EI 90 entrance doors
Building law and monument law regarding fire protection Monument protection
When it comes to the fire protection of existing buildings, the primary aim is always to preserve their value by taking preventive measures to avoid damage caused by fire. This is all the more important when it comes to historical buildings, which are linked to historical epochs of past times and are intended to serve as a culture of remembrance for people. Fire protection and monument protection therefore play a special role for such buildings.
In the case of fire protection in listed buildings, preventive measures must be taken to ensure that escape routes are always available in the event of a fire breaking out to enable people who are in the building at the time the fire breaks out to escape quickly to the outside. Fire protection measures are therefore always measures that serve the well-being of people.
Monument protection and fire protection as indispensable necessities
Where fire-resistant windows and fire-resistant doors are installed, this is always done as a preventative measure to keep fires at bay for a certain period of time, even if they cannot be completely ruled out. Fire protection for listed buildings is also always about preserving high property values and also about the safety of the people living or working in the respective buildings. In the event of a fire, escape routes to the outside must be available for them, which are also labelled as such in the form of pictorial representations on the walls.
Fire protection in listed buildings and carpentry work
If the focus is on fire protection for listed buildings, a precise definition and procedure is required as to how and through which measures these objectives can best and most effectively be achieved. The measures to be taken for the fire protection of listed buildings are precisely specified by the authorities and must be meticulously followed.
For example, in the case of fire protection for listed buildings, a building must have a fire wall in accordance with the model building regulations if the building is less than 2.50 metres from the property boundary. There is an exception to this rule if the nearest building is more than 5 metres away from the property boundary.
Fire protection requirements for listed buildings for opening fire protection windows
Only a fire protection window that is also closed in the event of a fire can fully develop its protective and fire-retardant effect. So if it is a fire protection window that can also be opened, there must be a mechanism that closes the window automatically in the event of a fire. Only then can it be accepted, approved and authorised by the authorities as a fire protection window for listed building fire protection.
There are three different variants of opening fire-resistant windows:
- Ventilation sash with self-closing feature
Such a window can be opened for ventilation purposes. In the event of a fire, a closer without a hold-open device ensures that the window closes automatically. - Cleaning sash
The cleaning sash variant can be opened, but cannot be left open. In the event of a fire, a lockable part on the cleaning sash ensures that the fire protection window is closed. - Opening or ventilation sash with hold-open device
With this variant of opening or ventilation sash with hold-open device, there is the option of hold-open in the open state, with simultaneous self-closing mechanism via sensor control. In the event of a fire, a smoke detector triggers the free swing closer, which then closes the window automatically.
When using this technology, installation is only possible by a certified company, which then also carries out a functional check at regular intervals. This fire protection window can also be designed as a tiltable version.
With sound carpentry training in Berlin to become a fire protection window specialist for fire protection of listed buildings
In order to be able to produce high-quality fire protection windows and fire protection doors, you always need well-trained skilled workers who, as carpenters, not only have a perfect command of wood, but are also very familiar with the special requirements of fire protection technology. Well-founded carpentry training in Berlin with an additional module in fire protection for listed buildings provides perfect pioneering work that enables graduates of these training institutions to enter the specialised field of fire protection for listed buildings immediately.
A growing demand for such well-trained carpenters puts any concerns about future unemployment in this specialised field of fire protection and monument conservation to one side.
Fire protection implemented in practice Listed building protection
Well-planned and implemented fire protection measures for listed buildings can not only effectively protect buildings in the event of a fire, but are also ideally suited to saving lives by delaying the spread of fire.
The following table provides an overview of possible measures and their effects on the fire protection of listed buildings.
| Fire protection class | Explanation | ||
| F 30 or EI 30 | Fire-retardant withstands 30 minutes. | ||
| F 60 or EI 60 | Highly fire-retardant withstands 60 minutes. | ||
| F 90 or EI 90 | Fire-resistant withstands 90 minutes. | ||
| F 120 or EI 120 | Highly fire-resistant withstands 120 minutes. |
Joinery specialising in fire protection and monument protection
Any structural measure to improve fire protection in listed buildings can only ever be as good as the technical expertise and conscientious work of the experts carrying out the work.
The fire protection joinery Beelitz is very familiar with the highly demanding speciality of fire protection for listed buildings and enjoys full order books.
The Beelitz fire protection joinery has a wide range of possible variants to offer, especially in the area of fire protection windows, which are listed in the following table:
| Fire protection class (and other properties) | Possible wood species (and other explanations) | ||
| EI2 30 (F 30) | Pine, spruce meranti, oak, sipo, Siberian larch | ||
| EI2 60 (F 60) | Pine, oak, sipo, Siberian larch | ||
| EI2 90 (F 90) | Pine, oak, sipo, Siberian larch | ||
| Silicone colour | Transparent, white, black, special colour | ||
| Surface | Glaze, oiled, brushed and oiled, opaque coating (RAL/NCS) | ||
| Colour variants | Single-coloured, multi-coloured, special requests on request | ||
| Window sill connections | Without, Outside, Inside | ||
| Thermal insulation requirements ISO | 2-fold, 3-fold | ||
| Window shape | Rectangular, other shapes, special shapes on request | ||
| Sprouts | Without, glazing bars glued on, glazing bars divided by glass, special shapes on request | ||
| Window variants | Fixed glazing, opening sash, decorative profiles, sash indicated for fixed glazing, special variants on request |
Fire protection Listed building protection and the different fire protection classes
The table below contains a series of measures to promote fire protection and monument protection and their preventive effects.
| Structural measures for fire protection Monument protection | Effect for fire protection Monument protection | ||
| Recognising and eliminating weak points | Increased fire protection Preservation of existing building components | ||
| Retrofitting existing components | Ensuring a defined fire resistance | ||
| Cladding of existing components | Ensure defined fire resistance | ||
| Plastering walls | Increasing the fire resistance | ||
| Special fire protection coatings | Ensure fire resistance | ||
| Provide opening closures classified for fire protection | Secure escape routes, prevent or delay the spread of fire and smoke | ||
| Install fire cells | Prevent or delay the spread of fire | ||
| Installing or overhauling firewalls | Prevent or delay the spread of fire | ||
| Retrofitting existing escape routes | Increased chances of self-rescue and rescue by others | ||
| Integrate additional escape routes | Increase in escape options |
Conclusion
Depending on the local official regulations, new buildings require effective and efficient measures to ensure the required level of fire protection for listed buildings. However, even in the case of conversions and alterations to existing buildings and facilities, it is often the case that official requirements to ensure adequate fire protection for listed buildings must be met and complied with.
Effective measures for monument protection and fire protection can be taken by installing fire-resistant windows and fire-resistant doors. This is why fire protection in listed buildings is always linked to a joinery that is predestined for such work and employs well-trained specialist carpenters on its staff.
If you are faced with the problem of having to install fire-resistant windows or fire-resistant doors in order to comply with official requirements for fire protection in listed buildings, get in touch with us on.
Our experienced experts in this highly specialised field of fire protection for listed buildings will provide you with expert advice at all times.