Fire protection in timber construction

RIGIPS develops efficient systems and solutions for dry interior construction, lightweight construction and timber construction. These are accompanied by continuous adjustments and improvements in terms of fire protection. Changes to building regulations are gradually being introduced, which leads to changes in the verification situation. As a responsible manufacturer and partner, we would like to inform you of these changes and ask you to take note of the following information.

The technical rules for issuing building supervision and applicability certificates can be found in the relevant technical building regulations (MVV TB, state-VV TB). Specifications for timber components with defined fire resistance can be found in ongoing numbers C3.21, C4.1 and C4.2 of the MVV TB. Changes were made to the 2021/1 version of the MVV TB, which subsequently became legally valid through the respective state-VV TB. These changes also affect the general building supervisory test certificates (abP) cited in the current "Planning and Building Timber Construction":

• Number C3.21 was deleted without replacement. Consequently, the option to issue an abP describing the K260 encapsulation criterion was eliminated.
• Numbers C4.1 and C4.2 were supplemented with the restriction "except those according to A2.2.1.4". This restriction affects components within the scope of the Model Timber Construction Directive (MHolzBauRL), which no longer allows for the issuance of an abP certificate for fire resistance classes greater than F30-B.

Fire test of a timber panel wall - view into the furnace, Photo: SAINT-GOBAIN RIGIPS GmbH

Due to the described changes to the MVV TB and their implementation in the state-VV TB, the legal basis for issuing general building supervisory test certificates has been significantly restricted, which is why, in particular, the applicability certificates for timber panel walls (HW) are losing or will lose their validity in the foreseeable future.

Determining the fire protection properties of components is a key part of the planning process. Whether a timber construction component is permissible must be checked on a case-by-case basis. Currently, the focus of verification is less on the performance of a component and more on its legal admissibility.

Planning & building timber construction

The current "Planning and Building Timber Construction" provides information on fire resistance and, in certain instances, the fire protection properties of the associated lining. The references to applicability certificates are factually correct. However, due to changes in building regulations, the legal admissibility of the presented systems must be checked on a case-by-case basis and coordinated with the relevant approval authorities. As these legal assessments are made at the state level, they may lead to different results depending on the state.

Planning & Building Timber Construction - Catalogue (PDF)

Testing fire protection-effective lining, Photo: SAINT-GOBAIN RIGIPS GmbH

Rigips Contact

We are happy to support you with your projects and planning. Our technical team is available to assist you. If you are a registered partner company or planning office, you can also contact our premium telephone advice service on (0209) 3603541*.

Additional information on compliance in timber construction can also be found here!

* Standard telephone rates for registered RIGIPS and ISOVER partners.