Fire-resistance rating

The fire resistance (also fire resistance ) of a component is the period during which a component in case of fire retains its function. Case, the component must ensure at least the capacity and / or a physical barrier ( preventing the spread of fire or smoke ).

The fire resistance of some tried and tested systems, for example, in Part 4 of the German DIN 4102, BS 476 in the English or in the Canadian MBO - cataloged NBC.

The admission process of uncataloged components requires to obtain a building code approval a fire test.

The fire resistance together with other criteria, part fire resistance rating of a component. For example, should a fire door fire resistance and function after a specified number of opening and closing cycles (typically 200,000 cycles) meet. Sometimes a weathering test before the fire test is prescribed.

Classification of components according to fire resistance classes

What fire resistance classifications internationally largely all assume is a test that was run by nationally accredited standards, and that the so- qualified product, or a number of products that make up a component of an external monitoring subject that has the purpose of a proof be provided that the exam material is identical to the material that is actually manufactured, sold and installed. This is known internationally as a product certification.

So the mounted component must consist of detectable proper and monitored material. Furthermore, it is imperative to comply with the tolerances of the relevant authorization. For example, a blanket made ​​from a new concrete that has reached a 120 minute fire resistance, and in the strength of 120 mm has been tested may not be used in this strength, if they fire resistance class was required during construction. Such tolerance, such as the density of a material, are part of the inventory building authority approval. The classification will only be achieved under construction when the installation of the approved product is within the tolerances of the authorization, which also implies that the production of the product is monitored by third parties. The authorization shall be valid at the time of installation of the product on the site.

DIN 4102

In Germany, a building approval via the German Institute for Building Technology takes place. Conventional fire resistance classes ( sometimes also referred to as fire protection classes) according to DIN 4102:

Some special components have their own codes, which are used instead of the general "F":

  • Q: walls, ceilings, building columns and under trains, stairs
  • Q: fire-resistant glazing. Protection from heat radiation on the brand side facing away.
  • T: Fire protection closures (doors, gates and valves)
  • G: fire-resistant glazing or window element. However, no heat radiation protection on the brand side facing away. A cotton swab (see DIN 4102) is ignited. Supplement: " assurance of viewing ports are G- glazing, which represent a physical barrier without thermal insulation, ie, radiant heat can be more or less freely penetrate (depending on the type of glazing) "
  • L: ventilation duct and piping
  • E: Electrical installation duct or installation cables with an approved standard mounting system such as electric cable on cable ladder ( fire from the outside to the inside, with mandatory integrity )
  • I: Electrical installation duct for installation cables ( fire from the inside out, not necessarily a function maintenance )
  • K: dampers in ventilation ducts
  • R: pipe sealing, pipe penetrations
  • S: Schott, cable firewall
  • W: Non-load bearing exterior walls

Appending the identifier for the fire behavior of building materials, a component can be further specified. For example, denotes the class F30 -B, a component of the fire resistance class F30, which is made of combustible material.

Party walls must meet, for example, usually F90, doors in these walls T30. Fire walls must firstly have a fire resistance rating of F90 and resist beyond mechanical shock tests, regulated in DIN 4102.

DIN EN 13501

As a European standard DIN EN 13501 was introduced with the parts 1 and 2 in the Building Regulation List 2002/1 et seq. In contrast to the European standard DIN 4102-1 includes a much wider range of classes and combinations. It will, inter alia, the smoke development and dripping or falling of materials considered and divided into classes.

Part 1 deals with the fire behavior of building materials and products, Part 2 with the fire resistance classes.

The performance characteristics are abbreviated in detail with the following letter:

  • R ( Resistance): sustainability; no loss of stability
  • E ( Etanchéité ): Integrity; Preventing the passage of fire on the non- flared side
  • I ( insulation ): Insulation; Limiting the spread of fire or heat on the side facing away from the fire
  • W ( Radiation; originally Watt): Heat radiation; Limitation of thermal radiation on the applied side
  • S ( Smoke): smoke tightness; Limit the passage of smoke
  • M (Mechanical ): Mechanical action; Shock loading on the wall
  • C (closing): Self-closing; for smoke control doors and other fire barriers
  • P ( Power): conservation of energy supply; electric cable
  • G: Soot fire resistance
  • K: fire protection

A wall of fire resistance class F90 according to DIN 4102 is designated according to DIN EN 13501 as REI 90. Should this wall be performed as a fire wall, it has to have the classification REIM 90 ( additional criterion impact load for the fire wall).

Internationally

Internationally, there are many variants with diverse requirements for almost countless components.

For example in Canada, the Canadian Institute for Building sets ( Institute for Research in Construction, a part of the National Research Council of Canada, editor of the Canadian Model Building Code NBC) special requirements for penetration seals for plastic pipes fixed. Due to the potentially high temperature difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures (eg 20 ° C inside and -40 ° C outside the fire development ), requires the Canadian test standard, which is mandatory in the Canadian MBO, a positive furnace pressure > 50 Pa fixed. It covers must be placed where the pressure is artificially produced by deduction in the test bench. Upon successful completion of the fire test is selectively loaded with a 30 - PSI - fighting water test over a period of time the bulkhead.

Some fire doors in the U.S. even during the fire test gape, but not too far.

Countries without authorization requirement

Unique in the international construction industry are England, as well as the North American nuclear power industry, where no approval must be obtained. Here one uses only the audit reports, but which do not result in approval, who interpret the audit report on standardized manner. In the NAFTA NPP area, it is even customary to allow installation company make the specimens in our own workshop without an official or independent testimony.

This would be illegal in Germany. So one uses here the legal way in order to draw the manufacturers and installation companies to court in case of damage to justice can. However, the evidence is clearly complicated by the fact that no one can really prove, from which the specimen was. Without standardized interpretation of an audit report, which resulted in an admission that can leave no doubt on the construction site to pay, the legal interpretation of a claim is also made ​​more difficult because you can argue later about the interpretation of the audit report.

Conflagration National Research Council (Canada)
143067
de