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- Point in Time (01/07/2013)
- Original (As adopted by EU)
Directive 95/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 relating to the burning behaviour of materials used in the interior construction of certain categories of motor vehicle (repealed)
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Version Superseded: 01/11/2014
EU Directives are published on this site to aid cross referencing from UK legislation. Since IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.) no amendments have been applied to this version.
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 100a thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee(2),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189b of the Treaty(3),
Whereas the internal market comprises an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured; whereas it is important to adopt measures to that end;
Whereas the technical requirements which certain vehicle categories must satisfy pursuant to national law relate, inter alia, to the burning behaviour of materials used in the interior construction of certain categories of motor vehicle;
Whereas these requirements differ from one Member State to another;
Whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the same requirements either in addition to or in place of their existing rules in order, in particular, to allow the EEC type-approval procedure which was the subject of Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers(4), to be further implemented;
Whereas this Directive will be one of the separate Directives of the EEC type-approval procedure which has been established by Directive 70/156/EEC; whereas, consequently, the provisions laid down in Directive 70/156/EEC relating to vehicle systems, components and separate technical units shall apply for the purposes of this Directive;
Whereas it is appropriate to refer to Council Directive 77/649/EEC(5), which contains the procedure for determining the position of the seating reference point (the ‘R-point’);
Whereas, with a view to ensuring occupant and road safety, it is important that the materials used in the construction of the inside of bus and coach bodywork satisfy minimum requirements in order to avoid or at least retard development of flames such that it allows occupants to evacuate the vehicle in the event of fire;
Whereas it is desirable to introduce alternative routes for the type-approval of vehicles as systems pursuant to this Directive, i. e. either on the basis of tests of the burning behaviour of the interior materials used in motor vehicles or on the basis of an EEC component type-approval for each material and/or equipment such as seats, curtains, etc. to be fitted in the interior construction of these vehicles whereby the correct installation of such approved materials and/or equipment has to be checked,
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
For the purposes of this Directive:
‘vehicle’: means any vehicle as defined in Article 2 of Directive 70/156/EEC,
‘component’: means a device as defined in Article 2 of Directive 70/156/EEC.
Member States may not refuse:
EEC type-approval or national type-approval for a vehicle or refuse or prohibit the sale, registration, entry into service or use of a vehicle on grounds relating to the burning behaviour of materials used in the interior construction of its bodywork,
EEC type-approval or national type-approval for a component used in the interior construction of the vehicle bodywork or prohibit its sale or use on grounds relating to the burning behaviour of the materials used in its construction,
if the relevant requirements set out in Annexes I, IV, V and VI to this Directive are satisfied.
1.Member States shall adopt and publish the laws, regulations are administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive within 18 months of the date of its adoption. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
From the abovementioned date, Member States may no longer prohibit the initial entry into service of vehicles or the sale or use of components complying with this Directive.
They shall apply these provisions 48 months following the date of adoption of this Directive.
2.When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The method of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
This Directive applies to the burning behaviour (ignitability, burning rate and melting behaviour) of interior materials used in vehicles of category M3 carrying more than 22 passengers, not being designed for standing passengers and urban use (city buses).
Member States which, prior to the date mentioned in Article 3 (1), third subparagraph of the Directive, had legislation applying to vehicle categories other than that mentioned above may continue to apply that legislation provided that they accept type-approval for other vehicle categories which comply with the provisions of this Directive.
For the purpose of this Directive:
the roof,
the floor,
the side walls,
the doors,
the outside glazing,
the rear compartment bulkhead, or the plane of the rear seat back support,
at the driver's side of the longitudinal vertical median plane of the vehicle, the vertical transversal plane through the driver's R-point as defined in Annex III to Directive 77/649/EEC,
at the opposite side of the longitudinal vertical median plane of the vehicle, the front bulkhead.
When different materials are connected together intermittently (for example, by sewing, high-frequency welting, riveting), such materials shall not be considered as composite materials.
