Similar to BS5628-3, the prescriptive approach of EN1996-1-2 provides the design tables for the assessment of fire resistance for masonry walls by giving minimum wall thickness for a stated period of fire resistance. EN1996-1-2 provides the models for six tables (see Table 1) for each masonry unit material, including clay, calcium silicate, dense and lightweight aggregate concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete and manufactured stone masonry. Each country should insert the values for use in the National Annex.

Table 1 Design Tables for Masonry Walls Provided in EN1996-1-2

Basically, it is suggested that the fire performance of masonry walls depends on the following
factors:

Recommended values of minimum wall lengths and thickness for the fire resistance of various types of wall construction and loading conditions are given in the tables in the Note to Annex B of EN1996-1-2.

An extract from Tables N.B of prEN1996-1-2 is shown in Table 2, covering loadbearing single-leaf walls made of various masonry unit materials.

In cases where the tabular data are not available for a type of masonry wall, the standard fire tests should be carried out in accordance with the relevant Eurocodes, including EN1363, EN1364-1, EN1365-1 and EN1365-4, to obtain the required fire resistance.