Fire Rated Adhesives: Fire Retardant Adhesives and the Key BS & EN Standards

For manufacturers, specifiers and contractors, the starting point should therefore be the required BS or EN test standard and classification, not simply a request for “fireproof glue”.

Quick Answer

When specifying fire rated adhesives, first establish what type of fire performance is required. BS EN 13501-1 covers reaction-to-fire classification of construction products, while BS EN 13501-2 covers fire-resistance classification of building elements. BS EN 18070:2025 is particularly important for wood adhesives because it evaluates adhesive performance at high temperatures in relation to load-bearing timber structures in fire.

For fire-retardant veneering and laminating, Ureka recommends Cascamite Industrial V200, which has a fire-retardant, self-extinguishing formulation and produces a rigid bond line.

For flexible construction bonding and sealing where fire-retardant properties are required, choose Aro-Seal 1107 FR Hybrid Polymer Sealant. It is a one-component, solvent- and water-free elastic adhesive that can accommodate movement within the joint.

For demanding timber bonding where relevant legacy Class 0 evidence is required, Cascaphen Two-Part Structural Wood Glue has Class 0 fire certification listed within its technical documentation.

None of these product claims should automatically be treated as an EN 13501 classification for a finished assembly. The required fire classification must be supported by the appropriate test or assessment evidence.

Key BS and EN Standards

What Are Fire Rated and Fire Retardant Adhesives?

The terms are regularly used interchangeably, but they describe different things.

Fire-Retardant Adhesive

A fire-retardant adhesive is formulated so that the adhesive itself is less likely to contribute significantly to ignition or continued burning.

It may incorporate additives or resin chemistry designed to:

• Reduce flame spread
• Limit continued combustion
• Self-extinguish after the ignition source is removed
• Reduce heat release
• Support the fire performance of the bonded construction

However, describing an adhesive as fire retardant does not automatically mean that it has an A1, A2, B or another Euroclass classification.

Fire-Resistant Adhesive

A fire-resistant adhesive is generally expected to maintain its bond or physical properties better when exposed to elevated temperatures.

This can be particularly important in structural timber, panels, fire doors and other assemblies where premature adhesive failure could result in delamination.

Temperature resistance and fire resistance should not be confused. An adhesive that withstands 100°C, 150°C or another elevated service temperature has not automatically demonstrated performance during a standard building fire test.

Fire-Rated Adhesive

“Fire rated adhesive” is a useful search term, but technically it needs further explanation.

A specification should ideally state something more precise, for example:

“The bonded panel must achieve B-s1,d0 to BS EN 13501-1.”

or:

“The complete doorset must achieve EI30 when tested and classified to the appropriate EN fire-resistance standards.”

That gives the adhesive manufacturer something meaningful to work towards.

Simply asking for a “30-minute fire-rated glue” does not.

The Difference Between Reaction to Fire and Fire Resistance

This is one of the most important distinctions when discussing fire performance.

Reaction to Fire

Reaction to fire measures how a product behaves when it becomes involved in a fire.

It considers characteristics such as:

• Ignitability
• Flame spread
• Heat release
• Smoke production
• Flaming droplets or particles

In Europe and the UK, construction products are commonly classified under BS EN 13501-1.

The principal Euroclasses are:

A1, A2, B, C, D, E and F, with A1 representing the highest level of reaction-to-fire performance.

Additional classifications can include:

• s1, s2 or s3 for smoke production
• d0, d1 or d2 for flaming droplets and particles

For example, a specification such as B-s1,d0 gives substantially more information than simply describing a product as “fire retardant”.

Fire Resistance

Fire resistance is different. It measures how long an element of construction continues performing its required function during a standard fire test.

BS EN 13501-2 uses criteria including:

• R – load-bearing capacity
• E – integrity
• I – insulation

A tested construction might therefore have a classification such as EI30, EI60 or REI60, depending on what the element is required to do.

The number represents a standard-test duration in minutes. It should not be interpreted as a prediction that the element will fail at exactly that time in a real building fire.

An adhesive used within that construction does not normally inherit the complete assembly’s EI or REI classification by itself.

What Standards Apply to Fire Rated Adhesives?

