Belgium Fire Rated Glass: Certified Solutions for NBN S 23-002 Compliance

Belgium's stringent fire safety regulations, governed by the Royal Decree on fire safety and the national standard NBN S 23-002, establish precise requirements for glass used in building enclosures. These standards mandate specific fire resistance durations—ranging from EI30 to EI120—for critical applications such as escape routes, fire compartmentation, and facade systems in high-rise residential towers and commercial complexes across Brussels, Antwerp, and Liège.

Antifires provides certified fire rated glass solutions that align with these localized performance criteria. The Belgian regulatory framework, particularly NBN S 21-208 (fire safety in buildings), requires that glazed assemblies maintain both integrity (E) and insulation (I) to prevent fire spread and limit heat transfer. For projects under the jurisdiction of the Brussels Fire Brigade (SIAMU/DBDM), third-party test reports from accredited laboratories such as Warringtonfire or Efectis are often mandatory for imported systems. Antifires meets these demands with documented compliance to BS EN 1634-1 and BS 476 Part 22, ensuring seamless approval for Belgian building control authorities.

For detailed guidance on standard application, refer to the official NBN S 23-002 documentation for glass in buildings. Antifires supports architects and contractors by providing localized engineering data, certified test reports, and declarations of performance (DoP) that directly address Belgium's unique climatic and regulatory conditions.

Belgian Fire Safety Standards for Glazed Building Enclosures Under NBN S 23-002

The Belgian standard NBN S 23-002 classifies fire-rated glazing based on integrity (E) and insulation (I) performance, with durations from 30 to 120 minutes. This standard is directly referenced by the Royal Decree on fire safety (NBN S 21-208), which applies to all new high-rise residential and commercial towers exceeding 25 meters in height. For escape routes and fire compartments, glazed assemblies must achieve at least EI30, while higher-risk zones in buildings like the Brussels-Capital Region's administrative towers often require EI60 or EI120.

Key requirements include:

  • Escape route glazing: Minimum EI30 for corridors and stairwell enclosures.
  • Fire compartment walls: EI60 for separating residential units in multi-story buildings.
  • Facade systems: EI120 for curtain walls in high-rise structures exceeding 50 meters.

Antifires offers fire partition solutions that meet these classifications, with certified performance data from tests conducted under BS EN 1364-1. The integration of intumescent gel layers and tempered glass ensures compliance with Belgian thermal and structural demands, particularly for projects requiring third-party verification by labs like Efectis.

Selecting Fire Rated Glass Integrity and Insulation Classes for Belgian Climate Conditions

Selecting the appropriate fire resistance class for glazed enclosures in Belgium requires consideration of local climatic conditions and performance-based design requirements. The Brussels-Capital Region often mandates EI60 for commercial partitions, while Antwerp's industrial zones may require EI120 for fire barriers in logistics facilities. Antifires provides systems that balance thermal insulation with structural integrity, using multi-layer glass compositions such as 28mm EI60 panels (6mm + 5.5mm gel + 5mm + 5.5mm gel + 6mm) and 50mm EI120 ultra-high-performance assemblies.

Critical selection factors include:

ClassTypical ApplicationGlass Structure
EI30Internal partitions in low-rise buildings10mm FPOS (3mm float + 4mm gel + 3mm float)
EI60Escape routes and residential compartments28mm multi-layer (6mm + gel layers + 6mm)
EI120High-rise facades and industrial barriers50mm insulated composite

For projects in Liège or Ghent, where humidity levels can reach 90% during testing, Antifires ensures that ceramic wool seals and intumescent fire seals maintain performance under Belgian climatic extremes. Fire door systems integrating these glass types provide reliable protection for both commercial and residential applications.

