brandwiderstand

Brandwiderstand, in German-speaking contexts, denotes the fire resistance of a material or construction assembly. It describes the ability to withstand exposure to fire while maintaining essential functions for a defined period. In practice, a higher Brandwiderstand rating means the element can resist fire longer, with common ratings expressed in minutes or hours.

Brandwiderstand is determined through standardized fire tests that expose specimens to controlled furnace conditions. Assessments focus on stability (load-bearing capacity), integrity (no breach of the barrier), and insulation (limited heat transfer to the unexposed side). If these criteria are met for the specified duration, the element is assigned a fire-resistance rating.

Several factors influence Brandwiderstand: the inherent properties of the materials (thermal conductivity, mass, and cohesiveness), the thickness of layers, how joints and attachments are executed, seals around openings, and the presence of penetrations that require fire-stopping. Proper installation and maintenance are essential to preserve the rated performance.

In construction practice, fire resistance is governed by building codes and product standards that require minimum Brandwiderstand for different elements and occupancies. Design teams specify rated assemblies for walls, floors, ceilings, and doors, and manufacturers provide data sheets with tested fire-resistance ratings.

Note: The term is commonly used in German-language texts; in international discourse, the equivalent concept is fire resistance, aligned with applicable standards such as EN 13501 and EN 1363.