There is no single standard covering every adhesive and every fire application. Several standards may be relevant depending on what is being manufactured.

BS EN 13501-1:2018 – Reaction to Fire

This is one of the most important standards for construction products.

It provides the European classification system for reaction-to-fire performance.

If someone asks whether an adhesive, bonded panel or finished construction is A2, B, C or another Euroclass, BS EN 13501-1 is the classification standard you should expect to see referenced.

Importantly, products are assessed in relation to their end-use application. This is another reason why data obtained from an adhesive in isolation cannot always be transferred automatically to a completely different bonded construction.

BS EN 13823:2020+A1:2022 – Single Burning Item Test

BS EN 13823 is commonly known as the SBI test.

It evaluates building products, excluding floorings, when exposed to thermal attack from a single burning item.

The resulting data can contribute to a classification under BS EN 13501-1.

For an adhesive manufacturer, the important point is that the product may need to be tested as part of its actual bonded build-up rather than simply as a separate film of adhesive.

Substrate, adhesive coverage, facing material, bond thickness and construction can all affect the result.

BS EN ISO 11925-2:2026 – Single-Flame Source Test

BS EN ISO 11925-2 evaluates the ignitability of vertically oriented products when exposed to a small direct flame.

This is another test commonly used as part of the route towards an EN 13501-1 classification.

BS EN ISO 1182:2020 – Non-Combustibility

BS EN ISO 1182 assesses the non-combustibility performance of products or substantial components.

It is particularly relevant to the upper end of the Euroclass system.

An organic adhesive would not normally be described as non-combustible simply because it contains fire-retardant additives. The classification of the finished product needs to be established through appropriate testing.

BS EN ISO 1716:2018 – Heat of Combustion

BS EN ISO 1716 determines the gross heat of combustion of a product.

This establishes how much potential energy the material can contribute to a fire and is used within European reaction-to-fire classification routes.

BS EN 13501-2:2023 – Fire Resistance

Where the question is not “will this material burn?” but instead “how long will this wall, door, floor or other construction continue performing?”, BS EN 13501-2 becomes relevant.

It classifies construction products and building elements using data from fire-resistance and smoke-control testing.

For adhesives, this reinforces a critical principle: the complete assembly generally needs the fire-resistance evidence.

BS EN 1363-1:2020 – General Fire-Resistance Test Requirements

BS EN 1363-1 establishes the general principles and standard fire-exposure conditions used for fire-resistance testing of construction elements.

It deals with factors such as furnace conditions, pressure, temperature, integrity and load-bearing performance.

Specific product test standards then build on these general requirements.

BS EN 1634-1:2014+A1:2018 – Fire Doors

This is particularly relevant to door manufacturers.

BS EN 1634-1 specifies the fire-resistance test method for door and shutter assemblies and openable windows and is used together with EN 1363-1.

If an adhesive is used for:

• Door-core construction
• Edge lipping
• Veneers
• Laminates
• Glazing components
• Cassettes
• Other bonded fire-door components

the important evidence is whether the adhesive and bonding process are permitted within the tested or assessed doorset construction.

A glue does not become an “FD30 adhesive” simply because it has been used in an FD30 door.

For more advice on fire-door bonding applications, speak to Ureka’s technical team.

BS EN 18070:2025 – The Fire Standard Specifically for Wood Adhesives

One of the most important recent developments for timber adhesive manufacturers is BS EN 18070:2025.

Its full title is:

Performance of wood adhesives exposed to high temperatures with regard to behaviour of load-bearing timber structures in fire – Test method, evaluation and classification.

This standard specifically considers adhesive bond performance after exposure to high temperatures.

It applies within a defined scope to adhesives used in load-bearing timber structures and allows relevant adhesive performance to be evaluated in relation to the behaviour of bonded timber structures in fire.

This is significant because it addresses the adhesive bond itself rather than simply the reaction-to-fire classification of a surface.

BS EN 18070 should therefore be on the radar of manufacturers producing:

• Glulam
• Structural laminated timber
• Engineered structural timber
• Other load-bearing bonded timber products

The standard has defined scope limitations, so these should be checked carefully before claiming compliance for any particular adhesive chemistry.

