Brandafstand

Brandafstand is a term used in fire safety and building regulations to denote the minimum distance that must be maintained between buildings, or between a building and potential sources of ignition or combustible materials. The purpose of brandafstand is to limit the spread of fire between structures, protect occupants, and provide space for firefighting operations and access routes. The concept is applied in urban planning, architectural design, and regulatory compliance in several countries, including the Netherlands and Belgium.

The exact required distance is determined by national and local regulations and guidelines, and it varies with factors such as the type of building, its height, occupancy, the fire resistance of construction elements, and the presence of openings or fire protection systems. In general, larger brandafstand offers greater safety, but stricter fire resistance or compartmentalization can reduce the needed distance. Distances are typically measured between exterior façades or between a facade and a property boundary, and may also consider access for emergency services.

In practice, brandafstand influences site planning and design decisions. If neighboring plots or structures do not meet the mandated distance, authorities may require additional fire-rated barriers, non-combustible materials, or other protective measures, and a fire safety engineer may be involved to demonstrate compliance through calculations and assessments.

See also: Brandveilig bouwen, Bouwbesluit, Brandweer, Fire safety regulations.