Fire protection-compliant equipment concepts for escape and rescue routes
In areas with large gatherings of people, special requirements are placed on fire protection, in particular to prevent the spread of fire and smoke and to enable people and animals to be rescued. Public areas such as foyers, waiting or transit areas in public authorities, educational institutions, daycare centers, leisure facilities such as museums or even hospitals are subject to state-specific fire protection requirements. Apartment buildings or commercial properties also require extensive precautions to protect people and animals.
In most cases, these areas are also designated as escape and rescue routes. A fire protection-compliant furnishing concept is therefore required for these publicly used rooms to ensure that the interior complies with fire prevention guidelines. This applies to both the furniture and the planned media technology in the room. Fire load-optimized materials and installed components must be taken into account for both fire protection monitors and furniture.
Fire protection certification: assessment of potential fire load and fire risk in the event of a fire from the outside and inside
External fire protection
In order to assess the use in buildings, external fire protection considers the risk to escape and rescue routes (risk to people), the increased risk of fire development in the presence of large quantities of flammable substances or special ignition sources (fire development risk) and the increased risk of fire and smoke spreading in large rooms and sensitive areas (fire spread risk).
In addition, the influence of building materials and components (building material behavior, flammability) on fire behavior such as flame spread and heat development – which is reflected in the classification into different fire protection classes – is included in the consideration. The building regulations of the federal states (LBO) as well as special building regulations and guidelines then specify which building material classes (national classification according to DIN 4102-1/European classification according to EN 13501-1) may be used in sensitive areas, for example.
In the event of an external fire, for example a fire flashover from a fire source to an electrical device such as a display, the device itself is not the source of ignition but contributes to the spread of fire and smoke due to flammable components. This may ignite other flammable materials and objects, such as wood paneling in the entrance to the house.
Conclusion No. 1: When purchasing media technology, attention should be paid to fire load-optimized monitors that have the lowest possible fire load and are tested and certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 1716:2010-11, DIN EN 13823 and DIN EN 13501.
Interior fire protection
The term “internal fire” is used when the appliance itself causes the fire and is the source of ignition, for example due to overheating or a short circuit.
In contrast to external fire protection, until recently there was no uniform nationwide standard or requirement for device-integrated fire protection. Depending on the device and extinguishing system, different test methods have been developed in the past. Now that the new VdS Guideline 6024 is available, it is possible for the first time for fire safety officers and building authorities to assess the installation of media technology in sensitive areas such as escape and rescue routes on the basis of a uniform nationwide standard.
The VdS leaflet “Fire protection of electrical devices in sensitive areas” describes, among other things, the requirements for a device-integrated fire protection system to prevent the spread of fire in the event of a defect in the device.
Conclusion no. 2: According to the VdS 6024 guideline, media technology tenders can be issued and submitted offers can then be evaluated accordingly. Fire protection displays should therefore have a device-integrated fire protection system in accordance with VdS 6024 in order to be used in sensitive areas.
An ideal combination for interior design: fire load optimized monitors and fire protection furniture made of concrete
Modern and timeless, while complying with strict fire safety regulations, furniture made of concrete has now become established as a building material. Depending on the manufacturing process, individual seating furniture can be created, even tailored to the corporate design.
Here are some examples from efecto GmbH.
