Passive fire protection aims to avoid the start and spread of fire to prevent damage to the building, ensuring safe evacuation so the fire brigade can do its job safely.
Passive fire protection products must comply with current regulations and pass stringent tests in accredited laboratories.
The following standards have been added to the Spanish fire protection legislation:
- Technical Building Code (CTE, its acronym in Spanish). Royal Decree 314/06
- Fire Safety Regulations for Industrial Buildings (RSCIEI). Royal Decree 2267/04
- CE marked
- All products must meet the UNE-EN standards and Eurocodes that guarantee compliance with applicable legislation, based on results obtained in authorised laboratories and correct application.
These requirements for the use of fire resistant glazing has led to the creation of Euroclasses — fire resistance ratings — that fall into three categories:
- CLASS EI: the highest level of performance with protection against flames, fumes, gases and above all, total thermal insulation against radiant heat for a certain period of time (30-180 minutes).
- CLASS EW: provides integrity performance against flames, fumes and gases while reducing thermal radiation.
- CLASS E: provides integrity performance against flames, fumes and gases, remaining transparent during the fire, without reducing thermal radiation.