FIRE PROTECTION APPLICATION GUIDE ARMACELL'S PRODUCTS FOR PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION Tel.: +49 25 17 60 30
[email protected] www.armacell.eu 02 | Fire protection application guide Foreword “Nine dead in house fire.” Fortunately we don’t read this or similar headlines every day. Nevertheless, around 4,000 people die in fires every year in the EU member countries. In many cases, deaths, injuries and major damage to buildings can be prevented if the fire protection requirements are implemented correctly. Therefore, passive fire protec- tion in buildings aims to design, construct, modify and maintain build- ings in such a way that the outbreak of a fire and the spread of flames and smoke (fire spread) are prevented. And, if a fire does occur, it must be possible to rescue people and animals and carry out fire-fighting operations effectively. In terms of fire protection, building service equipment, such as pipe- work and ventilation systems, represents a particular weak point. Pipe- and ductwork passes through separating building elements (walls and ceilings), stairwells and corridors, and thus forms a path along which flames and smoke can spread. In the event of a fire, pipe- and ductwork has a significant impact on safety in buildings and can soon pose a seri- ous threat. The risk potential rises with the number of pipes and their various tasks, thicknesses, materials and media. Therefore, in order to achieve the necessary fire protection targets, service penetrations in separating building elements must be sealed off. These fire protec- tion measures can be carried out in accordance with the less strin- gent requirements of the MLAR (state building regulations) or with an approval.