends on the building and the installation location.

When is fire protection proof required?

Proof may be required when materials or systems are used in commercial, public, or particularly regulated buildings. The specific requirement arises from the fire protection concept, the tender, and applicable regulations.

Does every textile tension frame require fire protection certification?

No, not automatically. Whether a certificate is required depends, among other things, on the building use, the installation location, the size and the type of installation.

What fire protection applies to textile tension frames?

There is no universally applicable fire protection class for all textile tension frames. The requirements depend on the material, the system structure, the installation location and the fire protection concept.

Do light walls and LED light frames require special certificates?

Depending on the project, in addition to the textile, the frame, back panel, LED modules, power supplies, electrical components and fasteners may also be relevant.

It must be clarified whether a material certificate or a certificate for a specific system structure is required.

Do acoustic pictures require fire protection certification?

This depends on the place of use and the project requirements. For acoustic pictures, in addition to the surface, the acoustic material, the frame, the back panel, and the installation may also be relevant.

Does a material certificate automatically apply to the entire product?

No. A certificate for a single material does not automatically apply to the complete system assembly.

Is flame-retardant the same as non-combustible?

No. Flame-retardant materials can fundamentally burn. Non-combustible materials are, for example, assigned to European classes A1 or A2.

Is flame-retardant the same as fireproof?

No. Flame-retardant describes the fire behavior of a material. Fire resistance or fireproofness refer to other properties and should not be equated.

May a B1 material be used in an escape route?

Not automatically. A B1 classification is not a blanket approval for escape and rescue routes. The decisive factors are the fire protection concept, the area, the installation situation, and the official requirements.

How do I know if a certificate applies to my project?

Compare the certificate with the planned product and the installation situation.

Check in particular:

  • Product designation
  • Material composition
  • Grammage
  • System components
  • Fastening
  • Substrate
  • Air gap
  • Mounting position
  • Area of application
  • Validity
How long is a fire protection certificate valid?

This depends on the type of document, the country of issue and the relevant regulations. The issue date, validity and possible restrictions should always be checked.

Who decides which certificate is required?

The requirements can be defined by, among others:

  • Fire protection planners
  • Architects
  • Builders
  • Operators
  • Landlords
  • Authorities
  • Insurers
  • Trade fair companies
  • Certified experts
When should the fire protection certificate be checked?

Ideally, during planning and before ordering. This way, unsuitable materials, delays and additional costs can be avoided.

Does PRIMEX's consultation replace a fire protection planner?

No. PRIMEX can compare existing materials, systems and fire protection documents with the stated project requirements.

The final fire protection assessment and approval is carried out by the responsible specialist planners, inspectors or authorities.

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