Novia FR Fire Resistant Breather Membrane – 1.5m x 50m

Novia FR Fire Resistant Breather Membrane is a high-performance, fire-rated and vapour-permeable membrane designed for pitched cold roofs, pitched warm roofs and insulated wall applications. Featuring a monolithic TPU and non-woven laminate construction, it combines Class W1 water resistance with good breathability and enhanced reaction-to-fire performance.

When installed onto A1 or A2 substrates, Novia FR Breather achieves a B-s1,d0 reaction-to-fire classification. When installed onto wood-based materials, the classification is D-s2,d0.

The membrane meets EN 13859-1 for pitched roofs and EN 13859-2 for walls, and Novia specifies it as suitable for insulated wall applications including those above 18 metres in height, subject to the requirements of the complete construction and applicable building regulations.

Supplied as a 1.5m x 50m roll, each roll provides 75m² nominal coverage.

Why Choose Novia FR Breather Membrane?

Key benefits include:

• 1.5m x 50m roll
• 75m² nominal coverage
• Fire-resistant roof and wall breather membrane
• B-s1,d0 when fitted to A1 or A2 materials
• D-s2,d0 when fitted to wood materials
• Suitable for pitched cold roofs
• Suitable for pitched warm roofs
• Suitable for insulated walls
• Suitable for specified wall applications above 18m
• Suitable for fully boarded roofs
• Class W1 water resistance to EN 1928
• Breathable and vapour permeable
• Monolithic membrane design
• High-performance TPU and non-woven laminate
• Lightweight for easier installation
• Excellent UV stability
• CE compliant to EN 13859-1 for roofs
• CE compliant to EN 13859-2 for walls
• Black face and white reverse
• 150mm lap line from each edge
• Single membrane solution for compatible roof and wall applications

What Is Novia FR Breather Membrane Used For?

Novia FR Breather is designed for applications where a breathable external membrane with enhanced reaction-to-fire performance is required.

Typical applications include:

• Pitched cold roofs
• Pitched warm roofs
• Fully boarded pitched roofs
• Insulated wall construction
• Timber frame construction where appropriately specified
• Wall applications above 18m where the complete construction permits
• Projects requiring a higher fire classification than a standard Class E breather membrane
• Other compatible roof and wall applications

The suitability of the membrane should always be considered alongside the fire, moisture and ventilation requirements of the complete building construction.

B-s1,d0 Fire Classification

When Novia FR Breather is fitted to A1 or A2 materials, the membrane achieves:

B-s1,d0

This reaction-to-fire classification provides enhanced performance compared with standard Class E breather membranes.

The classification is dependent on the substrate onto which the membrane is installed.

When Fitted to A1 or A2 Materials

B-s1,d0

When Fitted to Wood Materials

D-s2,d0

This distinction is important when specifying the product, particularly where the reaction-to-fire performance of the complete wall or roof construction is a critical design consideration.

What Does B-s1,d0 Mean?

The stated B-s1,d0 classification relates to the membrane’s reaction-to-fire performance under the specified test and installation conditions.

The classification includes:

• B reaction-to-fire classification
• s1 smoke production classification
• d0 flaming droplets or particles classification

The supplied B-s1,d0 classification applies when Novia FR Breather is fitted to A1 or A2 materials.

When installed onto wood materials, the supplied classification is D-s2,d0.

The membrane classification should not be interpreted as the fire classification of the complete roof or wall assembly.

Suitable for Wall Applications Above 18 Metres

Novia specifies FR Breather for insulated wall applications including those above 18 metres in height, in line with the intended fire-rated applications of the product.

The suitability of any membrane within a building above 18m must still be considered as part of the complete wall construction and applicable building regulations.

Factors such as substrate, insulation, cavity barriers, external finishes and other components can affect the compliance and fire performance of the overall wall system.

Class W1 Water Resistance

Novia FR Breather achieves:

Class W1 water resistance to EN 1928

W1 represents the stated water resistance classification for the membrane.

This allows Novia FR Breather to provide high levels of water resistance while maintaining the vapour permeability required from a breather membrane.

