What is the difference between a classification report and a test report? Firestopping FAQs

Test reports for fire-resistant products are fairly specialised and elaborate and provide a snapshot in time of what was achieved in an individual test.

For those unfamiliar with reading such reports there can be too much information, making it difficult to read or interpret competently.

Test reports may also contain information about research and development testing which the sponsor may wish to remain confidential for their own particular reasons.

A classification report is a more useful report as it combines data from multiple successful test reports in a conclusive way and provides a scope of application.

Classification reports are carried out by an additional third party, a UKAS accredited organisation, in accordance with standards agreed across multiple laboratories so the data has effectively been subject to more scrutiny than an individual test report.

In short, a classification report is a much more useful document and importantly a more legible document.

Furthermore, the data may then be incorporated into a European technical assessment, known as an ETA, for the purposes of CE marking, etc.

At Quelfire, we aim to have all our test evidence classified in accordance with BS EN standards before issuing standard details and going on to ETA’s and CE marking.  As such, our primary method of providing supporting documentation is the issue of classification reports or ETA’s and only when these are not available for whatever reason would we supply a test report.  Each of our standard installation details reference the supporting documentation that we are happy to provide.

If you have any further questions about this or any other matter please do not hesitate to contact us.