Passive Fire Protection in Catalonia

Passive fire protection comprises the set of measures and construction elements that, without needing to be activated, contain fire within a building compartment and limit its spread to the rest of the structure. Unlike active fire protection, it operates permanently and passively from the moment the building is constructed. At Igniescut we specialise in these solutions in Tarragona, Barcelona and across Catalonia.

The reference regulatory framework is the Spanish Building Code (CTE), specifically the Basic Document SI (Safety in case of Fire). CTE DB-SI defines fire compartments for each building use —residential, commercial, healthcare, administrative, industrial— and sets minimum fire-resistance requirements (R, EI or REI) for walls, slabs, columns, beams and doors separating compartments. These requirements are expressed in minutes: RF-30, RF-60, RF-90 or RF-120 depending on the resistance needed. In Catalonia, the Generalitat supplements these requirements through the Department of Interior, which oversees periodic technical inspections of buildings.

Fire doors are the most visible passive protection element and the most frequently deteriorated. An RF-60 door must maintain its structural integrity and insulation capacity for 60 minutes under standardised fire exposure. At Igniescut we install CE-certified doors with fire-resistance marking verified by an accredited laboratory: hinged, sliding and sectional doors for protected stairwells, high-risk premises and industrial compartments.

Beyond doors, passive fire protection includes fire-proofing of metal and wooden structures, essential in industrial buildings and structures with exposed frames. Intumescent paints provide RF-30 to RF-90 protection to steel structures with a minimum thickness layer. Perlite, vermiculite and rock-wool mortars achieve fire-resistance up to RF-240 on critical columns and beams in tall buildings or healthcare facilities.

Equally important is penetration sealing: every duct, pipe or cable that crosses a compartmenting element is a potential weak point through which fire can spread between compartments. We use approved intumescent sealants, fire collars and pillow inserts to seal these penetrations and fully restore the compartment's fire-resistance.

All our passive fire protection work is documented with material certificates, product technical datasheets, photographic records and fire-resistance reports. This documentation is required by the Generalitat during periodic inspections and is essential for any certification, renovation or property transfer process in Catalonia.