{"id":27364,"date":"2026-07-25T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metacon-next.com\/en\/?p=27364"},"modified":"2026-08-04T07:21:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T07:21:19","slug":"when-is-fire-compartmentation-mandatory-in-a-new-building","status":"publish","type":"knowledge-base","link":"https:\/\/metacon-next.com\/en\/knowledge-base\/when-is-fire-compartmentation-mandatory-in-a-new-building\/","title":{"rendered":"When is fire compartmentation mandatory in a new building?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fire compartmentation is mandatory in a new building when the applicable building regulations require the structure to be divided into fire compartments that limit the spread of fire and smoke. In the Netherlands, this obligation is anchored in the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl)<\/strong>, which sets minimum requirements for nearly every new building type. The sections below unpack what those requirements mean in practice, which classifications apply, and how fire-rated doors fit into a compliant design.<\/p>\n

What does fire compartmentation actually require in a building?<\/h2>\n

Fire compartmentation requires that a building be divided into enclosed zones \u2014 fire compartments \u2014 bounded by construction elements that resist the spread of fire, heat, and smoke for a defined period. Each compartment boundary must achieve a specified fire resistance duration, expressed as a classification such as EW 30, EI1 60, or EI2 120, depending on the applicable standard and the specific function of that boundary.<\/p>\n

The underlying principle is containment: if a fire breaks out in one compartment, the boundary elements must hold long enough for occupants to evacuate and for emergency services to intervene before the fire crosses into an adjacent zone. This means walls, floors, ceilings, and any openings in those elements \u2014 including doors \u2014 must all meet the same performance standard. A compartment is only as strong as its weakest boundary element.<\/p>\n

For architects and specification writers, compartmentation is a design decision made at an early stage. The size and position of compartments, the required fire resistance class of each boundary, and the location of every penetration and opening must be resolved before a permit-ready drawing set can be submitted.<\/p>\n

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Which regulations make fire compartmentation mandatory in the Netherlands?<\/h2>\n

In the Netherlands, fire compartmentation requirements for new buildings are set by the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl)<\/strong>, which replaced the former Bouwbesluit in 2024. The Bbl defines the minimum fire resistance performance that compartment boundaries must achieve, expressed in terms of European classification standards. Compliance with the Bbl is a legal prerequisite for obtaining an environmental permit (omgevingsvergunning<\/em>).<\/p>\n

The Bbl sets absolute minimum thresholds only \u2014 those minimums are not always the ceiling. Project-specific fire safety calculations, sector-specific regulations such as PGS 15 for hazardous substances, insurer requirements, or client specifications can all impose stricter demands. A building that meets the Bbl minimum may still require a higher fire resistance class once all applicable requirements are assessed. The actual classification required for a specific project depends on the fire safety calculation for that building, not on a general rule \u2014 consult a qualified fire safety engineer or your local authority to determine what applies to your situation.<\/p>\n

European standards, particularly EN 1634-1 for fire resistance testing of door assemblies, provide the testing and classification framework that underpins CE certification. Dutch building law references these European standards, which means products must be tested and classified in accordance with EN 1634-1 to be legally placed on the Dutch market and specified in a permit application. Fire resistance results are classified per EN 13501-2, which produces the EW, EI1, and EI2 classification codes used throughout this article.<\/p>\n

What types of new buildings trigger compartmentation requirements?<\/h2>\n

Fire compartmentation requirements apply to virtually all new buildings in the Netherlands, but the specific obligations vary by building function and scale. Industrial buildings, logistics centres, production halls, healthcare complexes, and large commercial buildings are among the most commonly affected categories, particularly because of their size, occupancy, and the nature of the activities carried out within them.<\/p>\n

The Bbl distinguishes between building functions \u2014 such as industrial use, residential use, healthcare use, and storage use \u2014 and assigns different minimum requirements to each. For industrial and logistics buildings, compartment size limits and the required fire resistance of boundaries are directly linked to the building’s function class and the risk profile of the activities inside.<\/p>\n

Several factors determine whether and how compartmentation applies to a specific project:<\/p>\n