Class '0' vs Euro Class B

[Jim Karna]

Hi,

this may be moot in a few weeks but I'm having a real problem with Class '0' and Euro Class 'B' timber.

I'm building at Waterloo Station and their manual insists upon Class '0' timber materials, this seems fair enough but my construction manager tells me that Class '0' is now superseded by Euro Class B. Apparently the Fire officer at Network Rail says that they want Class '0' but none of the timber suppliers that I can find can supply Class 0 because it's been replaced by Euro Class B. My timber supplier has certification to say that he can build with his wood in Underground Stations and has a cert from The Mayor's Office to say so.

 

Obviously the worst thing to tell a H&S official is that they are wrong but I'm a bit stuck on how to proceed. The gig goes live June 25th and I need to start building early next week.

I should say that the chap I'm speaking to is the person who manages the pitch and not the actual fire officer but I'm being told that if I go to the Network Rail fire guy he will say no to non-'0' rated timber.

 

Has anyone had any similar experiences or any insights on how to proceed?

[kerry davies]

As usual if they have the power then there is little you can do with an idiot. Try printing out this guidance and seeing if he will accept this bit;

In England and Wales, the fire requirements for buildings are dealt with by Approved Document Part B to the Building Regulations - Class 0 and Class 1. Euroclass B transposes to Class 0 and Euroclass C transposes to Class 1.

 

Personally I can't see why you need any "class" timber for temporary structures that are presumably not an integral part of public escape routes.

[ImagineerTom]

The rules and regs governing construction on or adjacent to railway properties are draconian and enforced by incredibly unflexible people (I was once told I had to move a whole tent because one of the stakes was a couple of inches in to the 4m "empty space" exclusion zone next to a railway property - obviously we just moved the stake) so I don't envy your task. It doesn't matter what the EU rules or standard industry practices are; if the railway bylaw states it that's all that matters; you might find it easier to ask your timber supplier to reclassify / relabel the timber?

[Jivemaster]

The railway had a 12 month closure for the bridge north of Farringdon station (w Clerkenwell Road) for works. They used the entire 12 months arguing over about an inch! Considering that the tube network was designed and dug in inches and is now measured in metres and mm and the reference datums will have changed over ears an inch will be pretty close, but it was too much for them.

[peza2010]

You will have a big headache convincing them that its okay.

 

I did a show in the disused aldwich? Tube station last year and there was no budging from their point of view - and I guess I can see there point.

 

Airflow within the tube system *could* change a small fire into a huge fireball popping up in tube stations all over london.

[Jivemaster]

Has anyone had any similar experiences or any insights on how to proceed?

 

Does the person offer any source for timber that meets his requirements?

[Junior8]

I should say that the chap I'm speaking to is the person who manages the pitch and not the actual fire officer but I'm being told that if I go to the Network Rail fire guy he will say no to non-'0' rated timber.[/font][/size]

 

I'd be inclined to ignore this opinion and ask to see the actual officer concerned.

[peza2010]

Has anyone had any similar experiences or any insights on how to proceed?

 

Does the person offer any source for timber that meets his requirements?

 

I *think* (any many a job since has passed so my memory might be hazy) we ended up just painting it with flambar/flame retardant paint and showed him the cert.

 

Silly I know, but he holds the hoop, you need to jump.