Appendix 10: Single-Story Industrial and Warehouse Buildings – Pre-accepted Fire Safety Solutions
Bilag 10 til Bygningsreglementets vejledning til kap. 5 – Brand is the official Danish guidance for the fire protection of single-story industrial and warehouse buildings. Issued by the Trafik-, Bygge- og Boligstyrelsen (Danish Transport, Construction and Housing Authority), this document provides pre-accepted solutions for meeting the safety requirements of the Bygningsreglementet 2018 (BR18). It applies to new constructions, extensions, and changes of use for buildings classified under application category 1 and risk classes 1 or 2.
The scope encompasses traditional industrial and warehouse facilities, including associated support functions such as workshops, foreman offices, breakrooms, and technical facilities. The regulation introduces a specialized classification system known as Industri- og lagerklasser (ILK), which categorizes building sections from ILK 1 to ILK 5 based on three primary metrics: Brandbelastning (fire load in MJ/m²), Brandtilvækstfaktor (fire growth rate), and Stablingshøjde (storage height). These classifications determine specific requirements for structural fire resistance, escape route lengths, and fire suppression systems.
This guidance covers critical regulatory domains including evacuation and rescue of persons, the fire resistance of load-bearing structures, limitation of fire and smoke spread, and emergency service access. It details technical specifications for materials, fire sections (Brandsektioner), and fire cells (Brandceller) to ensure building compliance with Danish fire safety standards.
Industry and Warehouse Classifications (ILK)
Building sections are classified based on the potential fire risk associated with the specific industrial or storage activity. The document defines five distinct classes:
- ILK 1: Low fire load (max 250 MJ/m²), slow fire growth, and no limit on storage height.
- ILK 2: Fire load up to 800 MJ/m², fire growth up to 'fast', and maximum storage height of 8 m.
- ILK 3: Fire load up to 1,600 MJ/m², fire growth up to 'fast', and maximum storage height of 8 m.
- ILK 4: No limit on fire load, 'ultra-fast' fire growth, and maximum storage height of 8 m.
- ILK 5: Potential fire load exceeding 1,600 MJ/m², 'ultra-fast' fire growth, and storage height up to 40 m.
Evacuation and Escape Route Design
The design of escape routes must ensure that occupants can reach a safe place or terrain. Maximum travel distances to the nearest exit are strictly regulated based on the ILK classification.
- 60 meters: Maximum travel distance for buildings in ILK 1.
- 45 meters: Maximum travel distance for buildings in ILK 2 and ILK 3.
- 30 meters: Maximum travel distance for buildings in ILK 4 and ILK 5.
- 150 m² / 50 persons: Small fire cells with only one exit are permitted if these limits are not exceeded.
Structural Fire Resistance
Load-bearing structures must maintain stability during a fire to allow for safe evacuation and rescue operations. Requirements vary depending on building area and the presence of automatic fire suppression systems.
- R 30 [BD-bygningsdel 30]: Minimum requirement for load-bearing parts in buildings up to 1,000 m².
- R 60 [BD-bygningsdel 60]: Minimum requirement for buildings over 1,000 m² or specific ILK 5 sections.
- REI 120 / A2-s1,d0 [BS-bygningsdel 120]: Standard for firewalls (Brandvægge) and load-bearing parts in larger ILK 5 storage sections.
- Automatic Sprinkler Systems: May allow for reduced structural requirements (e.g., R 15 / A2-s1,d0) in certain configurations.
Fire and Smoke Spread Limitations
Regulations limit fire spread to other buildings and between different fire units within the same building. This is managed through boundary distances and fire-rated separations.
- Distance to boundary: Generally 2.5 m for ILK 1-4 if cladding is K1 10 / B-s1,d0 [class 1], or 5.0 m with D-s2,d2 [class B] rainscreens.
- Firewalls (Brandvægge): Must be used if the building is closer than 2.5 m to a boundary.
- Fire Sections (Brandsektioner): Unsprinklered sections in ILK 2 are limited to 5,000 m², while ILK 3 and ILK 4 are limited to 2,000 m².
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum travel distance in an ILK 4 warehouse?
The maximum travel distance to the nearest exit in an ILK 4 or ILK 5 building section is 30 meters, as defined in Table 2.1.
When is an automatic sprinkler system mandatory?
Sprinklers are required for one-story buildings over 5,000 m², or over 2,000 m² if the fire load exceeds 800 MJ/m².
What fire rating is required for a firewall in a large storage facility?
A firewall (Brandvæg) must meet a minimum rating of REI 120 / A2-s1,d0 [BS-bygningsdel 120] according to section 4.2.6.5.
How is storage height (Stablingshøjde) measured?
It is defined as the distance from the floor surface to the upper edge of the stored goods (H1), as illustrated in Figure 1.1.
What is the minimum distance to a property boundary for an ILK 5 building over 600 m²?
The distance must at least correspond to the building height, but must be at least 10 meters, as specified in Table 4.1.
Are external escape stairs allowed from mezzanine levels?
Yes, external stairs can be established from partially inserted floors provided they do not pass other fire cells or fire sections.
