Fire-retardants for timber

Fire-retardants serve to improve the reaction-to-fire performance of solid timber or wood-based materials treated with them. Through treatment with the fire-retardant, the solid timber or wood-based materials can be used in areas in which use of building materials classified as not easily flammable ('schwerentflammbar') is required. The fire-retardant can be applied to the solid timber or wood-based materials in a downstream process through painting, spraying, dipping or vacuum–pressure impregnation.

Regulatory framework

Classification of the reaction-to-fire of construction products is relevant to ensure fulfilment of the regulatory safety levels, cf. Model Building Code (MBO), Sections 3 and 14 in conjunction with Section 26.

DIBt grants national technical approvals (abZ)/general construction technique permits (aBG) for fire-retardants for timber/wood-based materials to improve their reaction-to-fire performance unless the test methods set out for the granting of a national technical test certificate (abP) are applied (cf. MVV TB, Section C 3, no. C 3.4), because there are no Technical Building Rules nor generally recognised technical rules for such products/applications.

European Technical Assessments (ETAs) can also be issued for fire-retardants. For applications comprising fire-retardants, the relevant provisions of the federal states following MVV TB, Section A 2.2, no. A 2.2.1.2 referring to Annex 4, Section 14 apply.

Please refer to the Technical Building Rules, cf. in particular:

  • MVV TB, Part A 2.2, no. A 2.2.1.2 'Regulatory requirements, assignment of classes, use of construction products, application of construction techniques'
  • MVV TB, Section A 2.2, no. A 2.2.1.3 Classified building materials and components, execution rules (referring to DIN 4102-4:2016-05)

Principles, guidance, recommendations

National verification is carried out based on specifications developed by DIBt after consultation with the competent expert committee 'Fire behaviour of building materials'. Applicants will receive all details in the course of the procedure.

ETAG 028 Guideline for European Technical Approval of Fire Retardant Products (35 pages)

Version June 2012

Application forms

National procedure

A national technical approval (abZ) and/or oder general construction technique permit (aBG) is granted upon application (see Model Building Code (MBO), Sections 16a(2) and18(2) and (4)). This also applies to amendments and supplements to, or renewals of existing approvals and/or construction technique permits.

No formal requirements apply. The following information is needed: name and address of the applicant, description of the product and/or construction technique and its field of use or application, type of decision required (new decision, amendment or supplement to, or renewal of, an existing decision).

Please feel free to use the template below.

Application for a national technical approval and/or construction technique permit (3 pages)

Version: January 2018; Application form

Application for amendment / supplementation / renewal of a national technical approval and/or construction technique permit (4 pages)

Version: January 2018; Application form

Guideline: How to provide drawings for national technical approvals and general construction technique permits (5 pages)

Version: July 2017

European Technical Assessment (ETA)

To start the ETA procedure, please submit the form below. We will then check if the prerequisites for issuing an ETA are met, i.e., in particular, if the product is not fully covered by an existing harmonised standard. If the prerequisites are met, we will check whether a European Assessment Document (EAD) covering the requested assessment scope already exists or still needs to be developed. If an EAD needs to be developed or amended, a complete technical file needs to be established before the procedure can begin.

Form for requesting a European Technical Assessment (ETA) (2 pages)

Last updated: 16 June 2022

  • abZ/aBG
  • Z = new decision | E = supplement | Ä = amendment | V = renewal | G = valid until
    Subject concerned Applicant Decision no. Validity
    from / to
    Dämmschichtbildende Beschichtung "Brandschutz" zur Ausrüstung von Vollholz und Holzwerkstoffplatten und deren Verwendung als schwerentflammbare Baustoffe

    Remmers GmbH

    Bernhard-Remmers-Straße 13

    49624 Löningen

    Z-56.313-100 Z: 18.06.2021
    G: 22.07.2024
    Mit dem Feuerschutzmittel "Nordtreat NT Deco" beschichtetes Vollholz und Brettsperrholz als schwerentflammbarer Baustoff

    Nordtreat Finnland Oy

    Timpurinkuja 5

    06150 PORVOO

    FINNLAND

    Z-56.313-101 Z: 31.08.2021
    G: 31.08.2023
    Dämmschichtbildende Beschichtung "Sika Pyroplast Wood T" zur Ausrüstung von Vollholz und Holzwerkstoffplatten und deren Verwendung als schwerentflammbare Baustoffe

    Sika Deutschland GmbH

    Kornwestheimer Straße 107

    70439 Stuttgart

    Z-56.313-91 Z: 18.06.2021
    G: 24.06.2024
    Feuerschutzmittel "Adolit BSS 1" für die Imprägnierung von Holz im Kessel-Vakuum-Druck-Verfahren zur Verbesserung des Brandverhaltens

    Remmers GmbH

    Bernhard-Remmers-Straße 13

    49624 Löningen

    Z-56.313-99 Z: 18.05.2020
    Ä + V: 27.05.2021
    G: 27.05.2023

Otto Fechner
Head of Section – Reaction to Fire of Building Materials, Fire Protective Coatings

Phone +49 30 78730-207
Email ofe(at)dibt(.)de

Legal reference documents

Testing, certification, inspection