Assessment

Product assessment is the process of demonstrating that a system or product meets the performance classifications required by British or European Standards. This can be achieved through direct fire testing, design to recognised standards, or by applying relevant test evidence in place of a specific test. In certain cases, products may also qualify under “Classification Without Further Testing (CWFT).”

Any assessment must carefully consider the intended use of the product, as even small changes in design, fixing methods, or materials can significantly affect fire performance. Assessments are not a substitute for testing where tests are necessary, but when used appropriately and backed by sufficient evidence, they provide a reliable means of confirming compliance. Extended application standards (EXAPs), BS EN 15725 principles, and recognised guidance documents support this process.

Alongside fire testing, structural standards such as British and European Standards also provide calculation methods and tabulated data , depending on the product, to assess the fire performance of loadbearing and non-loadbearing elements. This allows the use of relevant structural methodologies to evaluate the fire performance of the system in hand, providing an alternative route to demonstrate compliance where appropriate. To ensure accuracy and reliability, such evaluations should always be carried out by competent professionals.

At TechNorma, our team comprises Chartered Structural Engineers (via IStructE) and Chartered Fire Engineers (via IFE), each with a strong background in fire testing. We offer expert support across a wide spectrum of assessments—from Simple to complex evaluations. Get in touch to explore how we can assist with your product assessment requirements.