building physics

BUILDING PHYSICS 32 FIRE PROTECTION Components must maintain their function in the event of a fire during the required period of time. The capacity of a component is dependent on the interaction of the individual layers such as the load-bearing structure, the insulating materials and the planking. Requirements for fire protection are defined, as described below, by means of fire resistance classes. Fire resistance of components In the event of a fire, the period during which a structure remains fire resistant is particularly important (see Figure 16). It is essentially determined by the interior cladding systems when there is a fire load on the inside. Gypsum boards contain crystal-bound water concentrations that serve as “firefighting water” in the event of a fire. The following points have to be considered in a detailed fire protection plan: • Planking facing away from the fire: ensuring the room partition • Insulation: contribution to fire resistance, especially temperature distribution • Load-bearing structure: preservation of the carrying capacity and minimisation of deformations caused by the temperature • Component joints: prevention of the spreading of the fire and avoidance of hollow space fires, room partition, smoke tightness Accordingly, the fire resistance of a structure is determined and specified for the entire assembly and not only for individual layers. The rating of components’ fire resistance is made according to EN 13501-2. In timber construction, commonly the following classes are used (see Figure 17): • R = carrying capacity • E = room partition • I = heat insulation Figure 16 – Fire test with direct flame treatment Figure 17 – Designations for the fire resistance according to ÖNORM 13501-2 (Teibinger and Matzinger, 2013) Carrying capacity R Room partition E Heat insulation I

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