1 | for Germany |
2 | for France |
3 | for Italy |
4 | for Netherlands |
5 | for Sweden |
6 | for Belgium |
[F17 | for Hungary |
8 | for the Czech Republic] |
9 | for Spain |
11 | for the United Kingdom |
12 | for Austria |
13 | for Luxembourg |
17 | for Finland |
18 | for Denmark |
[F219 | for Romania] |
[F120 | for Poland] |
21 | for Portugal |
23 | for Greece |
[F325 | for Croatia] |
[F126 | for Slovenia |
27 | for Slovakia |
29 | for Estonia |
32 | for Latvia |
[F234 | for Bulgaria] |
36 | for Lithuania |
CY | for Cyprus] |
IRL | for Ireland[F4;] |
[F1MT | for Malta;] |
Textual Amendments
F1 Inserted by Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the European Union is founded.
F2 Inserted by Council Directive 2006/96/EC of 20 November 2006 adapting certain Directives in the field of free movement of goods, by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania.
F3 Inserted by Council Directive 2013/15/EU of 13 May 2013 adapting certain directives in the field of free movement of goods, by reason of the accession of the Republic of Croatia.
F4 Deleted by Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the European Union is founded.
material(s) used for the upholstery of any seat and its accessories (including the driver's seat),
material(s) used for the interior lining of the roof,
material(s) used for the interior lining of the side and rear walls, including separation walls,
material(s) with thermal and/or acoustic function,
material(s) used for the interior lining of the floor,
material(s) used for the interior lining of luggage-racks, heating and ventilation pipes,
material(s) used for the light fittings.
Furthermore, one sample shall be submitted to the technical service for future reference purposes.
material(s) used for the interior lining of the roof,
material(s) used for the interior lining of the luggage-racks, heating and ventilation pipes situated in the roof,
material(s) used for the lights situated in the luggage-racks and/or roof.
Furthermore, one sample shall be submitted to the technical services for future reference purposes.
Furthermore, one sample shall be submitted to the technical service for future reference purposes.
The above component type-approval mark shows that the interior material in question has been approved in Germany (e1) pursuant to this Directive (00) under the approval number 2439. The first two digits indicate that this component was approved according to the original form of this Directive. The additional symbol indicates that this type of material has been approved according to its horizontal and vertical burning rate.
The symbols and/or indicate an approval according to Annex V and/or an approval as a complete device such as seats, separation walls, etc. The additional symbols are only used if applicable.
A sample is held horizontally in a U-shaped holder and is exposed to the action of a defined low-energy flame for 15 seconds in a combustion chamber, the flame acting on the free end of the sample. The test determines if and when the flame extinguishes or the time in which the flame passes a measured distance.
The bottom of the chamber has vent holes, and the top has a vent slot all around. The combustion chamber is placed on four feet, 10 mm high.
The chamber may have a hole at one end for the introduction of the sample holder containing the sample; in the opposite end, a hole is provided for the gas line. Melted material is caught in a pan (see figure 3) which is placed on the bottom of the chamber between vent holes without covering any vent hole area.
The lower plate is equipped with pins, the upper one with corresponding holes in order to ensure a consistent holding of the sample. The pins also serve as the measuring points at the beginning and end of the burning distance.
A support shall be provided in the form of 0,25 mm diameter heat resistant wires spanning the frame at 25 mm intervals over the bottom U-shaped frame (see figure 5).
The plane of the lower side of samples shall be 178 mm above the floor plate. The distance of the front edge of the sample holder from the end of the chamber shall be 22 mm; the distance of the longitudinal sides of the sample holder from the sides of the chamber shall be 50 mm (all inside dimensions). (See figures 1 and 2).
Before the test, the vertical velocity of the air through the fume cupboard shall be measured 100 mm in front of and behind the final position where the combustion chamber will be located. It shall be between 0,10 and 0,30 m/s in order to avoid possible discomfort, by combustion products, to the operator. It is possible to use a fume cupboard with a natural ventilation and an appropriate air velocity.
for samples having a width of 3 to 60 mm, the length shall be 356 mm. In this case the material is tested in the product's width;
for samples having a width of 60 to 100 mm, the length shall be at least 138 mm. In this case the potential burning distance corresponds to the length of the sample, the measurement starting at the first measuring point.