For phenolic and aminoplastic adhesives used in load-bearing timber structures, BS EN 301 is also an important structural adhesive performance standard. It establishes classification and performance requirements but is not itself a standalone reaction-to-fire classification.

What About BS 476 and Class 0?

BS 476 is the traditional British series of fire-test standards.

It remains widely recognised because large numbers of historical products, specifications and test reports use it.

For reaction to fire, two particularly familiar standards were:

• BS 476-6 – fire propagation
• BS 476-7 – surface spread of flame

These formed part of the basis of the historic UK Class 0 classification.

Class 0 was not itself a standalone BS test. It was a national classification derived from defined fire-performance requirements.

This matters for Ureka because the current technical documentation for Cascaphen Two-Part Structural Wood Glue lists Class 0 fire certification.

However, Class 0 should now be treated carefully in specifications.

Is Class 0 Still Current?

UK fire regulations and guidance are moving away from national BS 476 reaction-to-fire classifications towards the European BS EN classification system.

The exact position depends on the jurisdiction, type of construction, project date and applicable transitional arrangements.

Building Regulations and supporting guidance are devolved, so the requirements in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should not automatically be assumed to be identical.

For this reason, always check the jurisdiction, current Building Regulations guidance and project date before relying on historic BS 476 evidence.

Is Class 0 the Same as Euroclass B?

No.

A historic Class 0 result should not automatically be converted into B-s1,d0, B-s3,d2 or another Euroclass.

The test methods and classification systems are different.

A product can only claim an EN 13501-1 classification when it has the appropriate evidence to support that classification.

This is particularly important when reviewing older adhesive, laminate, panel or lining specifications that simply state “Class 0 required”.

The correct question should now be:

What current classification does the project specification require?

D4 Does Not Mean Fire Rated

Another common area of confusion is the use of classifications such as D3 and D4.

BS EN 204 classifies thermoplastic wood adhesives into D1 to D4 durability classes according to their performance under dry and wet conditioning.

It does not specify fire performance.

Similarly, BS EN 12765 classifies thermosetting wood adhesives into C1 to C4 durability classes. These classifications relate to environmental and moisture exposure, not fire.

So:

• D4 does not mean fireproof.
• C4 does not mean fire resistant.
• High-temperature resistance does not automatically mean fire rated.

Each claim relates to a different performance requirement.

Why Adhesive Choice Matters

Fire can expose a bonded construction to rapid temperature increases, thermal expansion, charring, moisture loss and significant differences in movement between substrates.

The adhesive layer can therefore become a critical part of the construction.

Delamination

If an adhesive softens or loses strength too quickly, facings, veneers or structural layers can separate.

This can expose combustible core materials and potentially change the fire behaviour of the complete assembly.

Loss of Structural Bond

In load-bearing timber, adhesive failure can alter the way the member chars and carries load.

That is one reason why BS EN 18070:2025 is particularly important for structural wood adhesive applications.

Increased Flame Spread

The wrong adhesive, or excessive adhesive coverage, may add combustible material to a construction and affect reaction-to-fire performance.

Smoke and Flaming Droplets

A material may resist ignition but still generate significant smoke or flaming particles.

Euroclass classifications therefore consider more than flame spread alone.

Movement Within the Joint

Some fire-related assemblies involve different materials that expand and contract at different rates. A completely rigid adhesive may not always be appropriate where joint movement is expected.

This is where a flexible product such as Aro-Seal 1107 can offer an advantage. It remains elastic after curing and can accommodate joint movement of up to 25%.

Invalidating Existing Test Evidence

Changing adhesive chemistry, coverage, bond-line thickness or substrate can potentially move a product outside its tested or assessed configuration.

A manufacturer should not assume that replacing one adhesive with another stronger or more fire-retardant adhesive automatically preserves the fire performance of the finished product.

Best Adhesive for Fire-Retardant Applications

There is no single adhesive that should be recommended for every fire-related application.

The correct choice depends on the required standard, substrates, joint design and finished construction.

Cascamite Industrial V200 for Fire-Retardant Veneering and Laminating

For veneering and laminating applications where a fire-retardant, self-extinguishing adhesive formulation is required, Ureka recommends Cascamite Industrial V200 Veneering Resin.

