Fire resistance classes E, EW, and EI: what do they mean? Fire safety plays a crucial role in construction projects. Yet, for many professionals, the fire resistance classes E, EW, and EI remain terms that raise questions. What exactly do these classifications mean? On this page, you will read the basics and you can download the full knowledge document.

E, EW, and EI classifications in brief

Fire resistance classes indicate how a structure performs during a fire. In other words: how well does a structure contain a fire? In Europe, the classes E, EW, and EI are used for this purpose. Each class focuses on a different level of protection — from simply containing flames to completely isolating heat. The time rating (e.g., 30, 60, or 120 minutes) indicates how long an element must be able to maintain this performance. Want to know what the differences are? In this handy knowledge document, you will find a clear, brief description.

Download the poster / knowledge document

Are you an architect, structural advisor, or working at a construction company, and do you want a compact overview of the three fire resistance classes? Then download the knowledge document here: Overview of Fire Resistance Classes E / EW / EI. After leaving your email address, you will receive instant access.

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