Correct installation, laps, penetrations and detailing remain essential to the performance of the complete construction.

Breathable and Vapour Permeable

Novia FR Breather uses a monolithic breathable membrane design.

The membrane is vapour permeable, allowing water vapour to pass through its structure as part of an appropriately designed roof or wall build-up.

This allows it to provide both:

• High water resistance from the external side
• Vapour permeability through the membrane

The complete roof or wall construction should still be designed according to the project’s condensation and moisture control requirements.

High-Performance TPU Construction

Novia FR Breather incorporates a high-performance TPU and non-woven laminate construction.

TPU, or thermoplastic polyurethane, forms part of the membrane’s high-performance construction and provides the basis for its combination of:

• Water resistance
• Vapour permeability
• Fire performance
• UV stability
• Lightweight handling

Novia states that the TPU construction performs significantly better than many alternative membrane materials.

Excellent UV Stability

Novia FR Breather provides excellent UV stability.

Installation should nevertheless follow the relevant BS 5534 UV guidance, and the membrane should not be treated as a permanently exposed external finish.

The appropriate covering and construction programme should follow Novia’s installation guidance.

Roof Breather Membrane

Novia FR Breather is suitable for:

• Pitched cold roofs
• Pitched warm roofs
• Fully boarded pitched roofs

For roofing applications, the membrane is CE compliant to:

EN 13859-1

Its combination of W1 water resistance, breathability and fire performance makes it particularly useful where a higher-performing breather membrane is required.

Suitable for Fully Boarded Roofs

Novia specifically identifies FR Breather as suitable for use on fully boarded roofs.

This allows the membrane to be considered for pitched roof constructions incorporating continuous boarding, subject to the requirements of the complete roof design.

Wall Breather Membrane

Novia FR Breather is also designed for insulated wall applications.

For wall applications, the membrane is CE compliant to:

EN 13859-2

This allows a single membrane specification to be considered across compatible roof and wall applications.

Single Product for Roofs and Walls

One of the key advantages of Novia FR Breather is its versatility.

Rather than requiring separate fire-resistant breather membranes for different building elements, the product is dual approved for appropriate:

• Roof applications
• Wall applications

This can simplify membrane specification where the same performance characteristics are required across different areas of a project.

Black Face and White Reverse

Novia FR Breather is:

• Black on the front
• White on the reverse

The membrane contains no printed text or imagery apart from installation lap lines.

150mm Lap Lines

Novia FR Breather incorporates a 150mm lap line from each edge.

These lines provide a useful installation reference when positioning adjoining membrane sheets.

The final overlap and sealing arrangement should follow the relevant Novia installation instructions and project specification.

Combine with Novia VC4000 FR

For applications requiring a coordinated fire-rated membrane solution, Novia recommends combining:

Novia FR Breather Membrane

with:

Novia VC4000 FR Vapour Control Layer

Novia FR Breather is used as the breathable membrane within the appropriate external part of the construction, while VC4000 FR provides the vapour control layer within the appropriate internal side of the construction.

The two products can therefore form part of a coordinated fire-rated roof or wall membrane specification.

The fire performance and compliance of the complete construction should still be assessed as a whole.

Novia FR Breather vs Standard Class E Breather Membranes

Many standard Novia breather membranes have a Class E reaction-to-fire classification.

Novia FR Breather provides enhanced performance where a higher fire classification is required.

Novia FR Breather:

• B-s1,d0 when fitted to A1 or A2 materials
• D-s2,d0 when fitted to wood
• W1 water resistance
• TPU and non-woven laminate
• Roof and wall applications
• Suitable for specified applications above 18m
• Excellent UV stability

Standard Class E breather membrane:

• May be suitable where enhanced fire performance is not required
• Project-specific membrane characteristics vary by product

The correct membrane should be selected according to the fire, moisture and construction requirements of the project.

1.5m x 50m Roll

Each roll measures:

1.5m wide x 50m long

Providing:

75m² nominal coverage

Actual usable coverage will be lower after allowing for membrane overlaps, cutting and installation wastage.