Its technical data describes V200 as a fire-retardant veneering resin with self-extinguishing properties and good D3 water resistance.

It is suitable for hot and cold press bonding and creates a rigid bond line.

Cascamite Industrial V200 also offers:

• Fire-retardant, self-extinguishing formulation
• Formaldehyde-free formulation
• Solvent-free formulation
• VOC-free formulation
• No mixing required
• Rapid cure
• Reduced bleed-through
• Hot or cold press processing
• Rigid bond line
• Good D3 water resistance

At 20°C and 55% relative humidity, its technical data gives an open time of approximately seven minutes, recommended coverage of 140–180g/m² and pressing pressure of 2–3kg/cm².

The important distinction is that a self-extinguishing or fire-retardant formulation should not be described as having an EN 13501-1 Euroclass unless a classification report supports that claim.

For current Cascamite Industrial V200 specifications and fire-performance requirements, contact Ureka Global.

Aro-Seal 1107 for Flexible Fire-Retardant Bonding and Sealing

Where the application requires a flexible fire-retardant adhesive rather than a rigid veneering or laminating resin, Ureka recommends Aro-Seal 1107 FR Hybrid Polymer Sealant.

Aro-Seal 1107 is a one-component, solvent- and water-free elastic construction adhesive based on hybrid polymer technology.

It is designed for both bonding and sealing applications and provides excellent fire-retardant properties while remaining flexible after cure.

This makes Aro-Seal 1107 particularly useful where bonded components may experience movement or where the joint needs to perform as both an adhesive bond and a seal.

Key Benefits of Aro-Seal 1107

• Excellent fire-retardant properties
• One-component, ready-to-use formulation
• Solvent-free and water-free
• Acid and isocyanate free
• High bond strength across a wide range of surfaces
• Excellent adhesion to porous surfaces and PVC
• Remains elastic after curing
• Can accommodate joint movement of up to 25%
• Good resistance to UV exposure
• Resistance to many chemicals
• No bubble formation within the cured sealant
• Overpaintable with water-based paints
• Suitable for structural and non-structural bonding applications

Aro-Seal 1107 is suitable for applications in construction, automotive, marine and other manufacturing environments where a tough, flexible adhesive seal is required.

It is also used in composite door manufacturing applications and Ureka’s product documentation states that it meets the requirements of PAS23/24 certification for Secured by Design door systems.

This should not be interpreted as meaning that Aro-Seal 1107 automatically gives a finished construction a particular BS EN 13501 Euroclass, FD30, FD60 or other fire-resistance classification.

Fire and security performance applies to the complete tested or assessed doorset or construction.

For specifications involving fire doors, composite doors, panels or other fire-critical assemblies, contact Ureka Global to discuss the complete construction and required evidence.

Cascaphen Where Legacy Class 0 Evidence Is Relevant

For demanding timber applications, Cascaphen Two-Part Structural Wood Glue has Class 0 fire certification identified within its technical documentation.

Cascaphen is also designed for demanding structural and exterior timber applications, including difficult timbers and environments involving extreme weathering and continuous water immersion.

This makes Cascaphen relevant where an existing design, historical specification or appropriate project evidence specifically references that performance.

For a new specification requiring a Euroclass, however, do not simply translate the Class 0 claim into an EN 13501 class.

The project must use the appropriate current classification evidence.

How to Choose the Right Adhesive

Start With the Required Standard

Do not start by asking:

“What is your most fire-resistant glue?”

Start by identifying:

“What standard and classification does the finished product need to achieve?”

That might be:

• BS EN 13501-1 for reaction to fire
• BS EN 13501-2 for fire resistance
• BS EN 1634-1 for a fire doorset
• BS EN 18070 for applicable adhesive performance in a load-bearing timber fire application

Identify Whether the Adhesive or Assembly Is Being Assessed

If you are making a fire door, panel, partition or laminated construction, it is often the complete assembly that matters.

When a door or other construction is submitted for a fire test, the complete bonded structure is normally tested rather than every adhesive component being given the same fire rating independently.

Check Whether the Joint Needs to Be Rigid or Flexible

This is an important adhesive-selection question.

