GRP Fire Rating
What You Need to Know About Safety and Compliance
In environments where safety is paramount, understanding the fire performance of construction materials is essential. Whether specifying materials for rail stations, data centres, substations, or rooftop walkways, the fire rating of GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) is a critical factor in risk mitigation and regulatory compliance.
Engineered Composites offers a complete range of GRP products that meet stringent fire safety standards. From GRP grating and rebar to handrails, box sections and structural profiles, our systems provide reliable protection without compromising performance or longevity. In this article, we explain how GRP fire classification works, what standards apply, and how our solutions deliver peace of mind across high-risk sectors.
Understanding GRP Fire Rating and Compliance
The majority of Engineered Composites’ GRP systems are manufactured to meet Class 2 fire rating under BS 476 Part 7, the benchmark for flame spread on composite materials in the UK. This rating confirms that our GRP materials exhibit limited flame spread, suitable for non-loadbearing components in regulated environments such as public access areas, substations and enclosed industrial spaces.
In parallel, products also meet ASTM E84 Class 2, a US-based standard assessing surface burning behaviour. Compliance with both British and international standards ensures our solutions are fit for projects with cross-border safety specifications or multinational stakeholder oversight.
GRP grating fire rating is one of the most common specification concerns due to the nature of its installation across walkways, mezzanines and access platforms. Our GRP open mesh grating and solid top panels are manufactured with fire-retardant resins and quartz-gritted anti-slip surfaces, achieving Class 2 under BS 476 Pt 7, and helping prevent flame propagation even under direct ignition scenarios.
GRP Products with Fire-Resistant Properties
Many of our GRP solutions offer enhanced fire protection as standard:
- GRP handrails: Modular systems using isophthalic resins, rated to Class 2, suitable for public walkways and access points where pedestrian safety is critical.
- GRP rebar: Non-conductive and corrosion-proof, offering long-term structural support in fire-sensitive zones. Made from vinyl ester resins, it withstands elevated temperatures while maintaining tensile integrity.
- GRP structural profiles: Including I-beams, box sections and channels with Class 2 fire performance, used in blast walls, walkways and substation perimeter installations.
- GRP mesh and palisade fencing: Suitable for rail and utility applications where non-conductivity and limited flame spread are necessary.
- These products are designed to perform in environments ranging from -40°C to +120°C, ensuring resilience under both thermal shock and sustained heat exposure.
- Beyond Fire Rating: Smoke, Conductivity and Long-Term Safety
Fire resistance isn’t just about classification. It’s about how a product performs in real conditions. Engineered Composites uses fire-retardant, low-smoke resins in all structural and safety-critical products. This ensures minimal smoke generation and reduced toxicity during fire events, crucial for evacuation planning and maintaining visibility in enclosed infrastructure such as data centres and marine vessels.
In addition, our GRP systems are non-conductive, providing added safety in electrified environments such as railway stations, power substations, offshore platforms and telecoms facilities. Unlike steel, which can become a live conductor during faults or fires, GRP remains electrically inert.
Standards, Testing and Specification Support
All Engineered Composites GRP products are manufactured under ISO 9001 quality management systems and tested by UKAS-accredited laboratories.
Products conform to:
- BS 476 Part 7 Class 2 (UK fire rating)
- ASTM E84 Class 2 (US fire rating)
- BS EN 13706 (for pultruded profiles)
- Environmental compliance through EPDs to support BREEAM, LEED, and PAS 2080 initiatives
Our technical team provides full documentation, certification packs and design support to ensure your project achieves the correct fire compliance profile.
Final Thoughts
The fire safety of GRP should never be an afterthought. As material selection comes under increasing scrutiny in public infrastructure and sustainable construction, choosing GRP systems with verified fire performance is essential.
With fire-rated GRP grating, handrails, fencing and structural profiles readily available, Engineered Composites ensures safe access, structural resilience and long-term regulatory compliance. Our GRP fire-retardant products are trusted across transport, utilities, defence, and renewable energy sectors.
Speak to our technical specialists today to explore fire-rated GRP solutions for your next project and ensure total confidence in your specification.
GRP Fire Safety – Frequently Asked Questions
All structural GRP products supplied by Engineered Composites—including grating, handrails, profiles, fencing, and rebar—achieve Class 2 fire performance under BS 476 Part 7. This rating confirms that products are suitable for applications where surface flame spread must be controlled, including public infrastructure, data centres, and utilities. Our products also meet ASTM E84 Class 2, demonstrating transatlantic safety compliance.
Class 2 under BS 476 Part 7 refers to limited flame spread across the product’s surface. It is the accepted standard for GRP structural products in the UK, including installations within Network Rail and offshore platforms. Products tested to this class are appropriate for corridors, cable supports, walkways, access platforms, and non-loadbearing enclosures.
Euroclass B is part of the EN 13501-1 system commonly referenced in European regulations. While Dura promotes Class B, Engineered Composites ensures compliance with BS 476 Part 7 Class 2, which is recognised under UK Building Regulations and supported by BS EN 13706 for structural pultruded profiles. The two ratings assess similar flame spread characteristics using different test methods.
Yes. We use fire-retardant isophthalic and vinyl ester resins across our GRP portfolio. These resins are formulated to be self-extinguishing, minimising sustained combustion. Products such as grating and stair tread covers also feature quartz-grit anti-slip surfacing, which helps prevent ignition from surface sparks or embers.
Absolutely. Engineered Composites’ GRP systems are used in rail stations, data centres, substations, chemical plants, and aviation zones where flame control, smoke suppression, and electrical safety are paramount. Our GRP is non-conductive, corrosion-proof, and maintains structural integrity at elevated temperatures up to 120°C.
All GRP profiles are manufactured under ISO 9001-certified systems, with third-party UKAS-accredited fire testing carried out. Certificates are available for every fire-rated product, and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are supplied to support BREEAM, LEED, and PAS2080 project requirements.
Yes. While our standard range is Class 2, Class 1 or Euroclass B-rated variants are available on request for certain product lines. We advise consulting with our technical team to ensure compatibility with your project’s fire strategy and location-specific requirements.
