{"id":27418,"date":"2026-08-25T07:01:29","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T07:01:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metacon-next.com\/en\/?p=27418"},"modified":"2026-08-25T07:01:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T07:01:29","slug":"what-fire-compartmentation-rules-apply-to-a-healthcare-complex","status":"publish","type":"knowledge-base","link":"https:\/\/metacon-next.com\/en\/knowledge-base\/what-fire-compartmentation-rules-apply-to-a-healthcare-complex\/","title":{"rendered":"What fire compartmentation rules apply to a healthcare complex?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Healthcare complexes in the Netherlands are subject to fire compartmentation rules derived from the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl)<\/strong>, the Dutch Building Decree that came into force in 2024. Because healthcare buildings combine high occupant vulnerability with complex building layouts, the Bbl sets baseline compartmentation requirements that are frequently tightened further by project-specific fire safety calculations, sector regulations, and insurer requirements. The sections below work through the most important questions architects face when specifying fire doors and compartment boundaries in a healthcare setting.<\/p>\n

Which building regulations govern fire compartmentation in healthcare?<\/h2>\n

Fire compartmentation in Dutch healthcare complexes is governed primarily by the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl)<\/strong>, which replaced the older Bouwbesluit 2012. The Bbl sets minimum performance requirements for fire resistance and compartmentation based on building use class, occupancy, and floor area. For healthcare buildings, the relevant use class is typically gezondheidszorgfunctie<\/em>, which carries stricter baseline requirements than standard offices or industrial buildings because occupants may be unable to self-evacuate.<\/p>\n

The Bbl sets only the absolute minimum requirement and does not operate in isolation. Project-specific fire safety calculations, drawn up by a qualified fire safety engineer, frequently lead to requirements that exceed the Bbl minimum. In addition, sector-specific regulations \u2014 for example, PGS15 for chemical storage \u2014 and insurer requirements can impose further constraints. European standards, particularly EN 1634-1 for the testing of fire resistance of door assemblies, underpin the product-level compliance that gives architects the evidence base they need to justify their specifications.<\/p>\n

For renovation or change-of-use projects, the Bbl applies with some transitional provisions, but the principle remains the same: the building must meet the performance levels appropriate to its intended use. Architects working on existing healthcare buildings should not assume that legacy compartmentation solutions remain compliant after a significant alteration.<\/p>\n

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How are compartments defined in a healthcare complex?<\/h2>\n

A fire compartment in a healthcare complex is a bounded zone within the building designed to contain fire and smoke for a defined period, limiting spread to adjacent areas and protecting evacuation routes. The Bbl defines maximum compartment sizes and requires that compartment boundaries, including walls, floors, and openings, achieve a specified fire resistance duration. In healthcare buildings, compartments are typically smaller than in industrial or logistics settings because of the reduced capacity for rapid evacuation.<\/p>\n

In practice, compartment boundaries in a healthcare complex follow a combination of structural elements and purpose-built fire-resistant assemblies. Every opening in a compartment boundary \u2014 whether a doorway, service penetration, or corridor connection \u2014 must be closed with a certified fire-resistant product that matches the required resistance duration of the surrounding construction. A compartment boundary is only as strong as its weakest element, so an unprotected or under-specified opening negates the compartment entirely.<\/p>\n

Large healthcare complexes often include zones with different risk profiles: operating theatres, pharmacy storage, technical plant rooms, and general ward corridors may all require separate compartmentation strategies. The fire safety engineer’s report translates these risk profiles into specific performance requirements for each opening, which then become the architect’s specification criteria.<\/p>\n

What fire resistance classification is required for healthcare doors?<\/h2>\n

There is no single fixed fire resistance classification that applies to all doors in a healthcare complex. The required classification depends on the fire safety calculation for each specific opening, taking into account the compartment boundary it sits within, the occupancy on each side, and the evacuation strategy. The Bbl sets a minimum baseline, but project deviations, sector-specific regulations, client requirements, and insurer requirements regularly result in higher classifications being specified.<\/p>\n

Fire resistance classifications for door assemblies are defined under EN 13501-2. The most commonly specified classifications for healthcare door openings involve durations of 30, 60, or 90 minutes, though longer durations are not unusual in high-risk zones. It is essential to distinguish between classification types:<\/p>\n