Fire Protection

Fire resistance 

The fire resistance of a construction element is defined as its capacity to maintain its required load-bearing function for a determined period of time, and its integrity and thermal insulation under the terms specified in the corresponding standard test. The different fire behaviour characteristics mentioned are: 

• R: Load-bearing capacity, is the time during which the element maintains its mechanical resistance. 
• E: Integrity, is the time during which the element prevents the flames from spreading and the production of hot gases on the side not exposed to fire.
• I: Insulation is the time during which the element retains its thermal insulation function to avoid producing excessively high temperatures on the side not exposed to fire.

These capacities are combined based on the characteristics required for the construction unit. These letters are accompanied by the time during which the capacity is maintained, according to a scale of values included in Standard “EN 13501-2. Classification based on the fire resistance of construction materials and elements for building. Part 2: Classification using data obtained from fire resistance testing, excluding ventilation installations”  

Depending on whether protection elements are vertical, horizontal or structural, the established standard time scale based on Standard EN 13501-2 is 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 minutes.