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EQUITONE Fire Performance in the UAE: A2-s1,d0 Classification and NFPA 285 Testing

What is EQUITONE’s fire classification? Emirates Safety Laboratory reports confirm A2-s1,d0 under EN 13501-1:2018 for 8 mm EQUITONE [tectiva], 10 mm EQUITONE [linea] and 8 mm EQUITONE [natura], within the reports’ stated fields of application. Separate reports document NFPA 285 passes for specific exterior wall assemblies incorporating [natura] and [linea] with Fischer Tergo+ concealed fixings.

For architects, façade consultants and contractors specifying fibre cement façade panels in the UAE, these documents support an essential task: matching the proposed material and wall construction to the relevant fire-performance evidence.

Whether your project is at concept design, tender or material-submission stage, understanding this distinction helps you identify the right documentation before finalising the façade.

Need EQUITONE fire reports for a project?

Share your project location, selected panel and specification stage so we can help identify the documents you need.


Which EQUITONE panels have an A2-s1,d0 classification?

The reviewed Emirates Safety Laboratory classification reports cover these EQUITONE fibre cement panels:

EQUITONE panelSpecified thicknessEN 13501-1:2018 classificationClassification report
EQUITONE [tectiva]8 mmA2-s1,d00671-24-CR-01
EQUITONE [linea]10 mmA2-s1,d00671-24-CR-02
EQUITONE [natura]8 mmA2-s1,d00671-24-CR-03

These are product-specific classifications with defined application conditions. They should be checked against the exact panel, thickness and construction proposed for your project.

Explore the EQUITONE fibre cement panel range available through OBRAS to connect your material selection with the relevant technical documentation.

What does A2-s1,d0 mean for façade cladding?

A2-s1,d0 describes a construction product’s reaction to fire, including its contribution to fire, smoke production and flaming droplets or particles under specified test conditions.

Classification elementMeaningSpecification relevance
A2Limited contribution to fire under the classification criteriaIdentifies the product’s reaction-to-fire class
s1Low smoke production under the relevant test conditionsIdentifies its smoke-production classification
d0No flaming droplets or particles during the specified assessment periodIdentifies its flaming-droplet classification

For a façade specification, retain the complete designation A2-s1,d0 and reference the applicable classification report.

Is A2-s1,d0 a fire-resistance rating?

A2-s1,d0 does not establish a 30-, 60- or 120-minute fire-resistance period.

Reaction to fire describes how a product behaves when exposed to fire. Fire resistance addresses how a building element maintains specified functions during a fire. Evidence for one should not be used as evidence for the other.

Has EQUITONE passed NFPA 285 testing?

The supplied reports record passes against the listed NFPA 285 acceptance criteria for specific EQUITONE [natura] and [linea] exterior wall assemblies using Fischer Tergo+ concealed fixings.

Assembly identified in the reportStandard statedReport referenceRecorded result
8 mm EQUITONE [natura] with Fischer Tergo+ concealed fixingsNFPA 285:20230193-24-TR-01BPasses against the listed acceptance criteria
10 mm EQUITONE [linea] with Fischer Tergo+ concealed fixingsNFPA 285:20250729-24-TR-01Passes against the listed acceptance criteria

Both reports were issued by Emirates Safety Laboratory in Dubai.

NFPA 285 evaluates fire propagation characteristics of an exterior wall assembly under a defined exposure. The result relates to the tested construction, including the components and installation details described in the report.

When requesting an EQUITONE NFPA 285 report, identify the panel and proposed fixing method so the evidence can be reviewed against the intended façade system.

What is the difference between EN 13501-1 and NFPA 285?

EN 13501-1 provides a reaction-to-fire classification for the product within its stated application scope. NFPA 285 evaluates fire propagation behaviour of an exterior wall assembly.

QuestionRelevant evidence
What reaction-to-fire classification does the specified panel achieve?EN 13501-1 classification report
What test evidence supports that classification?Referenced reaction-to-fire test reports
How did the tested exterior wall assembly perform?NFPA 285 assembly test report
Does the evidence cover the proposed project construction?Comparison of the design with report scope and applicable supporting assessments

For example, selecting the same EQUITONE panel used in an NFPA 285 test does not automatically establish coverage for a wall with different insulation, cavity dimensions, cavity barriers or fixings.

Review those differences before relying on the assembly test result.

Which tests support the EQUITONE fire classifications?

The supplied EN classification reports reference testing to EN ISO 1716 and EN 13823.

EN ISO 1716: Gross heat of combustion

EN ISO 1716 determines the gross heat of combustion of a product. It provides evidence about the heat energy released when the material is completely burned under the test conditions.

EN 13823: Single Burning Item testing

EN 13823, commonly called the Single Burning Item or SBI test, assesses reaction-to-fire characteristics under specified conditions. These include heat release, smoke production and flaming droplets or particles.

EN 13501-1: Classification

EN 13501-1 uses the relevant test evidence to assign the reaction-to-fire classification.

For a technical submission, review the classification report together with its supporting reports and field of application.

How should UAE project teams use EQUITONE fire reports?

For projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, begin with the proposed façade construction and identify the evidence required for that project.

A useful review should connect four elements:

  1. The selected EQUITONE product and thickness.
  2. The complete proposed exterior wall build-up.
  3. The scope of the available classification and assembly test reports.
  4. The project’s applicable requirements and authority acceptance process.

For GCC projects, use the same evidence-led approach while checking the requirements of the relevant jurisdiction.

At concept design: Connect material selection with technical evidence

When developing a façade palette, identify the preferred EQUITONE collection, indicative panel thickness and fixing approach.

Reviewing fire documentation at this stage helps the design team recognise constraints before the façade details become fixed.

At tender: Define the product and supporting documentation

Tender information should clearly identify the selected panel, thickness, required performance and relevant report references.

Coordinate the panel specification with the insulation, substructure, cavity barriers and interface details so the complete construction can be reviewed.

At material submission: Compare the proposed assembly with the evidence

Review the contractor’s proposed products and installation details against the relevant reports. Identify substitutions or deviations requiring further technical assessment.

Below “Which EQUITONE panels 

have an A2-s1,d0 classification?”Close-up architectural concept showing smooth grey cladding panels, narrow joints and an adjacent vertically ribbed surface.
Confirm actual panel finishes, dimensions and installation details using manufacturer documentation and samples.

EQUITONE façade fire-documentation checklist

Before finalising a material submission, check the following:

Item to verifyInformation to confirm
Panel identityExact EQUITONE collection and product
ThicknessThickness covered by the relevant report
Reaction-to-fire classificationFull designation and report reference
Application scopePermitted variations and end-use conditions
Fixing systemProposed anchors, brackets, rails and fixing arrangement
InsulationProduct, thickness, facing and position
CavityDimensions and configuration
Cavity barriersProducts, locations and installation details
Openings and jointsWindow surrounds, panel joints, edges and interfaces
Design changesDifferences from the tested or classified construction
Project acceptanceRequired technical review and approval process

The reviewed EN classification reports allow colour variation but restrict changes to thickness, composition, layout and construction build-up as stated in their fields of application.

Checking these details early gives the project team a clearer basis for technical discussions and document requests.

Are EQUITONE fire reports the same as Civil Defence approval?

The supplied fire test and classification reports do not, by themselves, demonstrate project-specific Civil Defence approval.

The EN classification reports explicitly state that they do not represent product approval or certification. They document performance within defined conditions and support the project’s technical review.

If your submission requires authority approvals, registration documents or other compliance evidence, request those separately and confirm their current validity and applicability.

The description “fire-certified cladding” should therefore be supported by the exact document being referenced and its scope.

Frequently asked questions about EQUITONE fire performance

Where can I request EQUITONE fire reports in the UAE?

Contact OBRAS International to request the relevant EQUITONE classification and test reports. Share the selected panel, thickness, project location and proposed fixing system to help identify the appropriate documents.

Request EQUITONE fire documentation

Which EQUITONE panels are A2-s1,d0 in the reviewed reports?

The reviewed reports confirm A2-s1,d0 under EN 13501-1:2018 for 8 mm [tectiva], 10 mm [linea] and 8 mm [natura], within their stated fields of application.

Does the reviewed document set contain an NFPA 285 report for [tectiva]?

This set includes an EN classification report and supporting reaction-to-fire test reports for [tectiva]. It does not include a [tectiva] NFPA 285 report. Contact OBRAS to check the documentation available for your proposed system.

Does A2-s1,d0 mean EQUITONE is fireproof?

“Fireproof” is not an appropriate interpretation of this classification. A2-s1,d0 describes reaction-to-fire performance under specified conditions. Overall façade performance also depends on the complete assembly and installation.

Can I change the insulation or concealed fixing system?

Any change should be assessed against the report’s scope and applicable supporting evidence. A panel’s classification alone does not validate a revised exterior wall assembly.

Can these reports support a high-rise façade specification?

They can form part of the evidence reviewed for a project. Suitability for a particular high-rise building requires assessment of the complete façade, report applicability and project-specific requirements. The reports alone do not establish unrestricted approval.

Request EQUITONE reports, samples or a project discussion

OBRAS International supports architects, façade consultants, developers and contractors exploring EQUITONE fibre cement façade panels for UAE and GCC projects.

To make your enquiry useful from the first conversation, share:

  • Project location and building type
  • Current stage: concept, design development, tender or material submission
  • Preferred EQUITONE collection and thickness, if selected
  • Approximate façade area, if available
  • Proposed fixing method or wall build-up, if available
  • Support needed: reports, samples, specification discussion or quotation

Request fire-performance documentation

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Technical basis: Emirates Safety Laboratory classification reports 0671-24-CR-01, 0671-24-CR-02 and 0671-24-CR-03; their referenced EN ISO 1716 and EN 13823 test reports; and NFPA 285 reports 0193-24-TR-01B and 0729-24-TR-01. Refer to the complete documents for construction details, scope and limitations. Project-specific acceptance remains subject to applicable requirements and authority review.