Fire protection windows - an investment in safety 

For most people, the danger of fire is far away in everyday life. But every year, around 400 people in Germany die as a result of fire. Preventive structural fire protection can save lives. Fire protection windows are an important part of these measures. They withstand fire longer than ordinary windows and can therefore slow down or even prevent the spread of fire. A fire-resistant window can make the difference between an annoying incident with limited material damage or a catastrophe with fatalities.

What is a fire protection window?

Ordinary window glass would quickly crack due to the heat in the event of a fire. Fire-resistant windows are windows which, due to their design and materials, can withstand contact with fire for a specified minimum time. The frames of such fire-resistant windows are usually made of wood or wood-aluminium. Plastic would melt and release toxic gases.

Although wood burns as a material, a charred surface greatly slows down this process. Softwood and hardwood species are used for fire-resistant windows. Wooden frames for fire-resistant windows are also thicker than for normal windows.

The glass in a fire-resistant window is special fire-resistant glass. This resistance to fire can be achieved in various ways. Glass can be constructed using single-pane safety glass, multi-pane insulating glass with gel filling or a combination with laminated safety glass (LSG). In our company, we use PEFC-certified wood for the frame as well as toughened safety glass or laminated safety glass as fire-resistant glass.

Our EI 90 fire protection window can withstand fire for over 90 minutes, which is why it is also used in escape routes.

Who has to install fire-resistant windows?

Whether a building requires fire walls and fire protection windows is determined by the authorities as part of the fire protection concept or in the building permit. These fire protection requirements are based on the respective state building regulations. Architects are familiar with these regulations and plan accordingly. As a general rule, where buildings are close together or directly adjacent to each other, fire walls are required to prevent the fire from spreading. These walls must remain load-bearing even in the event of fire. No windows may be installed in firewalls - unless they are fire-resistant windows. Windows in a boundary development must always take fire protection into account.

Today, the use of fire-resistant glazing is also required wherever many people come together: in hospitals, schools, hotels, but also in office buildings or shopping centres. Larger properties must also be divided into fireproof sections so that a fire cannot spread uncontrollably and people have a safe way out in an emergency.

The fire protection requirements for trade and industry are based on the fire load resulting from the activity and the machinery present. Electrical equipment is responsible for a large proportion of fires. Here too, the systems must be divided into fire-safe sections so that employees have safe exits.

Fire protection for windows: Fire resistance classes

Today, fire-resistant windows are categorised according to the European standard DIN EN 13501. In everyday life, however, many people still use the terms of the old German DIN standard 4102, which categorised materials into five different fire resistance classes (F). The new European standard is somewhat more complicated - there are more times and different criteria. For fire-resistant windows, the room closure E (Étanchéité ) and the thermal insulation I (Isolation) are relevant. F or EI windows not only stop the fire itself and the smoke, but also the heat radiation. This prevents materials on the other side from igniting through heat alone. These gradations of fire resistance are used for fire-resistant windows:

F 30 or EI 30fire-retardant - withstands fire for 30 minutes
F 60 or EI 60Highly fire-retardant - withstands fire for 60 minutes
F 90 or EI 90fire-resistant - withstands fire for 90 minutes
F 120 or EI 120Highly fire-resistant - withstands 120 minutes

Fire protection windows with the old German standard G or new E stop fire and smoke, but not heat radiation. They are often used indoors, for example for partition walls between offices.
A window in a fire protection wall must normally comply with fire resistance class EI/ F 90 as a minimum. We manufacture fire protection windows of all classes up to EI 120 to suit your project. 

Opening fire protection windows

An open fire protection window without self-closing properties would not fulfil its function in the event of a fire. In the past, fire protection windows were therefore often designed as fixed glazing. Opening fire protection windows can be approved if it is ensured that they are closed when it matters. 

There are three tested variants: 

Our ventilation sashes with self-closing feature are equipped with a closer, but without hold-open or open-air function. The window is kept open during the ventilation process. The ventilation sash makes it possible to use openable windows even in fire protection areas with the highest requirements while continuing to fulfil all fire protection requirements. Individual ventilation is thus possible by simply opening the sash.

So-called cleaning sashes may be opened, but must not be left open. The reversible sash may only be opened for cleaning purposes. The fire protection window with cleaning sash may therefore only be opened by trained personnel. A lockable olive ensures that the cleaning sash is closed in the event of a fire.

Opening or ventilation sashes with hold-open function can be detected when open if they have a sensor-controlled self-closing mechanism. If the smoke detector signals an emergency, the free-wheel closer must close the window. This technology may only be installed by certified companies and must be checked regularly. It may also be possible to realise a tiltable fire protection window.

If the ventilation function of the fire protection window is not required, it is also possible to realise fixed glazing.

We manufacture for you CE-approved Self-closing fire protection windows of fire resistance class EI 30, EI 60 or EI 90 for opening and supply them throughout Europe.

We also manufacture fixed glazing in the fire protection classes F30, F60 and F90.

Detached house: Fire protection windows at the property boundary

The model building regulations require a fire wall if the property boundary is less than 2.50 metres away - unless the nearest building is more than 5 metres away. This means that even a detached house may require a fire wall on small plots or after property divisions. Openings in a fire wall are not actually permitted. A window in this boundary wall must also take fire protection into account.

Windows let daylight into the room and allow a pleasant view outside. However, if the neighbour's house is so close that you are obliged to build a firewall, this view can lead to conflicts. Fire-resistant windows can also be designed in such a way that they let in light but are opaque in both directions.

Especially in a private home, people often want to be able to open the windows to ventilate. Opening fire protection windows that are used as ventilation sashes must be equipped with a closing mechanism so that they are closed when it matters.

We manufacture fire-resistant windows according to your requirements - transparent or opaque, with fixed glazing or opening.

What do fire protection windows cost?

Fire-resistant glass has its price. Fire-resistant windows are more expensive than normal windows due to the materials used and the more complex design. The cost of one square metre of fire resistance class EI 30 can only be calculated on the basis of an individual quotation. The fact is that the price of a fire protection window increases with its protection requirements. The following factors influence the price of a fire protection window:

• Fire resistance class 
• Size
• Fixed glazing or option to open
• Special requests with limited space

The larger, the higher the fire resistance class and the more functions, the more expensive the fire protection window will be. But in an emergency, the investment in safety pays off.

Buying fire-resistant windows: What should you look out for?

Investing in a fire-resistant window is an investment in the safety of your family, your employees or customers and your neighbours. To ensure that it fulfils its purpose, check the following points:

• What fire resistance class do the authorities require?
• Does the selected fire protection window fulfil the official requirements?
• Should the fire protection window also keep out heat - class EI (formerly F) - or is it sufficient to withstand fire, i.e. class E (formerly G)?
• If you have selected opening sashes: Is it ensured that the window is closed in an emergency and do the authorities recognise this?
• Is the fire-resistant window or fire-resistant glazing manufactured by a company that is certified to do so?

Our company specialises in fire protection windows. We will be happy to advise you on the options available to you. We also find solutions for fire-resistant windows in listed buildings and in confined spaces.