PVC Wall Panel Fire Ratings: ASTM E84 Class A vs GB 8624 B1 vs EN 13501-1 B-s1,d0

They are not. ASTM E84 Class A, GB 8624 B1, and EN 13501-1 B-s1,d0 are three independent classification systems developed by three different standards bodies, based on different test methods, measuring different parameters, and enforced by different building codes. Choosing the wrong one for your project — or accepting the wrong report from a supplier — can mean failed inspections, rejected fire safety submissions, and in the worst case, a legally non-compliant building.

This guide compares the three standards side by side: what each one actually measures, where each applies, why they cannot be directly converted into one another, and a practical decision framework for selecting the right fire rating for your project.

1. Why Three Different Fire Ratings Exist

Fire classification standards were not designed as one global system. Each was developed by its own national or regional standards body to serve the building codes of its market:

• ASTM E84 is published by ASTM International and is the most widely referenced surface flammability standard in the United States and Canada. It is embedded in the International Building Code (IBC), NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), and UL 723.
• GB 8624 is the Chinese national standard for the classification of building materials and products by combustion performance. It is referenced by China’s building fire protection codes, including GB 50016 and GB 50222.
• EN 13501-1 is the European harmonized standard for reaction-to-fire classification, used across the EU and other countries adopting European standards. It works together with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and the CE marking system.

Because the three systems serve different building codes, each defines its own “passing” level for interior wall finishes. The result is that a product can legitimately be rated Class A in the US, B1 in China, and B-s1,d0 in Europe — or it may pass in one market and fail in another. The rating always means “this product meets the requirement of this standard,” never “this product is safe in every market.”

2. The Three Standards at a Glance

The table shows a critical point: each standard is tied to its market’s building code. The fire rating that matters is the one recognized by the authority having jurisdiction over your project — not the one that sounds most impressive.

3. ASTM E84 Class A: The North American Surface-Burning Classification

How the Test Works

ASTM E84, also known as the Steiner Tunnel test, measures the surface burning characteristics of building materials. A specimen is mounted in a sealed tunnel and exposed to a controlled flame for 10 minutes, while the test measures how far and how fast flame spreads across the surface. What matters to buyers is not the apparatus, but the two indices it produces:

• Flame Spread Index (FSI) — how quickly flame spreads across the surface, calculated relative to red oak (rated 100) and asbestos-cement board (rated 0).
• Smoke Developed Index (SDI) — how much smoke the material produces, also relative to the same reference materials.

Class A Thresholds

For commercial interior wall panels, Class A is the most commonly specified requirement in North America, particularly for corridors, exit routes, and high-occupancy spaces under IBC and NFPA 101.

What Class A Does — and Does Not — Measure

Class A tells you two things: surface flame spread is slow, and smoke development is limited under the Steiner Tunnel conditions. It does not measure:

• Flaming droplets or dripping behavior (relevant for melting materials like PVC)
• Heat release rate in a realistic room fire
• Time to flashover in a room-corner scenario

4. GB 8624 B1: The Chinese Standard

The GB 8624-2012 Classification System

GB 8624-2012, Classification for burning behavior of building materials and products, remains the applicable Chinese national standard for fire classification as of August 2026. It replaced the older GB 8624-2006 and restructured the grading system to use performance criteria broadly aligned with the European Euroclass framework. Note that GB 8624-2025 has been published and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, fully replacing GB 8624-2012 — confirm with the project spec which edition applies at the time of delivery:

For interior decorative materials in China, B1 is the grade most commonly required by GB 50222 (Code for Fire Protection Design of Interior Decoration of Buildings) for walls in many commercial and public building types. In practice, the market usually refers to “B1” when specifying PVC wall panels for Chinese projects.

How B1 Is Tested

B1 classification under GB 8624-2012 is determined through tests that are technically similar to the European SBI system:

• GB/T 20284 — the single burning item (SBI) test method, technically equivalent to EN 13823, measuring heat release, fire growth, smoke production, and flaming droplets in a corner configuration.
• GB/T 8626 — the small flame ignition test, corresponding to EN ISO 11925-2.

B1(B) vs B1(C)

The B1 grade contains two sub-levels with different performance. Both are Chinese classifications under GB 8624 — they use performance criteria aligned with the corresponding Euroclass levels, but they are not EN 13501-1 classifications themselves:

• B1(B) — the higher-performing sub-class, with performance criteria aligned with Euroclass B. It remains a Chinese classification under GB 8624, commonly specified for stricter applications.
• B1(C) — the lower-performing sub-class, with performance criteria aligned with Euroclass C. It also remains a GB 8624 classification, acceptable in many applications but not all.

Both sub-classes can carry additional smoke and droplet classifications (e.g., B1(B-s1,d0)). When a Chinese project spec simply says “B1,” clarify whether B1(B) or B1(C) is required — they are not the same performance level.

