Fire-retardant artificial green walls are increasingly specified for offices, hotels, restaurantes, retail spaces and public interiors. In these projects, a buyer needs more than a product described as “flame-retardant”. The important question is: what fire-performance evidence applies to the exact product and the way it will be installed?
This guide explains the terminology buyers see in European test documents, including EN 13501-1, EN 13823 (the SBI test) y EN ISO 11925-2. It is written for procurement and design teams comparing artificial green wall panels—not as a substitute for the project’s fire engineer, building-control authority or local regulations.
Fire-retardant does not mean fireproof
“Fire-retardant” is a useful product description, but it is not a universal project approval. Artificial foliage is normally made from polymer materials, and the performance of a finished green-wall system depends on more than one leaf or one raw-material sample. A typical system can include foliage, stems, conectores, a mesh or grid, a backing panel, ties, adhesives and fixings.
Fire resistance is different from reaction to fire. EN 13501-1 classifications concern the product’s reaction to fire under prescribed test methods. They should not be presented as a promise that a wall will stop a fire or remain intact for a stated number of minutes.
What EN 13501-1 tells you
EN 13501-1 provides a harmonised procedure for classifying the reaction to fire of construction products and building elements using test data. The final designation combines a main fire class with smoke and flaming-droplet classifications.
| Code | Meaning | Buyer’s reading |
|---|---|---|
| A1–F | Main reaction-to-fire class | B is a reaction-to-fire class. It does not mean non-combustible, fireproof or fire resistance for a set number of minutes. |
| s1 / s2 / s3 | Smoke production | s1 is the most restrictive of these three categories. s3 means the product did not meet the limits for s1 or s2. |
| d0 / d1 / d2 | Flaming droplets or particles | d0 means no flaming droplets or particles were recorded in the relevant SBI observation period. It is not a guarantee for every real-fire scenario. |
Quick comparison of B classifications
| Classification | Main class | Smoke category | Droplets / particles | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-s1,d0 | B | s1 — most restrictive of these three | d0 | Lower smoke category under the prescribed classification criteria. |
| B-s2,d0 | B | s2 — intermediate | d0 | Intermediate smoke category under the prescribed classification criteria. |
| B-s3,d0 | B | s3 — least restrictive of these three | d0 | Not automatically a failure; acceptance depends on the local rule and project specification. |
B-s1,d0, B-s2,d0 and B-s3,d0
The three examples below all have the same main class, B, and the same droplet classification, d0. The difference is the smoke classification:
- B-s1,d0: the most restrictive smoke category among these examples.
- B-s2,d0: an intermediate smoke category.
- B-s3,d0: the least restrictive smoke category in this group; it is not automatically a “failed” or “unqualified” product.
Whether one of these classifications is acceptable depends on the country, building use, location of the wall, escape-route strategy, complete tested configuration and the project specification. Ask for the complete designation and the report scope.
Why the tested configuration matters
The same material can perform differently when its form, soporte, fijaciones, orientation or surrounding materials change. Before relying on a classification, check the exact SKU, specimen description, mounting and fixing, substrate and orientation, test methods, classification page, field of application, report holder and date.
This is why a report for one foliage component should not automatically be used as proof for every finished green-wall panel. Send the proposed installation drawing and exact SKU to the supplier for a document review before ordering.
Surface treatment versus material-stage fire retardancy
Manufacturers may use a surface treatment or a material-stage/compounded approach. Neither process description proves a Euroclass result by itself. “Halogen-free” and “phosphorus-based” are not mutually exclusive labels, and neither one automatically means s1 or low smoke. The classification must come from the tested product and configuration.
Why a lighter video is not an EN 13501-1 test
A lighter or torch demonstration may help a quality-control team observe ignition behaviour, but it does not measure the heat release, smoke growth or classification criteria used in a laboratory test. It cannot establish B-s1,d0, B-s2,d0 or B-s3,d0.
A practical buying workflow for B2B projects
- Share the project country, building type, installation location and intended use.
- State the required reaction-to-fire class from the project specification.
- Select the exact panel design and ask for the matching report before approval.
- Compare the report’s specimen and mounting details with the proposed installation.
- Confirm whether the report covers the full system or only a component.
- Keep the report, product revision and installation instructions in the project file.
- Have the local fire consultant or authority confirm final suitability.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is B-s3,d0 fireproof?
No. It is a reaction-to-fire classification, not a fireproof or fire-resistance duration claim.
Is B-s3,d0 automatically unacceptable?
No. Acceptability depends on the applicable regulation and project specification.
Does “halogen-free” guarantee low smoke?
No. Low-smoke performance must be demonstrated by test data for the finished product.
Can I use a report for foliage on a complete panel?
Not without checking the report scope, soporte, fijaciones, adhesive, air gap and substrate.
Request a SKU-specific review
Send us the project location, intended installation, required classification and panel design. All Weather Greens can review the available documentation for the relevant SKU and help you compare the tested configuration with your specification. Contacto [email protected] or WhatsApp +86 135 3752 5123.
For the commercial range, the current documentation scope and DDP pricing, see our flame retardant artificial foliage wall panels ..