For veneers and laminates that need a hard, rigid glue line, Cascamite Industrial V200 is the more appropriate fire-retardant option.

Where the joint needs to accommodate movement, vibration or differences in thermal expansion between substrates, Aro-Seal 1107 may be more suitable because it remains elastic after curing.

Check the Substrates

Fire performance can change with:

• Timber species
• Board type
• Laminate
• Veneer
• Metal facing
• PVC
• Composite materials
• Foam core
• Insulation
• Coating
• Adhesive coverage

Testing one adhesive on one substrate does not establish universal fire performance.

Check Bond-Line Thickness and Coverage

More adhesive is not necessarily better.

A thick glue line may behave differently in fire from the bond line used during the original test.

Production controls should therefore cover spread rate, bead dimensions and bond-line thickness.

Check On-Site Versus Factory Application

Factory bonding normally provides greater control over:

• Coverage
• Pressure
• Substrate moisture
• Temperature
• Cure time

On-site bonding introduces more variables.

Products such as Aro-Seal 1107 provide convenient cartridge application for bonding and sealing, while Cascamite Industrial V200 is designed primarily around controlled factory hot or cold press production.

If the adhesive forms part of a fire-critical construction, the permitted application process should always be checked against the supporting evidence.

Check Other Performance Requirements

An adhesive still has to work as an adhesive.

Fire performance cannot compensate for:

• Weak bond strength
• Inadequate water resistance
• Excessive creep
• Poor curing
• Substrate incompatibility
• Insufficient flexibility
• Unsuitable production speed

The final specification may therefore need to satisfy several performance requirements rather than just one fire standard.

Which Ureka Adhesive Should You Choose?

Choose Cascamite Industrial V200 if…

Choose Cascamite Industrial V200 if you are veneering or laminating timber-based products and require a fire-retardant, self-extinguishing adhesive formulation with a rigid bond line.

It is particularly suited to:

• Veneering
• Laminating
• Hot pressing
• Cold pressing
• Factory-controlled production
• Applications where reduced bleed-through is important
• Applications requiring a rigid glue line

Contact the Ureka technical team if a specific reaction-to-fire classification is required so that the complete construction and test route can be reviewed.

Choose Aro-Seal 1107 if…

Choose Aro-Seal 1107 FR Hybrid Polymer Sealant if you need a flexible fire-retardant adhesive and sealant rather than a rigid wood-bonding resin.

It is particularly suited to applications where:

• Movement needs to be accommodated within the joint
• Bonding and sealing are required in one operation
• Different construction materials are being bonded
• A cartridge-applied adhesive is preferable
• Fire-retardant properties are required
• Composite or specialist door components are being bonded
• Porous materials or PVC are involved
• UV and weather resistance are important
• On-site or off-site construction bonding is required

Aro-Seal 1107 can accommodate movement of up to 25%, making it fundamentally different from rigid resin products such as Cascamite Industrial V200.

As with any fire-critical application, confirm that Aro-Seal 1107 is covered by the evidence supporting the finished construction before specifying it.

Choose Cascaphen if…

Choose Cascaphen Two-Part Structural Wood Glue where you need a very strong two-part timber adhesive and existing Class 0 evidence is relevant to the specific specification.

It is particularly suited to demanding timber applications involving:

• Structural timber
• Extreme weathering
• Marine construction
• Continuous water exposure
• Difficult timber such as teak and Iroko
• Preservative-treated timber

Do not automatically use its Class 0 documentation as evidence of an EN 13501 Euroclass.

Choose a Customised Adhesive System if…

Choose a customised adhesive specification if you manufacture:

• Fire doors
• Composite panels
• Specialist laminates
• Structural timber components
• Certified fire-resistant assemblies
• Products undergoing a new fire-testing programme

The best adhesive may depend on the exact test configuration.

Ureka can work with manufacturers to select an adhesive that suits both production requirements and the fire-testing programme. Speak to an adhesive expert.

Common Problems and Best Fixes

The Specification Just Says “Fireproof Glue”

This does not provide enough information to select an adhesive.

Best fix: establish whether the requirement is reaction to fire, fire resistance, elevated-temperature bond performance or a specific assembly test.

