Fire-resistant seals (WBDBO)

Fire-resistant seals (WBDBO) 🔥

Certified fire-resistant seals for separations with a WBDBO requirement (EI), in accordance with Bbl, NEN 6068, EN 1366-3 & ISSO SBR-809. BraVeBo safeguards the continuity of your fire compartments – from survey to demonstrable documentation.

Passive fire protection: fire compartments that hold in practice.

💨 Smoke-resistant seals (WRD) – service page

📚 Terminology & standards: WBDBO & WRD (NEN 6068 / NEN 6075)

🔥 Request WBDBO survey

In case of fire, there is no second chance!

What we do

• Survey & WBDBO analysis

  Inspection of the existing situation, checking detail interfaces and recording the applicable WBDBO / EI requirements according to Bbl and design.

• Fire-resistant repair & execution

  Execution of certified fire-resistant seals around cables, pipes, ducts and joints, using systems tested in accordance with EN 1366-3/-4 and classified in accordance with EN 13501-2.

• QR-based EI dossier

  Every fire-resistant detail can be recorded with a unique label and digital report (photos, location, system type and performance class), including DoP and ETA references. Audit-ready for building owner, authority and insurer. Retention: minimum 10 years in the digital EI dossier.

The BraVeBo Mission: Building the Invisible Shield

When smoke moves, seconds decide everything. In the hidden voids above ceilings and behind walls, fire doesn’t need permission — only one weak spot.

Every cable, pipe, and duct forms a potential escape route for flames and smoke. Our mission: to eliminate these routes permanently with certified systems.

• Proven resistance.
• Documented safety.
• Certified integrity.

BraVeBo B.V. builds the invisible shield that makes the difference between containment and catastrophe.

WBDBO in practice

WBDBO (Weerstand tegen BrandDoorslag en BrandOverslag) determines how long a separation (wall, floor, roof) prevents the passage of fire, heat and smoke gases between two spaces. In practice, this is expressed in EI classes such as:

• EI 30
• EI 60
• EI 90
• EI 120

EI is the main metric for separations; EIW is applied where the specification explicitly demands it.

For critical separations, this means:

• Fire compartments (BC): separations between fire compartments must maintain their EI class, including at penetrations.
• Separations towards escape routes: WBDBO must demonstrably be maintained so that escape routes remain safe and usable.
• Detail interfaces: not only the wall itself counts, but also all openings, joints, cables, pipes, ducts and edge details.

A fire-rated wall with EI 60 has practically no value left once openings are closed provisionally or penetrations are sealed without an approved system. That is exactly where BraVeBo’s work starts.

EI is not the same as smoke resistance (WRD)

EI stops fire and high temperature; WRD stops smoke. In the Netherlands, the Bbl requires, besides WBDBO, smoke control according to NEN 6075. Depending on the situation:

• Sa / S200 applies to doors and closures (EN 1634-3), or
• Ra / R200 applies to separations and route conditions.

Do you want to be sure that your compartment closes not only fire-resistant but also smoke-resistant? See: Smoke-resistant seals (WRD) [link to: /rookwerende-afdichtingen_en/].

💨 More about smoke-resistant seals (WRD)

Compliance: legal and insurance necessity

In the Netherlands and the EU, effective fire-resistant sealing is not a choice, but an obligation under the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl). Under the CPR (EU 305/2011), products that fall under a harmonised standard or are assessed via ETA/EAD (including ETAG 026 route) must be supplied with a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and CE marking.

Building owners and users/facility managers have a continuous legal responsibility to maintain fire safety provisions. Among other things, this means:

• fire compartments and WBDBO values remain demonstrably intact;
• emergency and escape routes maintain their protection level;
• changes to installations and penetrations are immediately restored to fire-resistant condition.

A use permit or notification is not a snapshot; authorities expect the building to continuously comply.

Consequences of non-compliant seals:

• Mandatory compliance: conformity with Bbl and the relevant NEN/EN standards is required for building and use approval.
• Insurance validity: after a fire, claims can be rejected if it appears that non-compliant or substandard fire seals contributed to fire or smoke spread.
• Specific duty of care (Bbl): the Bbl imposes a duty of care on both owner and user/facility manager to prevent hazardous situations and maintain fire safety provisions; assign a responsible person within FM/governance.
• Liability: non-compliant seals can lead to enforcement measures (closure or use restrictions) and, in cases of gross negligence or serious injury, even criminal prosecution (art. 307/308 Sr; art. 51 Sr for legal entities).

With a well-structured EI dossier (photos, labels, DoP/CE, ETA/EAD, batch/lot numbers) you demonstrate that the fire-resistant seals are correct not only on drawings, but also in the actual building.

