Bergen Fire Safety Compliance: Adapting to Norwegian TEK17 and EN 13501 Standards
Navigating Bergen's building code requires a clear understanding of how fire-rated glazing integrates with the TEK17 performance criteria. The regulation mandates that fire-resistant assemblies, including glazed partitions and doors, achieve specific classes such as EI 30 (30 minutes of integrity and insulation) or EI 60 for higher-risk compartments. Antifires products are rigorously tested to EN 13501-2, a harmonized European standard that classifies construction products based on fire resistance. This testing ensures that the glass systems can withstand the thermal and mechanical stresses of a fire while preventing the passage of flames and excessive heat. For Bergen architects and specifiers, selecting products with verifiable third-party certification simplifies the approval process with local authorities. The use of fire-rated glass that meets both integrity and insulation requirements is particularly important for escape routes and stairwells, where maintaining tenable conditions is essential. Antifires provides comprehensive documentation linking each product to its test report, enabling smooth verification during plan review and on-site inspection.
Fire Rated Glass Selection for Bergen: EI and EW Classifications with U-Value Optimization
Selecting the correct fire-rated glass for a Bergen project involves balancing EI (Integrity and Insulation) and EW (Integrity and Radiation control) classifications with thermal performance requirements. Bergen's coastal environment, characterized by high humidity and salt-laden air, imposes additional durability demands on framing and sealing components. Antifires addresses this by incorporating marine-grade stainless steel hardware and intumescent seals that have been tested under conditions simulating Norwegian humidity cycles, exceeding the baseline requirements of NS 3910 for corrosion resistance. For example, a project requiring EI 60 glazing might utilize a 28mm multi-layer composite glass structure, which provides both fire resistance and improved thermal insulation (U-value). Conversely, an EW 60 classification may be suitable for internal partitions where radiant heat control is the primary concern, allowing for slightly thinner glass profiles. The table below summarizes key performance attributes for common glass configurations suitable for Bergen's climate:
| Glass Type |
Classification |
Key Feature |
Typical Application |
| 26mm Door Glass |
EI 60 |
High insulation (68 min) |
Fire doors in escape routes |
| 28mm EI60 Panel |
EI 60 |
Balanced integrity & insulation |
Partition walls in commercial buildings |
| 50mm/54mm Glass |
EI 120 |
Ultra-high performance |
High-rise compartmentation |
Bergen Building Applications: Fireproofing Historical Quaysides and Modern High-Rises
Bergen's architectural landscape presents unique challenges for fire protection, from preserving historical quayside structures (Bryggen) to designing modern high-rise towers. For heritage projects, Antifires provides fire rated glass windows that can be customized to replicate traditional sightlines while delivering modern fire resistance. These systems utilize thin-profile steel frames and ceramic wool seals, ensuring minimal visual intrusion while meeting TEK17 requirements. In new high-rise constructions, the focus shifts to compartmentation and smoke control. Here, EI 120 rated glass partitions, often using 50mm or 54mm multi-layer structures, are installed in lobby areas and stairwells to create robust fire barriers. The installation process for these systems in Bergen must account for the local climate; expansion gaps of 3–5mm are filled with ceramic fiber to accommodate thermal movement while maintaining the fire seal. Antifires provides detailed installation guidelines for each product, ensuring that contractors can achieve the certified performance on-site, whether working on a historic renovation or a contemporary commercial development.
Why Bergen Architects Choose Antifires: Certified Compliance and Local Technical Support
Bergen architects and specifiers choose Antifires for a combination of certified compliance and localized technical support. Every product is backed by third-party test reports to standards like EN 1634-1, providing the documentation required for TEK17 approval. Beyond certification, Antifires offers direct technical assistance to ensure that the selected fire partition solutions are correctly specified for the project's specific fire resistance requirements. This includes reviewing architectural drawings, advising on frame and sealant selection (e.g., G.M.S. hollow steel sections with intumescent seals), and providing installation manuals. For Bergen-based projects, the ability to access Norwegian-language documentation and consult with engineers familiar with local building practices streamlines the specification process. The reliability of Antifires products is further demonstrated by their performance under controlled test conditions, with systems achieving integrity durations of up to 135 minutes and insulation performance that exceeds standard requirements. This commitment to verified quality and project-specific support makes Antifires a trusted partner for fire safety in Bergen.