High-Rise Residential Glazing and Industrial Fire Barriers in Belgian Urban Centers

High-rise residential towers in Brussels and Antwerp require glazed enclosures that withstand fire exposure while maintaining aesthetic transparency. Antifires supplies EI60-rated glass for balcony doors and corridor partitions, using 26mm door glass (5mm + 5.5mm gel + 5mm + 5.5mm gel + 5mm) certified to BS EN 1634-1. These assemblies achieve integrity up to 90 minutes and insulation up to 68 minutes, ensuring compliance with Belgian compartmentation rules.

Industrial fire barriers in Liège's manufacturing zones demand higher performance. Antifires provides 50mm EI120 glazed panels for separating hazardous areas, with integrity and insulation both exceeding 120 minutes. Key installation features include:

  • Frame systems: G.M.S. hollow steel sections with 12mm fire-rated insulation boards.
  • Sealants: Ceramic wool (3mm–6mm, density 210 kg/m³) and intumescent strips (20mm × 4mm).
  • Anchoring: M6/M8 bolts at 300–600mm spacing for structural stability.

These systems support maximum deflection up to 152mm during fire testing, accommodating thermal expansion without failure. For Brussels-Capital Region projects, Antifires provides glass block solutions as alternative fire barriers for architectural features.

Antifires Localized Engineering Support and Belgian Certification Traceability

Antifires offers localized engineering support for Belgian projects, ensuring that all fire-rated glass systems meet NBN S 23-002 and EN 13501-2 certification requirements. Each product is accompanied by a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and third-party test reports from accredited labs such as Warringtonfire and Efectis. This documentation is essential for building control approval in Brussels, Antwerp, and Liège.

Key support services include:

  • Technical consultation: Selection of appropriate glass classes (EI30 to EI120) based on project-specific fire load and compartmentation needs.
  • Installation guidance: Detailed specifications for frame integration, sealant application (ceramic tape, intumescent strips), and expansion gap management (3mm–5mm).
  • Certification traceability: Full test data from BS 476 Part 22 and BS EN 1634-1 tests, including furnace pressure (±2Pa) and thermocouple monitoring (9–12 channels).

Antifires ensures that all glass systems—from 10mm FPOS (integrity 135 min, insulation 16 min) to 54mm EI120—are traceable to certified test results. For Brussels-Capital Region projects requiring SIAMU/DBDM approval, Antifires provides pre-verified documentation to streamline the compliance process. Fire partition systems are delivered with full engineering support, including on-site quality checks for anchor spacing and seal integrity.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, Antifires fire rated glass complies with the Belgian NBN S 23-002 standard for glass in buildings, which is referenced by the Royal Decree on fire safety (NBN S 21-208). All products are tested to BS EN 1634-1 and BS 476 Part 22, providing certified integrity (E) and insulation (I) performance from EI30 to EI120. For Brussels residential high-rises, Antifires supplies EI60-rated glazing (e.g., 28mm panels with 66 min integrity and 64 min insulation) that meets the Brussels Fire Brigade (SIAMU/DBDM) requirements. Third-party test reports from accredited labs like Warringtonfire are available for building control approval.

Typical lead time for EI60 fire rated glass panels delivered to an Antwerp construction site is 4 to 6 weeks from order confirmation. This includes production of multi-layer glass assemblies (e.g., 28mm EI60 panels with intumescent gel layers), quality assurance checks, and packaging for transport. Antifires coordinates with local logistics partners to ensure timely delivery for projects in Antwerp's port or residential zones. For urgent requirements, expedited production can be arranged with a lead time of 3 to 4 weeks, subject to material availability and certification documentation preparation.

Yes, Antifires provides both third-party test reports and a Declaration of Performance (DoP) for all fire rated glass systems. Test reports are issued by accredited laboratories such as Warringtonfire and Efectis, documenting compliance with BS EN 1634-1 and BS 476 Part 22. The DoP includes product specifications, fire resistance classifications (e.g., EI60, EI120), and traceability to certified test data. These documents satisfy Belgian building control requirements for projects in Brussels, Antwerp, and Liège, including those under SIAMU/DBDM jurisdiction. Antifires ensures all documentation is provided in English or French as needed for local approval processes.