A Supplier Says the Adhesive Is Class 0

Class 0 is a legacy national reaction-to-fire classification and cannot automatically be converted into a Euroclass.

Best fix: request the actual test or classification documentation and check it against the current project specification.

A D4 Adhesive Is Being Treated as Fire Rated

D4 relates to water-resistance durability under BS EN 204, not fire.

Best fix: specify fire performance and moisture performance separately.

The Adhesive Passed a Fire Test in Another Product

A successful result in one assembly does not automatically cover another substrate, spread rate, bead size or construction.

Best fix: check the direct or extended field of application and obtain technical assessment where required.

A Manufacturer Has Changed Adhesive Supplier

Even if the replacement appears chemically similar, the change may affect the evidence supporting the finished product.

Best fix: review the certification, assessment or test evidence before implementing the change.

Veneer or Laminate Delaminates During Heat Exposure

The adhesive may soften or lose cohesive strength too quickly.

Best fix: evaluate a rigid fire-retardant system such as Cascamite Industrial V200, then validate the complete bonded construction.

A Rigid Adhesive Is Cracking in a Moving Joint

A rigid adhesive may be unsuitable where different materials expand, contract or move independently.

Best fix: consider a flexible fire-retardant adhesive such as Aro-Seal 1107 where the construction and supporting evidence allow it.

A Fire Door Manufacturer Wants to Change Adhesive

Changing adhesive in a fire door can potentially affect the test or assessment evidence for the complete doorset.

Best fix: check the Field of Application, certification or technical assessment before changing adhesive. Do not assume that a fire-retardant adhesive can automatically replace the adhesive used in the tested door.

An Old Specification Requires BS 476

Legacy evidence may still be relevant depending on the jurisdiction, project date and application.

Best fix: check whether the project accepts the historic classification or now requires the applicable BS EN route.

Best Practice

Start with the finished-product fire requirement and obtain the actual test standard and classification from the customer or specifier.

Prepare substrates consistently and record adhesive coverage, bond-line thickness, bead dimensions, pressing pressure, cure temperature and cure time where relevant.

Do not alter timber species, facing materials, core materials, adhesive chemistry or application rate without considering whether the existing fire evidence remains applicable.

For production applications, complete bond-strength and ageing testing as well as the required fire evaluation. Fire performance is only one part of a commercially reliable bonded product.

Keep copies of:

• Classification reports
• Fire test reports
• Field of Application documents
• Technical assessments
• Relevant product technical data sheets
• Production application records

When making marketing claims, use the exact terminology supported by the evidence.

Avoid substituting phrases such as fireproof, fire rated, fire retardant, Class 0, Euroclass B or 30-minute fire resistant for one another.

For Aro-Seal 1107, control the bead dimensions and ensure the substrates are suitable and correctly prepared. The product is intended to remain elastic after cure, so it should be specified where this flexibility is appropriate to the joint design.

For Cascamite Industrial V200, control spread rate, pressing pressure, assembly time and cure conditions to maintain consistent production.

Standards also change. Always check the current edition before adding a standards claim to a technical data sheet, label, specification or product page.

Final Recommendation

When selecting fire rated adhesives, do not choose the product from the phrase “fire rated” alone. First establish whether the requirement concerns reaction to fire, fire resistance, structural adhesive performance at high temperature or inclusion within a tested fire-resistant assembly.

For fire-retardant veneering and laminating, choose Cascamite Industrial V200 where its self-extinguishing formulation and rigid bond line suit the production requirement.

For flexible construction bonding and sealing where fire-retardant properties are required, choose Aro-Seal 1107 FR Hybrid Polymer Sealant. Its elastic hybrid polymer formulation makes it particularly useful where joint movement, multi-material bonding or combined bonding and sealing are required.

For demanding timber bonding where relevant legacy Class 0 evidence is required, consider Cascaphen Two-Part Structural Wood Glue.

For fire doors, structural panels and other certified constructions, select the adhesive against the complete test evidence and applicable BS or EN standard. Do not assume that a fire-retardant property, Class 0 result or use within a previously tested construction gives an adhesive a universal fire rating.

For help reviewing a fire-related adhesive specification, contact Ureka Global.

Frequently Asked Questions