5. EN 13501-1 B-s1,d0: The European Standard

The Euroclass System

EN 13501-1 classifies construction products in Europe from A1 (no contribution to fire) down to F (no performance determined). For PVC wall panels in commercial projects, B-s1,d0 is a commonly specified Euroclass rating, though the exact requirement depends on the country, building type, and application.

Decoding B-s1,d0

The B-s1,d0 combination is frequently specified for interior wall finishes on evacuation routes, corridors, and high-occupancy commercial spaces in EU member states, depending on the country, building type, occupancy, and national fire regulations. It combines limited fire growth with low smoke and no flaming droplets — all three matter for life safety.

The CPR Context

In the EU, EN 13501-1 is the classification standard. Where the product falls within the scope of an applicable harmonised European standard (for PVC wall panels, EN 15102) or another applicable CPR route, the manufacturer must follow the relevant conformity assessment and declaration requirements under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR, EU 305/2011). This may include:

• A Declaration of Performance (DoP) declaring the reaction-to-fire classification
• CE marking on the product or packaging
• The underlying EN 13501-1 classification report from an EU Notified Body or recognized laboratory

Whether CE marking and a DoP are mandatory depends on the product category, its intended use, and the applicable CPR route — not on other fire reports the product may hold. For EU projects, the required fire classification and supporting documentation should be confirmed against the applicable product standard, the project specification, and national building regulations.

6. Why the Three Cannot Be Directly Swapped

Even though all three standards aim to describe “good fire performance,” they measure different things in different ways:

Three Reasons a Rating Does Not Travel

1. Different tests, different scenarios. ASTM E84 measures surface flame spread in a tunnel. EN 13501-1 and GB 8624 measure fire growth in a corner configuration. A material with excellent tunnel performance can behave differently in a corner fire — and vice versa.

2. Different parameters. ASTM E84 says nothing about flaming droplets — a key parameter for melting thermoplastics like PVC. The European and Chinese systems do. A panel can be Class A in the tunnel yet produce flaming droplets in an SBI test, failing the d0 requirement.

3. Different legal frameworks. Even where the underlying test data is similar, the legal acceptance is governed by the market’s building code and, in the EU, by CPR/CE rules. A report from an unaccredited-for-that-standard laboratory is not legally acceptable, no matter how good the numbers look.

7. Decision Framework: Which Standard Does Your Project Need?

Choosing the right fire rating is not about picking the “best” class — it is about meeting the requirement of the authority that will inspect your project.

Step 1: Identify the Project Market

Step 2: Check the Building Code, Not the Marketing Sheet

The final requirement always comes from the applicable building code for the specific occupancy and location — not from a product brochure. For example:

• An exit corridor in a US hospital may require Class A plus NFPA 286 compliance.
• A Chinese hotel lobby wall may require B1(B-s1,d0) under GB 50222.
• An EU office corridor may require B-s1,d0 under the national building regulation implementing the CPR framework.

Always have the architect, fire consultant, or local authority confirm the exact classification required before you finalize the material specification.

Step 3: Match the Report to the Product

The test report must cover the exact product you are buying — same formulation, same surface finish, same thickness range. A report for a different product line, or for a thickness outside the classified range, does not protect you at inspection.

8. Multi-Market Projects: Testing Under Multiple Standards

Manufacturers exporting to several regions often test the same product under multiple standards. This is normal and legitimate — but each test is independent, performed by an accredited laboratory for that specific standard.

If your project spans multiple markets (for example, a hotel chain sourcing panels for locations in the US, China, and Europe), plan for multi-standard testing. It costs more and takes longer than a single test, but it is the only way to have valid documentation in every jurisdiction.

9. How to Verify a Supplier’s Fire Rating Report

Not every document labeled “fire report” is what it claims to be. Before accepting a supplier’s fire rating documentation, run through this verification list:

• Check the standard cited. The report must cite the exact standard for your market — ASTM E84, GB 8624, or EN 13501-1. Be suspicious of reports citing a different standard than your project requires.
• Verify the laboratory. The testing body must be accredited for that standard — e.g., a UL or Intertek report for ASTM E84, a CNAS-accredited lab for GB 8624, an EU Notified Body or recognized laboratory for EN 13501-1.
• Check the Notified Body number (EU). For EN 13501-1, verify the four-digit Notified Body number on the European Commission NANDO database and confirm it is authorized for the relevant scope.
• Match the product. Product name, code, formulation, surface finish, and thickness on the report must match what you are purchasing.
• Check the report date and validity. Confirm the report is current and covers the product version being supplied. Formulation changes may invalidate earlier results.
• Request the full classification, not a summary. For EN 13501-1, ask for the complete classification (main class + s + d). For GB 8624, clarify the sub-class (B or C). For ASTM E84, ask for both FSI and SDI values, not just “Class A.”

10. Common Mistakes When Specifying Fire Ratings

Mistake 1: Treating the Three Ratings as Equivalent

Using “Class A,” “B1,” and “B-s1,d0” interchangeably in specifications causes real failures. Write the exact standard into your specification and request the matching report.

