Knowledge Base

Please note: Under EN 622-5, ‘General Purpose’ refers to products suitable for ‘use in non load-bearing applications’.

Please note: Under EN 622-2, ‘General Purpose’ refers to products suitable for ‘use in non load-bearing applications’.

Hanson Plywood’s stocks of Hardboard are suitable for HB – General purpose boards for use in dry conditions.

The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) came into force on 1^st July 2013 and since this date, all wood-based products intended for permanent use in regulated construction work are to be covered by a Harmonised European Standard. They are also required to declare their performance characteristics via CE Marking in order to be placed on the UK and EU construction products markets.

In the case of wood-based panel products, ‘BS EN 13986: 2004 Wood-Based Panels for use in Construction’ refers. Among other things, this standard sets in place a system of conformity for manufacturing processes to meet set requirements and be periodically tested in order to consistently produce wood based panel products that are fit for their intended purpose in construction applications.

To reflect the CPR, section 7 of UK Building Regulations has also been amended to adopt CE Marking as the primary route to show fitness for purpose in the UK.

Products within the scope of the CPR can be identified via CE Marks on the products and/or the delivery notes and full CE marking information along with Declarations of Performance are available on request from our Sales team. Alternatively, please complete an enquiry form with a request for further information and clarification.

Example CE Marking

EN 13986 is the harmonised European standard for ‘wood-based panels for use in construction’. The standard works to define relevant characteristics and the appropriate test methods to determine these characteristics, for application in the following conditions:

• internal use as structural components in dry conditions
• internal (or protected external) use as structural components in humid conditions
• external use as structural components
• internal use as non-structural components in humid conditions in dry conditions
• internal (or protected external) uses as non-structural components in humid conditions
• external use as non-structural components
• use as structural floor decking on joists in dry, humid or external conditions
• use as structural roof decking on joists in dry, humid or external conditions
• use as structural wall sheathing on joists in dry, humid or external conditions

By meeting EN 13986 and having a factory production certificate from a notified body, a manufacturer can demonstrate that they have sufficiently monitored processes that are regularly tested (the level of testing is determined by the production’s AVCP level) and can therefore CE Mark their product, meeting the Construction Products Regulation in the process.

EN 13986 refers to a series of EN product standards for specifications and requirements for most panels. These standards then proceed to set the minimum requirements and controls to determine the suitable intended purpose of the panel and the intended application conditions. Through this intricate collection of product-related standards, EN 13986 allows wood based panel products to be easily specified in timber structures or construction components.

The table below demonstrates the minimum technical classes for each panel type depending on the intended use and condition. It is worth bearing in mind that with plywood, it is important to check whether a product has been tested for use as structural components or non-structural applications.

A request we commonly receive is that for a panel with a 1 hour or ½ hr fire rating.

30 or 60mins relates to the concept of Fire Resistance and typically relates to the ability of an elevation or door to withstand the passage of a fully developed fire for said amount of time.

Euroclass relates to the concept of Reaction to Fire and focuses on initial fire growth phase. A Euroclass rated panel may form part of a fire barrier system requiring 30 or 60 mins Fire Resistance overall. We recommend that suitability of a Euroclass rated panel within the design is based upon 3rd party assessment or independent testing specific to the project in question.

There are 7 Euroclass classifications ranging from A1 to F. In line with the Construction Products Regulation (2013) each Euroclass rating requires testing against the relevant European fire test methods – see table below.

Hanson Plywood offer a range of panels manufactured with an A1 rating (see below). Untreated wood-based panels such as plywood, OSB, MDF & Chipboard typically achieve a Euroclass D or E rating. Fire rated panels can be supplied to a Euroclass B or Euroclass C fire performance as required depending upon regulatory requirements.