When renovating an existing building in the Netherlands, fire safety requirements from the Dutch Building Decree (BBL — Besluit Bouwwerken Leefomgeving) apply, but the scope of what must be upgraded depends on the nature and scale of the renovation, not on a blanket rule. A partial refurbishment does not automatically trigger a full fire safety overhaul, though certain interventions — particularly a change of use — can significantly raise the bar. The sections below address the most common questions architects face when navigating fire safety compliance in renovation projects.
What fire safety standards apply to existing buildings under renovation?
Existing buildings in the Netherlands are governed by the BBL’s requirements for the existing stock, which set a lower baseline than those for new construction. When a renovation is submitted as a building permit application, the BBL assesses whether the proposed work constitutes a change that triggers the new-build standard — or whether the existing-building standard continues to apply. The determining factors are the extent of the structural intervention and whether the building’s use classification changes.
For most partial renovations — replacing cladding, upgrading installations, or refitting interiors without altering the structural fire compartmentation — the existing-building provisions apply. This means the minimum fire resistance requirements are less stringent than those for a comparable new building. It is important to understand that the BBL sets only the absolute minimum floor; it does not prescribe a fixed classification for a given building type. Project-specific fire safety calculations, sector regulations such as PGS15 for hazardous substances storage, or insurer requirements may impose significantly heavier demands on top of the statutory minimum.
Architects working on industrial or logistics facilities should coordinate with the project’s fire safety engineer early in the design phase. A fire safety calculation specific to the building’s layout, occupancy, and use is the only reliable way to determine which fire resistance classifications apply to each opening. General assumptions based on building type alone are not a substitute for that calculation.
Does a renovation always require upgrading fire-rated doors?
No, a renovation does not automatically require upgrading existing fire-rated doors. Whether replacement or upgrading is necessary depends on whether the existing doors still meet the applicable standard for the building as it will be used after the renovation, and whether the renovation work directly affects the fire compartmentation in which those doors function.
If the renovation leaves the fire compartment boundaries intact and does not change the building’s use classification, existing certified doors that remain in serviceable condition and meet the current minimum standard for existing buildings are generally not required to be replaced. However, if the renovation involves breaking through compartment walls, enlarging openings, or altering the layout of escape routes, any new or modified fire separation must comply with the standard applicable to the intervention — which may be the new-build standard.
In practice, architects specifying fire doors for a renovation project should verify two things: first, whether the existing doors carry current CE certification and traceable classification reports; and second, whether the fire resistance class those doors were tested to still satisfies the requirement for the post-renovation situation. If documentation is missing or the classification is no longer adequate, replacement with fully documented, independently tested products is the appropriate course of action. Metacon-Next’s fire-rated industrial doors are available with complete classification reports and CE declarations, which simplifies this verification process for architects closing a permit file.
What is the difference between EI1, EI2, and EW classifications in a renovation context?
EI1, EI2, and EW are distinct fire resistance classifications defined under EN 13501-2, each reflecting a different level of performance. Understanding what each criterion means is essential for correct specification.
EW — the door blocks flames and hot gases (integrity, E) and limits radiant heat transfer through the door (W). EW60 is the Dutch standard baseline classification for industrial fire doors: it means the door provides these protections for 60 minutes. It is not a lesser or provisional classification — it is the standard starting point in the Netherlands.
EI2 — in addition to integrity and radiation reduction, the door limits the temperature rise on the unexposed face to within a defined threshold. EI2 applies a less strict insulation criterion: a higher temperature rise on the unexposed side is permitted compared to EI1.
EI1 — the same insulation criterion as EI2 but measured to a stricter standard, meaning a lower temperature rise on the unexposed side is permitted. EI1 is the more demanding of the two insulation classes. EI1 and EI2 are not interchangeable — they must always be specified explicitly. Never write “EI” alone without stating whether it is EI1 or EI2.
In a renovation context, the distinction matters because specifying the wrong classification can create two problems: over-specification, which increases cost unnecessarily, or under-specification, which leaves a gap in the fire compartmentation that will be identified during a permit review or fire safety inspection. Neither outcome is acceptable when professional liability is attached to the specification.