Mistake 2: Accepting the Wrong Report for the Market

A GB 8624 B1 report cannot certify an EU project; an ASTM E84 report cannot satisfy a Chinese project. Each market enforces its own documentation.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Sub-Classifications

Euroclass B-s3,d2 and B-s1,d0 are both “Class B” — but very different for life safety. Similarly, B1(B) and B1(C) are both “B1.” Always specify the full classification, not just the headline grade.

Mistake 4: Assuming Class A Means Non-Combustible

Class A measures flame spread in a tunnel test. PVC-based wall panels are polymer-based products, and their reaction-to-fire performance must be demonstrated through the applicable test and classification system; Class A means limited flame spread under test conditions, not non-combustibility. If a project truly requires non-combustible performance, PVC is not the right material.

Mistake 5: Skipping the Local Authority Check

Building codes vary by occupancy, building height, and jurisdiction — even within one country. A requirement that applies in one city may not apply in another. Confirm with the AHJ before ordering.

11. Procurement Checklist for Buyers

Related Guides

• PVC Marble Wall Panel Fire Rating Guide: EN 13501, ASTM E84, GB 8624 Explained
• ASTM E84 Class A PVC Wall Panels: What North American Buyers Need to Know
• EN 13501-1 B-s1,d0 Explained: EU Fire Rating for PVC Wall Panels
• CE Certification for PVC Wall Panels: A Complete CPR Compliance Guide

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Is ASTM E84 Class A the same as GB 8624 B1 or EN 13501-1 B-s1,d0?

No. These are three different fire classification systems from three different markets, using different test methods and classification criteria. ASTM E84 Class A is a North American rating based on flame spread and smoke developed indices. GB 8624 B1 is a Chinese rating for difficult-to-ignite materials. EN 13501-1 B-s1,d0 is a European Euroclass rating. A panel that passes one standard does not automatically qualify for another — where different jurisdictions require different classification systems, the manufacturer may need separate testing or classification documentation for each applicable system.

Can a GB 8624 B1 report be used for an EU project?

Not directly. Where a product falls within the scope of an applicable harmonised European standard or other applicable CPR route, the manufacturer must follow the relevant conformity assessment and declaration requirements, which may include a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and CE marking. A GB 8624 B1 classification, even though GB 8624-2012 uses performance criteria aligned with the Euroclass system, does not in itself satisfy EU requirements. Where EN 13501-1 classification is required for the project, it should be supported by the appropriate test and classification documentation from a laboratory with the relevant accreditation.

Which fire rating do I need for PVC wall panels in North America?

For most North American commercial interior wall applications, ASTM E84 Class A is the commonly referenced requirement, with a flame spread index of 25 or less and a smoke developed index of 450 or less. Depending on the occupancy type and building code, additional tests such as NFPA 286 (room corner test) may also be required. Always confirm the specific requirement with your architect or local authority having jurisdiction.

What is the difference between Class B1(B) and B1(C) in GB 8624?

Under GB 8624-2012, the B1 grade (difficult-to-ignite materials) includes two sub-classes: B1(B) and B1(C). B1(B) is the higher-performing sub-class and B1(C) the lower. Both are Chinese classifications under GB 8624 — they use performance criteria aligned with the corresponding Euroclass levels, but they remain GB 8624 classifications rather than EN 13501-1 classifications. Both can carry additional smoke (s) and flaming droplet (d) sub-classifications. For stricter applications such as evacuation routes, B1(B-s1,d0) is the higher specification.

Does ASTM E84 Class A mean the panel is non-combustible?

No. ASTM E84 Class A measures surface flame spread and smoke development in a Steiner Tunnel test. It does not mean the material is non-combustible. PVC-based wall panels are polymer-based products, and their reaction-to-fire performance must be demonstrated through the applicable test and classification system. Class A means their flame spread index is 25 or less under the test conditions.

Can one PVC wall panel carry multiple fire ratings?

Yes. The same panel product can be tested under multiple standards to serve different markets — for example, ASTM E84 Class A for North America, GB 8624 B1 for China, and EN 13501-1 B-s1,d0 for the EU. Each test is independent and must be performed by an accredited laboratory for the respective standard. Multi-standard testing is common for manufacturers exporting to several regions, but it requires additional cost and time.

About Homax Decor: CENCHER INDUSTRY SHANGHAI CO., LTD. (brand: Homax Decor) is a manufacturer of PVC marble wall panels, WPC wall panels, and SPC flooring. Selected Homax Decor products have been tested according to relevant international fire safety standards applicable to their target markets. Contact us to confirm which documentation applies to your project location and product specification.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal, engineering, or regulatory advice. Building code requirements vary by jurisdiction, occupancy type, and application. Always consult your local authority having jurisdiction, architect, or fire consultant for project-specific requirements. Fire classification reports must be verified with the issuing laboratory or Notified Body.