Penetration seals are used in fire-stopping and fire-sealing measures when services, such as pipes and cables, penetrate fire-resistant walls and/or ceilings. Penetration seals prevent the spread of fire, smoke and/or temperature (prevention of secondary fires) into other compartments, such as storeys, apartments or occupancy units.

The installation/application of the penetration seal is considered to be a construction technique from a regulatory perspective.

Regulatory framework

In this work area, DIBt grants national technical approvals (abZ) for penetration seal products and/or general construction technique permits (aBG) for the installation/application of the penetration seal. The installation/application of the penetration seal is regulated in a general construction technique permit because there are no conclusive technical rules regarding design and execution. It specifies the conditions under which the penetration seal needs to be installed, the construction products to be used and the manner in which it needs to be executed in order to meet the regulatory requirements for a defined fire resistance.

A national technical test certificate (abP) is sufficient for construction techniques which can be evaluated on the basis of generally recognised test methods (e.g. in accordance with DIN 4102-11:1985-12), cf. MVV TB Part C 4.

There are no recognised test methods in accordance with DIN 4102-11:1985-12 or conclusive technical rules for metal pipes penetrating fire-resistant components and connected to combustible plastic pipes on one or both of their ends ('mixed installations'). National technical test certificates can therefore not be granted. A general construction technique permit granted by DIBt serves as general verification of fitness for application for classified penetration seals for such mixed installations.

European Technical Assessments (ETAs) can also be issued for construction products that are components of penetration seals and are to be traded on the internal market. For these penetration seal products covered by an ETA, a general construction technique permit is required for the execution of the construction technique.

Please also refer to the relevant provisions of the federal states following the Model Administrative Provisions – Technical Building Rules (MVV TB).

Chapter A 2 'Saftey in case of fire' of the MVV TB further specifies the general fire protection requirements for structural works or parts thereof set out in the Model Building Code and the Model Ordinances on special buildings and structures and associated provisions, especially in terms of reaction-to-fire and fire resistance.

Section A 2.1.14 'Piping and ductwork, service ducts' of the MVV TB states the Technical Rule (no. A 2.2.1.8) that needs to be to be observed for services: it is the Model Guideline on fire protection requirements for services (MLAR, linked on the right).  Regarding the construction products and construction techniques used, reference is made to the Technical Rule no. A 2.2.1.2 'Regulatory requirements, assignment of classes, use of construction products, application of construction techniques' set out in Annex 4 of the MVV TB. Annex 4, Section 6 'Pipe and cable penetration seals' lays down the required fire resistance classes for the above-mentioned construction techniques.