Key functions of fire doors and windows

Fire safety is a key consideration during the construction phase of any building, both for legal reasons and for the comfort of the prospective occupants. Why are fire doors and windows important? What should you look out for to choose the right ones?

European fire classification

As climate change progresses, accompanied by temperatures rising at a record pace, the number of fires in Europe is only expected to increase. In response to the alarming estimates, the European Union is tightening its legislation and introducing more stringent fire safety standards for buildings.

These are currently based on the European fire protection standard EN 13501, which establishes a European fire classification. Seven main classes are distinguished: A1, A2, B, C, D, E and F. The safest construction products in terms of fire risk are classified as class A1, while class F products are those that can lead to rapid fire propagation with a sudden rise in temperature.

Some additional designations can also be found on building products: ‘s’ and ‘d’. The former designation refers to a product that produces intense smoke, while the latter indicates a product characterised by the formation of flaming droplets or waste that can carry the fire to another place.

Press Glass HQ, Konopiska, Poland. Systems used: MB-78EI, MB-86 SI, MB-SR50N IW.

Fire safety standards in Austria

Austria’s fire safety ranks among the best in the world. As in other European countries, its system is based on a number of European standards, including the above-mentioned EN 13501, which classifies building products based on their fire behaviour and duration of fire resistance.

But this is not all. Alongside European regulations, Austria also has its own fire safety standards, which place even higher requirements on building structures. These are largely special marking systems developed by the Austrian Institute of Structural Engineering. Why is there so much focus on fire safety?

The answer is mostly statistics, which are not very optimistic for Austria. The number of fire incidents in the country is increasing significantly. This is not only due to the advancing climate change. Natural factors also play a role. The highest fire risk in Austria is seen in the south of the country, in the mountainous region of the Alps, which complicates a quick and effective emergency response. Another factor is the rapid congestion of urban centres. While there is not always a way to stop this process, its negative effects can be mitigated by investing in the right fire protection solutions.

Functions of fire doors and windows

Having the right fire protection systems and solutions in place is always an investment that pays off. Why are they so vital? What are fire doors and windows and what functions do they serve in a building?

Above all, fire doors are remarkable for their high strength and temperature resistance, which is considerably higher than that of normal doors.

‘The main purpose of doors with an adequate fire resistance rating is to stop the spread of fire for a specified period of time. They should also limit the transfer of heat as much as possible and, when fitted with a threshold and trim, they can also limit or slow down the spread of smoke’, explains Rafael Altheim, Managing Director at Aluprof Deutschland.

The primary function of fire doors and windows is to separate fire zones from each other and to create a barrier against fire as well as dangerous temperatures and toxic smoke. This facilitates efficient evacuation and reduces damage to the building. The windows are also of vital importance. With special seals that swell when exposed to heat, they provide additional sealing and slow down the spread of smoke and fire.

‘All these elements ensure that the building’s occupants have enough extra time to evacuate, which reduces the risk of tragic consequences of a fire’, adds the Aluprof expert.

Sara Kulturhus, Skellefteå, Sweden. Systems used: MB-SR50N, MB-86 SI, MB-SR50N OW.

Which fire doors and windows should you choose?

There is an extensive range of doors and windows currently on offer in the building materials market. How can you choose those that guarantee genuinely high standards?

When shopping around for specific models, there are several important factors to look out for, such as durability, stability, specific fire tightness or automatic locking. Crucially, all fire doors and windows must be certified for their fire resistance and safety, including in everyday use. While obtaining the relevant certificate is rather challenging, as it requires manufacturers to perform periodic tests and audits, it provides assurance of adequate product quality.

Aluprof, a manufacturer of such elements for mounting in aluminium frames, has extensive experience in the manufacture of fire doors and windows. One such product in the brand’s portfolio is the MB-78EI barrier system.

‘Due to its characteristics, optimised technology and production costs, and consistent technical development, the MB-78EI system is one of the most popular and sought-after products in its class. This system’s unique value also lies in the possibility to bend the sections to produce a variety of curved structures, which means that it can be used even in the most non-standard buildings’, explains Rafael Altheim.

The MB-86EI and MB-60E-EI systems as well as other windows, doors and fire partitions in the brand’s portfolio have similar properties. All are certified for their properties, and are also distinguished by their superior aesthetic qualities, which is especially important in office spaces, hotels, restaurants and other facilities where they are most often used.

Let’s Build a Better Future

The modern construction industry is not only innovative, but above all it is committed to the highest safety standards. This is what modern fire safety solutions are for. According to the current standards, they not only align with the sustainability trend, but also help to better address the needs of building users and entire communities.