Novia FR Fire Resistant Breather Membrane Specification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Novia FR Breather Membrane?

Novia FR Breather is a fire-resistant, breathable and vapour-permeable roof and wall membrane manufactured using a high-performance TPU and non-woven laminate construction.

What size is a roll?

Each roll measures:

1.5m wide x 50m long

How much area does one roll cover?

Each roll provides:

75m² nominal coverage

Actual usable coverage will be lower after allowing for overlaps, cutting and installation wastage.

What fire rating does Novia FR Breather have?

The classification depends on the material onto which it is fitted:

• A1 or A2 materials: B-s1,d0
• Wood materials: D-s2,d0

This distinction should be considered when specifying the membrane.

Is Novia FR Breather suitable for buildings above 18m?

Novia specifies the membrane as suitable for insulated wall applications including those above 18m in height.

The membrane must still be considered as part of the complete wall construction and applicable building regulations.

Is Novia FR Breather waterproof?

The membrane achieves the highest stated water resistance classification of W1 to EN 1928.

For technical product descriptions, it is more accurate to use its tested W1 water resistance classification rather than describing the membrane simply as waterproof.

Is Novia FR Breather breathable?

Yes. It uses a monolithic breathable and vapour-permeable membrane design.

What is TPU?

TPU stands for thermoplastic polyurethane.

Novia FR Breather uses a high-performance TPU and non-woven laminate construction to provide its combination of water resistance, breathability, fire performance and UV stability.

Can Novia FR Breather be used on roofs?

Yes. It is suitable for pitched cold and warm roof applications and meets EN 13859-1.

Can it be used on fully boarded roofs?

Yes. Novia specifically states that FR Breather is suitable for fully boarded roofs.

Can Novia FR Breather be used on walls?

Yes. It is designed for insulated wall applications and meets EN 13859-2.

Is Novia FR Breather suitable for both roofs and walls?

Yes. The product is dual approved for appropriate roof and wall applications.

What water resistance does it provide?

Novia FR Breather achieves Class W1 water resistance to EN 1928.

Does Novia FR Breather have UV resistance?

Novia describes the membrane as having excellent UV stability.

Installation should follow the applicable BS 5534 UV guidance and Novia’s installation requirements.

What colour is Novia FR Breather?

The membrane is:

• Black on the front
• White on the reverse

It has no printed text or imagery apart from its lap lines.

Does Novia FR Breather have overlap guides?

Yes. The membrane incorporates a 150mm lap line from each edge to assist during installation.

Which VCL should be used with Novia FR Breather?

Novia recommends combining FR Breather with Novia VC4000 FR Vapour Control Layer where a coordinated fire-rated membrane construction is required.

Is B-s1,d0 the classification regardless of the substrate?

No.

The supplied classification is:

• B-s1,d0 when fitted to A1 or A2 materials
• D-s2,d0 when fitted to wood materials

This qualification is important and should be considered when specifying the product.

How many rolls do I need?

Each roll provides 75m² nominal coverage.

As a simple guide:

• 75m² = approximately 1 roll
• 150m² = approximately 2 rolls
• 225m² = approximately 3 rolls
• 300m² = approximately 4 rolls
• 375m² = approximately 5 rolls

Additional material should be allowed for membrane overlaps, cutting and installation wastage.

Novia FR Fire Resistant Breather Membrane

Novia FR Breather is a high-performance fire-resistant membrane designed for pitched cold roofs, pitched warm roofs, fully boarded roofs and insulated wall applications.

Its monolithic TPU and non-woven construction combines Class W1 water resistance to EN 1928 with good breathability and vapour permeability, while providing enhanced reaction-to-fire performance.

The membrane achieves B-s1,d0 when fitted to A1 or A2 materials and D-s2,d0 when fitted to wood materials. It is CE compliant to EN 13859-1 for roofs and EN 13859-2 for walls and is specified by Novia for wall applications including those above 18m, subject to the requirements of the complete construction.

Supplied as a 1.5m x 50m roll providing 75m² nominal coverage, Novia FR Breather provides a versatile fire-resistant breather membrane solution for demanding roof and wall applications.