Frameclad recently achieved the UK’s first BS EN 1366-3 floor penetration fire test in light steel frame (LSF) construction. Frameclad’s Joint Managing Directors Martin Jamieson and Nik Teagle, explain how the groundbreaking test – covering six penetration types – set a new benchmark for LSF fire performance.
THE UK CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY has undergone a decisive and necessary shift towards safer, more resilient building systems, particularly in the residential sector. Protecting people, property and investment are essential business objectives and driven by post Grenfell legislative reform and the Building Safety Act 2022, regulatory bodies now quite rightly demand demonstrably higher standards of fire safety performance. In this environment, rigorous third-party fire testing is not merely best practice – it is a cornerstone of responsible specification.
UK first for floor penetration fire testing
Carried out at Element Materials Technology, under Warrington fire Testing and Certification’s flexible scope of UKAS accreditation, this is understood to be the first test of its kind conducted using light steel frame floor construction in the UK. Utilising Quelfire products and systems, the light steel frame floor assembly incorporated six different service penetration types, each sealed using a different Quelfire passive fire protection system. These included multiple pipework penetrations of varying sizes, as well as cable penetrations, each configured with a unique combination of Quelfire fire stopping products to assess performance across a range of real world scenarios.
Applicable test standard
The tests were conducted in accordance with BS EN 1366- 3:2021+A1:2024 incorporating corrigendum September 2025 – Fire resistance tests for service installations: Part 3 – Penetration seals. This European standard defines the test methods, specimen preparation, exposure conditions and classification criteria for penetration seals installed in floors and walls. Classification under this standard is expressed as E (integrity) and I (insulation), combined with the achieved duration in minutes – for example EI 90.
What is a service penetration?
As many will be aware, a service penetration is an opening created in a floor, wall or ceiling to allow essential building services to pass between compartments. Whilst structurally necessary, unsealed or inadequately sealed penetrations represent a critical vulnerability in a building’s passive fire protection (PFP) strategy. Fire and hot gases can spread rapidly through these openings, undermining compartmentation and placing occupants at risk. Correctly sealing all service penetrations with tested and certified fire-resistant systems is a legal and moral obligation for designers, contractors and building owners, particularly in higher-risk buildings.
Floor build-up and configuration
A single floor assembly was constructed and tested, incorporating six discrete circular penetration apertures – each sealed using a different Quelfire passive fire protection system. This approach allowed direct performance comparison across six product types within a single, controlled test environment. The build-up was consistent across all six penetration locations. Pipe and cable services were supported at intervals from the unexposed face using frames fabricated from Frameclad C-channels with steel pipe clamps. Each of the six apertures was then sealed individually using a distinct Quelfire penetration sealing system, enabling a comprehensive, comparative assessment of product performance within a single test.
Outstanding results across all six specimens
Despite each of the six penetration sealing systems employing a distinct product and installation methodology, the fire test results were uniformly exceptional. The structural integrity of each specimen was maintained for 98 minutes, with the test discontinued after a period of 99 minutes – comfortably exceeding the 90-minute classification threshold. At no point during the test duration were any visible signs of fire penetration or damage observed on the unexposed (upper) face of the floor assembly. The results demonstrate that all six Quelfire penetration sealing systems can maintain compartmentation within a light steel frame floor construction under full fire exposure conditions.
Trusted partner
Independent, third-party tests and certifications from fire test centres offer a clear benchmark for performance under fire conditions and help our technical team ensure that our light steel frame systems specified – particularly for higher-risk buildings – are fit for purpose. As the construction industry leans into the challenges of fire safety, Frameclad stands as a trusted partner, delivering highperformance, accredited and innovative solutions that protect people, property and investment.
