Adapting Kharkiv Building Projects to Ukrainian DBN B.2.2 Fire Safety Standards
Kharkiv’s ongoing reconstruction and new development projects must adhere strictly to the fire resistance classifications outlined in DBN B.2.2-2006 and DBN V.1.1-7-2016. These regulations define compartmentation requirements, evacuation corridor widths, and the fire resistance duration for separating elements. Antifires addresses these requirements by integrating local compliance parameters into every fire rated glass and door system specification.
The core technical challenge lies in matching the correct fire performance rating to the building’s functional zone. For example, stairwell enclosures and lift lobbies in high-rise residential towers typically require EI 60 or EI 120 insulation-rated assemblies to prevent heat transfer and maintain tenable escape routes. Antifires achieves this through multi-layer composite glass structures, such as the 28mm EI60 panel (6mm + 5.5mm gel + 5mm + 5.5mm gel + 6mm), which provides verified integrity of 66 minutes and insulation of 64 minutes. For projects requiring higher thermal performance, the 50mm EI120 system delivers both integrity and insulation for up to 120 minutes.
Key integration points for Kharkiv projects include:
- Frame and sealant compatibility: G.M.S. hollow steel sections with 3mm–6mm ceramic wool (density 210 kg/m³) ensure thermal barrier continuity.
- Expansion gap management: A 3mm–5mm gap filled with ceramic fiber accommodates structural movement during fire exposure.
- Anchoring systems: M6/M8 bolts at 300–600mm spacing secure the assembly to concrete or steel substructures.
These engineering details allow Kharkiv’s design teams to meet local fire codes while maintaining architectural transparency.
Selecting Fire Rated Glass Grades for Kharkiv’s Climate and Industrial Environment
Kharkiv’s climate—characterized by cold winters, high humidity, and industrial pollution—places additional demands on fire rated glazing systems beyond standard fire testing. For high-rise residential and administrative buildings, Antifires provides solutions that maintain EI 30 to EI 120 ratings while resisting thermal stress, condensation, and particulate ingress. The selection process involves evaluating both the required fire resistance duration and the environmental exposure class of the installation site.
For evacuation routes and fire compartments in Kharkiv’s administrative towers, the 26mm door glass (5mm + 5.5mm gel + 5mm + 5.5mm gel + 5mm) offers a balance of structural robustness and thermal performance, delivering integrity for 89–90 minutes and insulation for 68 minutes. In industrial zones or transport hubs where larger glazed spans are required, the 21mm FPOS multi-layer composite glass provides integrity for 120 minutes and insulation for 30 minutes, sufficient for compartmentation in non-residential settings.
Critical selection criteria for Kharkiv’s environment include:
- Thermal cycling resistance: Multi-layer tempered glass with intumescent gel layers reduces the risk of spontaneous breakage due to temperature swings.
- Seal integrity: Ceramic tape and intumescent fire seals (20mm × 4mm) prevent moisture ingress and maintain fire performance over time.
- Radiation control (W): For corridors adjacent to high-occupancy areas, EW120 rated systems limit radiant heat transmission, protecting evacuees.
By matching the glass composition to both the fire rating and the local climate, Antifires ensures long-term reliability for Kharkiv’s diverse building stock.
Integrating Fire Rated Systems in Kharkiv’s Transport Hubs and Educational Facilities
Kharkiv’s transport hubs (railway stations, metro interchanges) and educational facilities (universities, schools) present unique fire safety challenges due to high occupant density and complex evacuation geometries. These spaces require glazed systems that maintain compartmentation integrity while allowing natural light and visual connectivity. Antifires provides certified fire partition solutions that meet the specific performance criteria for these public assembly environments.
For transport terminals, where large glazed facades and internal partitions must resist fire spread for extended periods, the 50mm EI120 ultra-high-performance glass is specified. This multi-layer insulated structure delivers both integrity and insulation for 120 minutes, aligning with the DBN V.1.1-7-2016 requirement for fire compartments in buildings with more than 10 above-ground floors. In educational settings, where evacuation routes must remain smoke-free and tenable for longer durations, the 15mm FPOS system (integrity up to 132 minutes, insulation 33–34 minutes) provides a cost-effective solution for corridor and stairwell enclosures.
Installation considerations for these facilities include:
- Structural deflection accommodation: During fire tests, maximum deflection toward the furnace ranged from 38mm to 152mm; frames must be designed to absorb this movement without compromising glass retention.
- Thermocouple monitoring: Unexposed surface temperatures are monitored with 10–55 thermocouples to verify insulation performance per BS EN 1364-1.
- Fire-rated insulation board: 12mm–15mm boards behind steel frames prevent heat transfer through structural elements.
These technical measures ensure that Kharkiv’s public buildings maintain operational safety without sacrificing architectural openness.
Why Kharkiv Engineers Trust Antifires for Certified Fire Protection Products
Kharkiv’s engineering and construction professionals trust Antifires for fire protection products because of the company’s unwavering commitment to certified, test-verified performance. Every glazed assembly is manufactured using precise multi-layer compositions—such as the 10mm FPOS (3mm float + 4mm fire gel + 3mm float) or the 28mm EI60 panel—that have undergone rigorous testing under BS 476 Part 22 and BS EN 1634-1 protocols. This ensures that the fire resistance ratings quoted in specifications are backed by documented furnace test data, not theoretical calculations.
The company’s technical support extends beyond product supply. For Kharkiv reconstruction projects, Antifires provides certified fire test reports, detailed installation drawings, and guidance on integrating fire rated windows into existing structural frames. All systems are designed with standardized components—G.M.S. hollow steel frames, ceramic wool (3mm–6mm, density 210 kg/m³), and intumescent seals—that simplify on-site assembly and reduce installation errors.
Additional trust factors include:
- Global standard alignment: Products comply with ASTM E119, AS1530.4, and European EN standards, facilitating international project acceptance.
- Documented failure modes: Test reports detail behaviors such as surface glass cracking at 2–4 minutes and inner layer fall-off at 2–6 minutes, providing realistic performance expectations.
- Long-term reliability: Intumescent gel layers remain stable under normal environmental conditions, activating only when exposed to fire temperatures.
This combination of certified data, practical engineering support, and global compliance makes Antifires the preferred partner for Kharkiv’s most demanding fire safety projects.
