The Importance and Organisation of Passive Fire Protection: The German Practices

André Gesellchen, Chief Editor, FeuerTrutz Network

The number of annual deaths from fires in Germany has fallen sharply over the past decades and is currently below 400 (for a population of approx. 80 million). This has been achieved, among other things, by the nationwide legal obligation to install smoke alarms in residential buildings.

But also, passive fire protection measures are an essential component of building safety in Germany, as they are designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke within a building. These measures include building materials and construction methods that have been tested and approved for their fire-resistant properties.

In Germany, the regulations for passive fire protection are outlined in the “Musterbauordnung” (MBO, updated in 2019), which is a model building code that is used (but individually adapted) by all of the 16 federal states. The MBO establishes the requirements for the design, construction, and operation of buildings in Germany, including those related to fire safety.

One of the key principles of passive fire protection in the MBO is compartmentation, which involves dividing a building into smaller compartments to contain the spread of fire and smoke. This is typically achieved through the use of fire-rated walls, floors, and doors, which are designed to resist the passage of fire and smoke for a specified period of time. These materials must meet specific fire resistance classifications, which are based on their ability to withstand fire exposure for a certain amount of time.

Another important aspect of passive fire protection is the use of fire-resistant materials in the construction of the building. This includes materials such as fire-resistant glass, which can help prevent the spread of fire and smoke while still allowing for natural light, and fire-retardant treated wood, which can reduce the risk of ignition.

The MBO also requires that buildings undergo regular inspections to ensure that they are in compliance with fire safety regulations. Inspections are typically conducted by local fire departments, who are responsible for enforcing fire safety regulations and ensuring that buildings are safe for occupancy.

Overall, the regulations for passive fire protection in Germany are designed to ensure that buildings are constructed and maintained in a way that minimizes the risk of fire and protects occupants in the event of a fire.

These regulations are based on sound engineering principles and are constantly being updated and improved to reflect the latest developments in fire safety technology and best practices.

Current trends and challenges in passive fire protection in Germany are:

• The increasing use of wood as a building material (also in high-rise buildings),

• Modular construction with a high degree of prefabrication,

• The lack of well-qualified specialists in planning, approval and construction,

• Changing fire hazards due to lithium-ion batteries

Legal regulations and standards cannot always keep pace with technological and social developments. However, the underlying protection goals of the MBO remain applicable.