The samples shall be taken from the material under test. In materials having different burning rates in different material directions, each direction has to be tested. The samples are to be taken and placed in the test apparatus so that the highest burning rate will be measured.
When the material is supplied in widths, a length of at least 500 mm shall be cut covering the entire width. From this the samples shall be taken so as to be at least 100 mm from the material edge and equidistant from each other.
Samples shall be taken in the same way from finished products, when the shape of the product permits. When the thickness of the product is more than 13 mm, it shall be reduced to 13 mm by a mechanical process applied to the side which does not face the occupant compartment. If it is impossible, the test shall be carried out, in accordance with the Technical Service, on the initial width of the material which shall be mentioned in the test report.
Composite materials (see point 2.10 of Annex I) shall be tested as if they were of uniform construction.
In the case of materials made of superimposed layers of different composition which are not composite materials, all the layers of material included within a depth of 13 mm from the surface facing towards the passenger compartment shall be tested individually.
The samples shall be conditioned for at least 24 hours but not more than 7 days at a temperature of 23 ± 2 °C and a relative humidity of 50 ± 5 % and shall be maintained under these conditions until immediately prior to testing.
The burning rate, B(6), in millimetres per minute, is given by the formula
where:
s is the burnt distance, in millimetres;
t is the time, in seconds, to burn distance s.
A sample is placed in a horizontal position and is exposed to an electric radiator. A receptacle is positioned under the specimen to collect the resultant drops.
Some cotton wool is put in this receptacle in order to verify if any drop is flaming.
The apparatus shall consist of (figure 1):
an electric radiator;
a support for the sample with grill;
a receptacle (for resultant drops);
a support (for the apparatus).
The radiated heat from the apparatus, measured on a surface which is situated parallel to the surface of the radiator at a distance of 30 mm, shall be 3 W/cm2.
For calibration of the radiator, a heat flux meter (radiometer) of the Gardon (foil) type with a design range not exceeding 10 W/cm2 shall be used.
The target receiving radiation, and possibly to a small extent convection, shall be flat, circular, not more than 10 mm in diameter and coated with a durable matt black finish. The target shall be contained within a watercooled body the front face of which shall be of highly polished metal, flat, coinciding with the plane of the target and circular, with a diameter of about 25 mm.
Radiation shall not pass through any window before reaching the target. The instrument shall be robust, simple to set up and use, insensitive to draughts, and stable in calibration. The instrument shall have an accuracy of within ± 3 % and a repeatability within 0,5 %.
The calibration of the heat flux meter shall be checked whenever a recalibration of the radiator is carried out, by comparison with an instrument held as a reference standard and not used for any other purpose. The reference standard instrument shall be fully calibrated at yearly intervals in accordance with a national standard.
The irradiance produced by the power input which the initial calibration has shown to correspond to an irradiance of 3 W/cm2 shall be frequently checked (at least once every 50 operating hours) and the apparatus shall be recalibrated if such a check reveals a deviation greater than 0,06 W/cm2.
The apparatus shall be placed in an environment essentially free of air currents (not more than 0,2 m/s).
Place the heat flux meter in the apparatus in the specimen position so that the target of the heat flux meter is located centrally within the radiator surface.
Switch on the electricity supply and establish the power input of the controller required to produce irradiance at the centre of the radiator surface of 3 W/cm2. Adjustment to the power unit to record 3 W/cm2 should be followed by a five minute-period without further adjustment to ensure equilibrium.
interior diameter: 118 mm,
dimension of the holes: 2,10 mm square,
diameter of the steel-wire: 0,70 mm.
The receptacle shall be filled with cotton wool.
The radiator is placed on top of the support in a manner such that the radiating surface is horizontal and the radiation is downwards.
A lever/pedal shall be provided in the column to lift the support of the radiator slowly. It shall also be provided with a catch in order to ensure that the radiator can be brought back in its normal position.
In their normal position, the axes of the radiator, the support for the sample and the receptacle must coincide.
The test samples shall measure: 70 mm x 70 mm.
