Within the context of preventive fire insulation, plastic drains with vertical outlets are regarded as pipe / ceiling feedthroughs which require sealing off. This is because if a fire breaks out, flames, smoke and heat can spread very quickly via the wastewater pipes and set fire to further floors of a building. The same applies to flat roofs. In this case, the fire can jump to the roof via the roof drains. In order to prevent this, it must be possible to professionally seal all feedthroughs of this type in compliance with the pertinent standards.
More on the subject of fire insulation: Fire insulation for floor drains and fire insulation for roof drains
The minimum requirements for fire insulation for pipe systems are documented in the construction ordinances, Technical Construction Rules and the Administrative Regulations for Technical Construction Rules of the individual federal states.
Current models published by ARGEBAU as the basis for introductions into construction law in the federal states:
Note: Given that the model guidelines are regularly revised, the current version must always be applied.
Preventive fire insulation when installing floor drains in ceilings with requirements for the fire resistance duration
According to the construction requirements of the Model Building Code MBO §14 "Fire insulation" and the respective definitions of the "fire insulation paragraphs" in the introduced Regional Building Codes for construction, floor drains must be arranged, modified and maintained as a component of the drain pipes so that the outbreak of fire and spread of fire and smoke is prevented, and it is possible to rescue people and animals and carry out effective extinguishing work in case of fire.
Important note: MBO § 14 - Fire insulation
Physical structures must be arranged, erected, modified and maintained so that the outbreak of fire and spread of fire and smoke is prevented, and it is possible to rescue people and animals and carry out effective extinguishing work in case of fire.
Floor, ceiling and roof drains are always the starting point of any drainage system and are considered an integral part of such a system according to DIN EN 12056 and DIN 1986-100. For that reason, they must also comply with the requirements of the Conduit Systems Directive.
Drainage systems must be planned and implemented so that reliable protection is provided against:
In buildings where pipes need to be fed through walls and ceilings that are subject to special requirements in terms of fire resistance, special measures are required according to national and international regulations.
After completion of a fire trial by an authorised testing institute (e.g. MPA-NRW etc.), the material must be assigned to the respective material class and its usability verifiably documented by an abP, abZ or aBG.
When it comes to the fire resistance duration the minimum duration is determined for which the component performs its function when exposed to fire according to DIN 4102-2.
Physical structures and their systems and equipment, in particular when taking into account:
In principle, fire testing based on DIN 4101-1, carried out by an accredited and state-approved material testing centre / a material testing department, is mandatory for classified bushings in R 30 to R 120 quality. Certification of suitability is provided:
The fire testing is used to certify the maximum permitted surface temperature increase on the side facing the fire. This limitation prevents the spread of secondary fires in case of an outbreak of fire.
On the basis of approvals and test certificates, the planner does not need to define additional constructional measures when using classified bushings for fire resistance classes from R 30 to R 120. This guarantees absolute planning certainty, in particular when it comes to the interfaces of the bushing to the building structure.
Wastewater, rain drainage, floor drains and roof drains
The Conference of Ministers of Construction (ARGEBAU) published the model directive on fire insulation requirements for pipe systems (Model Conduit Systems Directive (MLAR)), issue date 5 April 2016. The MLAR explains how to achieve the safety objectives specified by the Regional Building Code.
Floor drains are construction products which are regulated by European standards and therefore require no further approval for their function. As soon as floor drains contain mechanisms for preventive fire insulation, these floor drains require a General Building Approval (abZ) or a General Design Certificate (aBG), depending on design. When it comes to floor drains after the "relaxations" of the MLAR, adherence to all framework conditions is very difficult and complex. Installation inspection and acceptance is simpler for classified R 30 to R 120 floor drains.
Note: Floor drains are a component of the wastewater system according to DIN EN 12056. For this reason, the identical requirements for sealing off apply as for line feedthroughs. Special mention in the MLAR/LAR is thus not required
Installation after relaxations
in F 30/60/90 solid ceilings according to MLAR/LAR, section 4.3
Installation in F 30/60/90/120 solid ceilings with abZ/aBG
(General Building Approval/General Design Certificate)
Note: In the case of approved fire insulation systems for floor drains, it is ensured that the temperature increase on the pipe and insulating material surfaces on the side facing away from the fire will not be greater than 180 K in any single measuring point or 140 K as the average value. This reliably prevents secondary fires.
Whenever a pipe bushing is installed, the company implementing it has a duty to inform the client in writing that the pipe bushing only offers effective fire insulation when the trap insert of the drain is filled with water. All pipe bushings must be marked underneath the ceiling feedthrough with a fire safety label in the immediate vicinity of the installation. The marking must be clearly visible.
