Many factors play a decisive role in fire protection to ensure the safety of people in buildings. One important aspect is the fire load, which contributes significantly to the development and spread of fires. In this article, we look at the permissible fire load in escape routes and why it is so important.
What is meant by fire loads?
First of all, it is important to understand what is meant by the term "fire load" in the field of preventive fire protection. Fire load refers to the amount of combustible materials in a building or business that can catch fire in the event of a fire and contribute to the spread of fire. These materials can be diverse and range from furniture, textiles and paper to chemical substances and electronic devices.
Examples of fire loads are in:
- Office buildings: file folders, paper documents, furniture and all office equipment such as computers, printers and furniture
- Retail stores: stock, packaging materials, textiles or electronic devices
- Industrial plants: chemicals, production materials, machines, stocks
All of these materials can catch fire quickly in the event of a fire, accelerate the spread of fire, make evacuation more difficult and thus endanger the safety of people.
Consequently, the existing fire load in the building is also of decisive importance for the development of a fire.
Relevance of the fire load
The fire load is of crucial importance for the planning and design of buildings and for the development of fire protection measures. It influences the choice of building materials, the arrangement of escape routes and the positioning of fire protection equipment.
The fire load calculation is usually carried out in accordance with DIN 18230 and various calculation methods. The results of these calculations serve as a basis for the definition of safety standards and for the planning of fire protection and safety equipment.
Permissible fire load in escape routes
A particularly sensitive area in terms of fire load is the escape route. Escape routes must be as free as possible from obstacles and potential fire loads to ensure safe evacuation. Any flammable materials or objects located in escape routes can hinder evacuation and increase the danger for the people present.
Important: A low fire load generally leads to a lower fire intensity.
The permissible fire load in escape routes should therefore be checked regularly to ensure that the escape and rescue routes are passable in an emergency.
Good to know: Fire loads in escape and rescue routes that cause heavy smoke development - e.g. upholstered furniture - pose a particularly high risk. The same applies to fire loads in escape routes that additionally narrow them (e.g. chairs) or objects that keep fire doors open.
In addition, the fire load not only plays a role indoors, but also outdoors. Low fire loads on the building prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings.
Overall, minimizing fire loads in escape routes and throughout the building is of crucial importance for the safety of people in buildings. Strict compliance with fire safety regulations and regular inspection of fire loads in escape routes can minimize potential risks and ensure the safety of everyone involved.