Samples shall be taken in the same way from finished products, when the shape of the product permits. When the thickness of the product is more than 13 mm, it shall be reduced to 13 mm by a mechanical process applied to the side which does not face the occupant compartment. If it is impossible, the test shall be carried out, in accordance with the Technical Service, on the initial width of the material which shall be mentioned in the test report.
Composite materials (see 2.8 of Annex I) shall be tested as if they were of uniform construction.
In the case of materials made of superimposed layers of different composition which are not composite materials, all the layers of material included within a depth of 13 mm from the surface facing towards the passenger compartment shall be tested individually.
The total mass of the sample to be tested shall be at least 2 g. If the mass of one sample is less, a sufficient number of samples shall be added.
If the two faces of the material differ, both faces must be tested, which means that eight samples are to be tested.
The samples and the cotton wool shall be conditioned for at least 24 hours at a temperature 23 ± 2 ° C and a relative humidity of 50 ± 5 % and shall be maintained under these conditions until immediately prior to testing.
The sample is placed on the support and the latter is so positioned that the distance between the surface of the radiator and the upperside of the sample is 30 mm.
The receptacle, including the cotton wool, is placed beneath the grill of the support at a distance of 300 mm.
The radiator is put aside, so that it cannot radiate on the sample, and switched on. When it is on full capacity it is positioned above the sample and timing is started.
If the material melts or deforms, the height of the radiator is modified to maintain the distance of 30 mm.
If the material ignites, the radiator is put aside three seconds afterwards. It is brought back in position when the flame has extinguished and the same procedure is repeated as frequently as necessary during the first five minutes of the test.
After the fifth minute of the test:
If the sample has extinguished (whether or not it has ignited during the first five minutes of the test) leave the radiator in position even if the sample reignites.
If the material is flaming, await extinction before bringing the radiator into position again.
In either case, the test must be continued for an additional five minutes.
Observed phenomena shall be noted in the test-report, such as:
the fall of drops, if any, whether flaming or not,
if ignition of the cotton wool has taken place
This test consists of exposing samples, held in a vertical position, to a flame and determining the speed of propagation of the flame over the material to be tested.
The apparatus shall consist of:
a specimen holder;
a burner;
a ventilation system to extract gas and combustion products;
a template;
marker threads of white mercerized cotton threads having a maximum linear density of 50 tex.
The gas supplied to the burner can be either commercial propane gas or commercial butane gas.
The burner shall be positioned in front of, but below, the specimen such that it lies in a plane passing through the vertical centreline of the specimen and perpendicular to its face (see figure 2), such that the longitudinal axis is inclined upwards at 30 ° to the vertical towards the lower edge of the specimen. The distance between the tip of the burner and the lower edge of the specimen shall be 20 mm.
Each loop shall be attached to a suitable timing device. Sufficient tension shall be imposed to the thread to maintain its position relative to the specimen.
from the start of the application of the igniting flame to the severance of the first marker thread (t1);
from the start of the application of the igniting flame to the severance of the second marker thread (ts);
from the start of the application of the igniting flame to the severance of the third marker thread (t3).
The observed phenomena shall be written down in the test-report, to include:
the durations of combustion: 1, t2 and t3 in seconds,
the corresponding burnt distances: d1, d2 and d3 in mm.
The burning rate V1 and the rates V2 and V3, if applicable, shall be calculated (for each sample if the flame reaches at least the first marker thread) as follows:
The highest burning rate of V1, V2 and V3 shall be taken into account.
Opinion of the European Parliament of 29 October 1992 (OJ No C 305, 23.11.1992, p. 109), Council common position of 8 December 1994 (OJ No C 384, 31.12.1994, p. 1) and Decision of the European Parliament of 15 June 1995 (OJ No C 166, 3.7.1995).
OJ No L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 93/81/EEC (OJ No L 264, 23.10.1993, p. 49).
OJ No L 267, 19.10.1977, p. 1. Directive last amended by Commission Directive 90/630/EEC (OJ No L 341, 6.12.1990, p. 20).
The burning rate (B) for each sample is only calculated in the case where the flame reaches the last measuring point or the end of the sample.
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