In accordance with the General Building Approval (abZ) or the General Design Certificate (aBG), the installation technician is supplied with a "Declaration of compliance" form and an information sign with each fire insulating structural element.
With this declaration of compliance, the company that manufactures the pipe bushing confirms that their pipe bushing complies with the provisions of the usability certification (abP/abZ/aBG). This declaration must be submitted to the client or site manager and added to the construction file.
CERTIFICATE | Bushing with abZ/aBG | Bushing with abP | Feedthrough after "relaxations" |
---|---|---|---|
A) Fire safety label / type plate |
o |
– |
– |
B) Declaration of compliance and copy of usability certification |
1x per type and project |
1x per type and project |
– |
C) Specialist company certification |
– |
– |
o (recommendation) |
Who is liable for fire insulation?
In particular: What is the liability situation in the case of what are referred to as fire safety valves and in case they are lost?
The client / building operator is liable for approved operation, including maintenance, cleaning and the provision of a water trap, from the day of acceptance, e.g. according to VOB-B, § 13 = reverse onus
Deviations in case of General Building Regulation Approval (abZ) or General Design Certificate (aBG)
Deviations from usability certification (abZ/abP/aBG)
When it comes to deviations from the usability certification a distinction is made as follows:
Model Building Code
Is published by the committee of ministers and senators of the 16 federal states responsible for urban development, construction housing (ARGEBAU).
Regional Building Code
The Regional Building Codes (LBO) of the federal states regulate the requirements which have to be adhered to for the building project. All Regional Building Codes are based on the Model Building Code.
Model Conduit Systems Directive, issued by the ARGEBAU, published by the German Institute for Construction Engineering (DIBt)
The MLAR explains how to achieve the (fire) safety targets specified by the Model Building Code. It serves as a guideline for the planning and installation of conduits and drains for preventive fire insulation. The LAR is the issue announced as construction legislation in the respective federal state. The LAR describes the requirements of conduits, including fastenings and insulating materials, in conjunction with installation in emergency escape routes. The LAR aims to improve preventative fire insulation in conduit systems and help all involved to erect buildings to an appropriate and compatible safety standard. The LAR defines the execution principles for the penetration of a vertical pipe or a floor / roof drain through a fire-resistant wall or ceiling. The wall and / or ceiling feedthroughs then have to be implemented in conjunction with national certification of suitability for use (abZ/abP/aBG) in R 30/60/90/120 quality.
Model Administrative Regulation for Technical Construction Rules (MVV TB)
MVV TB represents an important addition to the Regional Building Codes (LBO). The Regional Building Codes regulate planning, dimensioning and implementation of structures and the use of construction products. They also formulate general requirements which are put into concrete terms by MVV TB and clarified with reference to the valid technical rules.
Floor, ceiling and roof drains are always the starting point of any drainage system and are considered an integral part of such a system according to DIN EN 12056 and DIN 1986-100. For that reason, they must also comply with the requirements of the Conduit Systems Directive.
This standard refers to gravity drainage within buildings and specifications, including how drainage systems are to be planned and installed in order to ensure reliable protection against the spreading of fires. In buildings where pipes need to be fed through walls and ceilings that are subject to special requirements in terms of fire resistance, special measures are required according to national and international regulations.
This standard refers to the fire behaviour of components and materials. It defines the fire resistance classes of materials to be used in house technology and how the components and materials are to be tested.
European standard for the fire behaviour classification of building products and building elements. It serves a similar purpose at European level to DIN 4102 at German level.
Construction Tendering and Contract Regulations
The VOB is processed by the German Tendering and Contract Committee and regulates the tendering and contract conditions for construction jobs. It comprises three parts:
Fire insulation includes all measures that contribute towards the prevention and control of fires. Because this is a broad and complex field, different types of fire insulation are divided into the following categories:
According to DIN 4102 and DIN EN 13501, building products are divided into different classes, depending on how long they retain their functionality when exposed to heat.
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Dated: November 2020
Drainage by design.
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Dallmer Ltd.
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Dallmer Ltd.
c/o Dallmer GmbH + Co. KG
Wiebelsheidestrasse 25
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Germany
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Dallmer Ltd.
c/o Seago and Stopps Limited
61 Station Road
Sudbury, Suffolk CO 10 2 SP
United Kingdom
Co. Reg. No.:
Dallmer Ltd.
c/o Dallmer GmbH + Co. KG
Wiebelsheidestrasse 25
59757 Arnsberg
Germany
slsdllmrcm
ccntsdllmrcm
dallmer.com