DIN Standards Committee Building and Civil Engineering
Fire behaviour of building materials and building components — Part 20: Complementary verification for the assessment of the fire behavior of external wall claddings
Abstract
This standard defines a test method as a basis for the verification and assessment of the reaction to fire performance of building products and types of construction intended for use on the surfaces of vertical, space-enclosing external walls of buildings. The test tests the exposure of the external wall cladding to flames from a wall opening. Fire exposure from the rear ("burning through" of the separating wall) is excluded. Other fire scenarios may require additional tests. The results of this test, in conjunction with the assessment of the building materials used and the external wall cladding system in accordance with DIN 4102-1 or DIN EN 13501-1, also serve as a basis for assessing the fire behavior of external wall cladding systems, including any necessary structural fire protection measures. The aim of the test is to determine what contribution the external wall cladding makes to the spread of fire on the façade. The test and assessment is carried out on the complete system, including any fire protection measures. Proof of non-combustibility is not possible with this test method. This standard does not make any statements on the fire resistance of building components (external walls). The fire behavior of an exterior wall cladding or coating is not only influenced by the type of building materials used, but also by their shape, mass, bonding with other materials, fasteners, processing method and the structural arrangement of the building materials and components used. The above-mentioned influences must be taken into account when preparing the test, selecting and constructing the test specimens and evaluating the test results. This standard is applicable to claddings and surface coatings (paints, plasters, etc.) used on the vertical exterior wall of buildings. Included are elements with a limited application area, These include, for example: - External thermal insulation composite systems; including the basic system components, such as adhesive mortar, insulating material, reinforcing mesh, plaster systems, claddings and all structural designs, such as additional mechanical fasteners, opening connections, joint designs, plinth finishes and fire barriers. - External wall claddings with cavities across storeys or separated by storey; including the basic system components, such as fasteners, insulation material, substructure, cladding material and all structural designs, such as fire barriers, rear ventilation grilles/lintel design, additional fasteners, connecting and anchoring means, opening connections, joint designs, joint profiles, plinth finishes, etc. Examples of such external wall claddings are - curtain-type, rear-ventilated façade cladding in accordance with DIN 18516-1, DIN 18516-3, DIN 18516-4 and DIN 18516-5; - small-format façade elements with ≤ 0.4 m2 surface area and ≤ 5 kg dead load; - board-type façade elements with a width of ≤ 0.3 m and support distances through the substructure ≤ 0.8 m; - Fully supported metal cladding (e.g. copper, aluminum on wood cladding/cladding according to DIN EN 14783); - self-supporting wall cladding elements made of sheet metal in accordance with DIN EN 14782; - Laminated glass and laminated safety glass DIN EN ISO 12543 1; - Photovoltaic systems including cabling on or in façade cladding systems. - Elements with limited application surface; Decorative profiles, fastening elements, reveal panels, advertising elements, balcony cladding, etc. - Textile coverings/façade membranes/films; - formwork components; only the outer layer of a room-enclosing exterior wall made of formwork blocks is included. - Double-skin masonry; - Large-area shading elements
Begin
2026-05-05
Planned document number
DIN 4102-20
Project number
00520144
