DA DB-SI / 1 – Fire Behavior Justification for Construction Products in Spain
The DA DB-SI / 1 is a Support Document (Documento de Apoyo) designed to supplement the Documento Básico DB-SI Seguridad en caso de incendio, which forms part of the Spanish Building Code (Código Técnico de la Edificación or CTE). Issued by the Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana, this December 2022 edition updates and replaces previous versions from 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2019. It operates as a regulatory guide for professionals to verify the fire performance of construction materials during the building phase.
The scope of this document focuses on the procedural requirements for justifying the use of construction products based on their reacción al fuego (reaction to fire) and resistencia al fuego (fire resistance). It defines the mandatory documentation, including European harmonized standards, CE marking requirements, and the role of the Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo (MINCOTUR) in market surveillance. The framework applies to both products requiring mandatory CE marking and those that utilize voluntary quality marks or technical assessments.
The following sections detail the specific verification protocols for product reception on-site, the validity periods for classification reports, and the specialized requirements for complex systems such as fire curtains.
Product Reception and CE Marking Requirements
Upon reception at the construction site, products must be inspected to determine if they require a marcado CE. If a product is mandated to have this marking according to European Commission listings but lacks it, the material must be rejected.
- Mandatory Marking: Verified via harmonized standards published in the DOUE (Official Journal of the European Union).
- Voluntary Marking: Products may carry CE marking via a Documento de Evaluación Europea (European Assessment Document) even if not in the mandatory list.
- Documentation Check: The declared fire resistance or reaction class must match the specifications in the building project and relevant regulations.
Verification for Products Without CE Marking
For products where CE marking is not mandatory or the required fire characteristic is not listed, documentation must include a full description and identification through one of the following methods:
- Spanish Laboratory Reports: Classification or characterization reports from laboratories accredited by ENAC.
- EU Laboratory Reports: Documentation from other EU member state bodies, provided the lab is accredited according to Reglamento (CE) nº 765/2008.
- Mutual Recognition: Products legally marketed in other EU states may be accepted under Reglamento (UE) 2019/515.
- Quality Marks: Voluntary quality seals or marks of conformity issued by accredited certification bodies.
- Technical Fitness Assessment: An evaluación técnica de idoneidad with a valid expiration date at the time of reception.
Complex Systems and Non-Conventional Compartmentation
Certain complex systems, such as cortinas cortafuego (fire curtains), require more rigorous justification than a standard fire resistance test.
- Technical Assessment Requirement: Usage must be supported by a technical fitness assessment issued by an authorized entity.
- Critical Characteristics: The assessment must verify all system features critical to its protective function as required by the administration.
Validity and Formal Documentation
Classification reports have specific expiration limits regarding their ability to cover products supplied to a site.
- Reaction to Fire: Classification reports are valid for 5 years from the test date.
- Fire Resistance: Classification reports are valid for 10 years from the test date.
- Language: All documentation must be in Spanish or the co-official language of the relevant Autonomous Community.
- Libro del Edificio: The director de la ejecución de la obra is responsible for collecting this documentation to be deposited in the professional college or competent administration and included in the building's permanent records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a construction product lacks the mandatory CE marking?
According to the DA DB-SI / 1, if a product is required to have CE marking and lacks it upon reception at the site, it must be rejected.
How long is a fire reaction classification report valid?
A classification or characterization report for reaction to fire can support a product for up to 5 years following the date of the corresponding test.
How long is a fire resistance classification report valid?
Classification reports for fire resistance characteristics remain valid for up to 10 years after the test was performed.
What is required for the justification of fire curtains (cortinas cortafuego)?
They cannot be justified by a simple conventional fire resistance test alone; they require a technical fitness assessment (evaluación técnica de idoneidad) issued by an authorized entity.
In what language must the technical fire documentation be presented?
The documentation must be written in Spanish or in one of the co-official languages of the Autonomous Community where the project is located.
Who is responsible for collecting fire safety documentation on-site?
The director de la ejecución de la obra is responsible for gathering all accrediting documentation to be included in the Libro del Edificio.