The correct classification for a specific opening is determined by the fire safety calculation for that project, not by a rule of thumb. An opening in a compartment wall separating a production hall from an office area may require a different classification than one separating two production zones, depending on the fire load, occupancy, and evacuation strategy. Always consult a qualified fire safety engineer or contact Metacon-Next directly to determine which classification applies to a given situation.
How does a change of use affect fire safety requirements?
A change of use is one of the most significant triggers for elevated fire safety requirements in an existing building. When a building’s use classification changes — for example, from storage to production, or from production to a function with public access — the BBL treats the affected areas as if they were subject to the new-build standard for that use. This can require substantial upgrades to fire compartmentation, means of escape, and the fire resistance classification of doors and other separating elements.
The impact is not limited to the area directly changing use. If the change alters the fire risk profile of adjacent compartments — for instance, by increasing the fire load or changing the occupancy pattern — the fire safety engineer may determine that the entire compartmentation strategy needs to be reassessed. This is particularly relevant in industrial and logistics buildings, where a shift from one type of storage or production activity to another can change the applicable sector regulation entirely. For example, activities involving hazardous substances may bring the facility under PGS15, which can mandate a heavier fire classification than the BBL baseline.
For architects, a change of use in an existing building is a clear signal to commission a new fire safety calculation before finalising the specification. The calculation will identify which openings require new or upgraded fire-rated doors, what classification is needed, and whether any existing certified products can be retained. Attempting to carry forward the existing fire strategy without this step is a professional risk that no permit authority will overlook.
What documentation do architects need when specifying fire doors in a renovation?
When specifying fire-rated doors in a renovation project, architects need four categories of documentation to close a permit-ready design file: a CE declaration of performance, an independent classification report from a recognised test body, technical installation data, and — increasingly for BREEAM and LEED projects — an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
- CE declaration of performance: Confirms that the product meets the requirements of the relevant harmonised standard and carries the CE marking required for placement on the European market. For industrial fire doors, two CE-relevant standards apply simultaneously: EN 16034 (fire and/or smoke resisting closing element) and EN 13241 (industrial door, general). These are separate obligations and must not be treated as interchangeable.
- Classification report: The independently verified test result from a recognised body such as Efectis, stating the achieved fire resistance classification under EN 13501-2. This is the document that justifies the specified classification in a permit application. Always confirm whether the reported classification is EW, EI1, or EI2, and for how many minutes — for example, EW60, EI1-60, or EI2-120.
- Technical installation documentation: Dimensional data, installation tolerances, frame requirements, and hardware specifications. In a renovation, wall thicknesses and opening dimensions often deviate from standard, making this documentation critical for verifying that the tested configuration can be reproduced on site.
- EPD: An Environmental Product Declaration provides verified environmental impact data for the product across its full lifecycle, based on ISO 14044 and EN 15804. It is not an environmental label or sustainability award — it is an information document. For projects seeking BREEAM or LEED credits, the EPD must be available at specification stage, not sourced retrospectively. Metacon-Next published EPDs for 11 of its main product lines in 2025.
A recurring problem in renovation projects is that documentation is requested after the order is placed, by which point the permit process is already underway. Architects who specify products from manufacturers that publish their full documentation openly — classification reports, CE declarations, and EPDs available without a request — avoid this bottleneck entirely. Metacon-Next makes all technical documentation publicly available on its website, including EPDs added in 2025, which means architects can verify compliance at specification stage without waiting for a supplier response.
For renovation projects with non-standard opening dimensions — a common situation in older industrial buildings — it is also worth confirming at specification stage that the manufacturer can supply custom dimensions without voiding the classification. Standard test results apply to the tested configuration; deviations require confirmation from the manufacturer and, in some cases, additional engineering assessment. Working with a manufacturer that has an in-house R&D department and a broad certified product range reduces the risk of discovering late in the project that a required dimension falls outside what can be supplied with full documentation.
If you are working on a renovation project and need to verify classifications, obtain technical drawings, or confirm dimensional options, contact Metacon-Next directly or request a project quotation through the dealer network to get specification-ready information without delay.
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