VII. Building Related Question
2.Fireproofing Materials


Q7-2

What building materials require certification to be fireproof? Please tell me about the procedure for certification.
Even if building materials pass the standards of foreign countries such as the US or Europe, is it necessary to apply for certification again?

Answer
 Standards for the flame retardancy regarding roofs, walls and ceiling materials are established according to scale, application and location of building.

If building materials have received a technical evaluation by a foreign evaluating organization approved by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, it is not necessary to again apply for performance evaluation. The Fire Service Law in addition provides minimal standards of the flame retardancy for the flame retardant items, including curtains and carpets used in high-rise buildings.

The flame retardancy regarding curtains and other products represents combustibility low enough so that the product itself will not contribute to spread of fire.

(Building Standards Law, Fire Service Law)

1. The Building Standards Law prescribes various requirements regarding fireproof standards according to the scale, application and district of buildings. For example, roofs of buildings in fire-prevention regions or quasi-fire prevention regions should be made or covered with non-combustible materials (Article 63, etc.). Furthermore, finishing materials for walls and ceilings of rooms of a certain size and application and corridors, stairways and other escape routes should be made of fire-proof materials with certain specified performances (non-combustible materials, quasi-non-combustible materials and fire retardant materials) (Article 129 of the Enforcement Order).

2. Testing, evaluation methods and designated evaluation bodies are established in order to confirm whether fireproofing materials meet legal performance. The Minister of Construction certifies them based on the results of such tests and evaluation.

3. Even if building materials pass foreign specifications, those materials should be reevaluated to conform to performance standards prescribed by laws and orders. However, with respect to the performance prescribed by the Building Standards Law and ordinances, a technical evaluation may be made on building materials conforming to certain standards at foreign evaluating organizations approved by the Minister of Construction due to the amendment of the Building Standards Law in 1998.
For approval application from foreign testing agencies, some of the documents are written in and allowed to be submitted in English; additional information is on the website.
reference: http://www.mlit.go.jp/english/housing_bureau/recognition/index.html

4. The flame retardant items used in high-rise buildings and other constructions are subject to tests for confirmation of fire prevention property conducted by registered confirmation agencies. Those wishing to ask for tests are to submit the flame retardant items test request along with testing materials to registered confirmation agencies. For these tests too, "Elements for Acceptance of Test Data by Foreign Testing Agencies on Tests for the flame retardant items " are provided to be the basis for acceptance of test data of the foreign testing agencies.