With fires, the development of smoke is often more threatening for persons in the immediate environment than the fire itself. The build-up of smoke can cause persons to become disoriented and even lost in a familiar and trusted environment.

In addition, the smoke during a fire is always toxic and causes respiratory problems, panic and a considerable reduction in the ability to function. In a situation in which every second counts, this can result in a life-threatening situation.

New requirements of the Dutch Environment and Planning Act

In order to reduce the number of victims of smoke development with fires, new requirements have been established in the Dutch Environment and Planning Act in regard to the spread of smoke in buildings.

The strict requirements of this Act pertain to the smoke resistance of compartments. Here, a distinction is made between cold smoke (environment temperature) and warm smoke (up to a maximum of 200 degrees Celsius). Which classification is required depends on the type of building and use.

Sleeping accommodation buildings

For buildings in which sleeping accommodations are present, such as hospitals, hotels and day care centres, the walls, doors and frames must be S200 certified. S200 stands for the smoke resistance of warm smoke up to 200 degrees Celsius.

Buildings without sleeping accommodations

In buildings that do not have sleeping accommodations, such as offices, for example, doors, walls and frames must be Sa certified. Sa classified walls are smoke resistant to cold smoke.

Walls classified as smoke resistant

Before walls and doors can be designated at smoke resistant, they must be tested by an independent inspection institute that is accredited by the government. The tests of smoke permeability must be carried out in accordance with the EN 1634-3 standard. The result of the test determines which classification the walls and wall parts fall under. The results of the test are established in an inspection report that evidences the achieved performance. A wall that is tested on smoke permeability or smoke resistance can be classified as S200 or Sa.

Sa classification
A wall that is Sa classified means that it and its accompanying elements fulfil the standards for smoke permeability of smoke of environment temperature, also referred to as cold smoke.

S200 Classification

A wall that is S200 classified means that it and its accompanying elements fulfil the standards for smoke permeability of smoke of a high temperature of a maximum of 200 degrees Celsius, also referred to as warm smoke.

When a wall meets the requirements for S200 classification, it is also Sa certified.

Certified smoke resistant glass walls

QbiQ offers a complete range of Sa and S200 certified walls. These smoke resistant glass walls are part of the iQ PROTECT range which consists of several safety walls. This includes fire-resistant sliding glass doors and impact-resistant walls.

iQ PROTECT Smoke Sa
iQ PROTECT Smoke Sa glass walls are suitable for placement where Sa Classification is required. This applies to buildings without sleeping accommodations, such as offices. Here, it is assumed that it concerns the temperature of the environment, or cold smoke.

The fully transparent glass walls meet the latest, strictest requirements that have been established for the smoke resistance of walls and doors in utility buildings. iQ PROTECT Smoke Sa walls have an all-around profile of only 33 mm in view. Vertical jambs in smoke resistant wall systems are not required which results in the high degree of transparency.

The iQ PROTECT Smoke Sa can be equipped with aluminium frame doors with single or double joints. These door and frames can also be certified, of course.

iQ PROTECT Smoke S200

iQ PROTECT Smoke S200 glass walls are suitable for placement where S200 Classification is required. These largely include buildings with sleeping accommodations, such as hospitals, hotels  and day care centres. Here, a smoke resistance with a high temperature of a maximum of 200 degrees Celsius is assumed, also referred to as warm smoke.

iQ PROTECT Smoke S200 can be produced in various levels of glass thickness. By applying thicker glass, perhaps also equipped with an acoustic film between the glass, the sound insulation values are considerably increased. Where extra-high glass walls are requested, thicker glass ensures extra stability and strength in the smoke-resistant glass wall.

The iQ PROTECT Smoke Sa has a profile height of 33 mm and can also be equipped with aluminium frame doors with single or double joints. It goes without saying that these door and frames can also be certified, of course.

Sa and S200
All of the walls in the QbiQ iQ PROTECT Smoke range can be produced with different types of smoke-resistant doors and accompanying frames. You can choose from various aluminium frame doors and HPL doors with both single and double joints.

To prevent the spread of smoke under the doors, all Sa and S200 certified doors are equipped with a drop seal.

These door and frames can also be Sa or S200 certified, of course.

Synergy with 33 mm profile height

The QbiQ wall systems are distinguished by the aluminium profile that has an all-around height of only 33 mm in view. On the floor, the ceiling and on the walls, the profile is 33 mm. With the exception of a few walls from the iQ PROTECT Fire series, this has been consistently implemented in all QbiQ wall systems. This ensures that various types of QbiQ (glass) walls can be combined perfectly with an optimal synergy. Whether it concerns corner or T-connections, all walls together form one whole. Also when two different types of walls meet one another.