Your benefit: you sleep well; compartments hold. No smoke, no panic – maximum continuity, minimum liability.

Standards & demonstrable proof

BraVeBo works demonstrably in accordance with:

• Bbl → reference to NEN 6068 (WBDBO / fire spread calculations)
• EN 1366-3/-4 (testing of penetrations and linear joints)
• EN 13501-2 (EI classification)
• Products with DoP/CE and, where applicable, ETA/EAD references
• Reporting with:
• batch/lot numbers of products used,
• DoP numbers and relevant system references,
• photo log before/after per location and label.

More background on fire seals and certification: see our knowledge article Fire seals & certification

📚 Technical explanation: fire seals, WBDBO & WRD

Fire-resistant seals & systems (WBDBO/EI)

Fire-resistant sealing is not a matter of “a bit of foam and done”. BraVeBo works with a fixed, repeatable approach in which every opening is followed and recorded from survey to dossier.

Core principles

• always understand each location first, then seal
• work only with demonstrably tested systems
• link every intervention directly to a label and digital dossier
• always traceable: who did what, where, when and with what

Method: WBDBO without disruption

Our approach rests on three pillars:

• Specialised EI teams – VCA VOL, NEN 3140 and a zero-incident mindset; used to technical rooms, data centres and ESA-ESTEC environments where failure is not an option.
• Engineering according to NEN 6068 & EN 1366-3/-4 – systems selected and detailed so that the WBDBO performance (EI/EIW) is demonstrably maintained, including at penetrations, joints and complex installations.
• Surgical planning – work windows aligned with uptime requirements, minimal footprint, predictable execution, no disruption of operations, care, IT or test facilities.

In practice, we go through four concrete steps:

1. Survey & WBDBO analysis

• Inventory of fire compartments, separations and detail interfaces.
• Verification of EI requirements according to Bbl, NEN 6068 and project documentation.
• Recording existing penetrations, temporary fixes and defects (including photos).
• If required: proposal for a repair strategy per location, zone or building section.

2. Engineering & product selection

• Linking each situation to a suitable, certified system.
• Taking into account:
• type of wall/floor (solid, lightweight partition, sandwich, etc.)
• type and number of penetrations
• accessibility and construction phase
• future expandability (reserve positions, additional cables)
• Documenting selected systems and detail types in a clear plan.

Precision fire-resistant seals (WBDBO): beyond standard foam

We install fully tested EI systems and avoid generic PU fire foams as a primary fire stop, unless the exact build-up is demonstrably tested and classified.

Our solutions are aligned with the lifecycle of your installations, using high-performance materials from, among others, Firetect and ROCKWOOL.

3. Execution by certified fire seal installers

Fire-resistant seals at BraVeBo are not “tacked on”, but executed by small, specialised teams of certified fire seal installers, with a disciplined working method focused on fire safety without disrupting your operations.

• Working according to system and standard: applying fire-resistant seals strictly according to the system descriptions and application instructions of the manufacturer, in line with EN 1366-3/-4 and EN 13501-2.
• Surgical planning: work windows that are flexible and non-disruptive, aligned with your critical uptime periods, with a minimal footprint on site.
• Careful finishing: neat, clean finishing, including in visible technical rooms and cleaner environments; attention to masking, dust limitation and accessibility for future maintenance.
• Single point of contact: from survey to repair and handover, one VCA-certified partner who coordinates the works and communication.
• Direct link with the EI dossier: every seal is linked on site to location, label and detail in the digital EI-compliance dossier, so execution and documentation form one closed chain.

4. QR-based EI dossier & traceability – your audited proof of safety

We deliver documented, audited proof of safety. Our commitment to traceability creates exceptional confidence for authorities, insurers and owners, and limits your liability.

Each seal is provided with a BraVeBo label with a unique code that links directly to the digital EI-compliance dossier. This reinforces compliance, speeds up inspections and reduces liability risks.

What we secure per label:

• Unique identification: QR/ID per seal, linkable to work order, drawing and detail.
• Penetration data: type (cable, cable tray, pipe/duct), diameter/dimensions, residual openings.
• Separation & EI performance: type of separation (wall/floor/roof), required EI class, link to the WBDBO requirement.
• Applied system and material: brand/system type, materials used with batch/lot numbers, DoP/CE data and, where applicable, ETA/EAD references (including ETAG 026 route).
• Full documentation: photo log before/after execution, exact location (building, floor, room, opening number / coordinates), date and executing party.
• Classified solution: link to relevant test reports (EN 1366-3/-4), EI classification according to EN 13501-2 and application within the agreed WBDBO and, where needed, WRD requirements (NEN 6068 / NEN 6075 / ISSO-SBR 809).
• Audit & archiving: complete digital dossier (PDF/ZIP), minimum 10-year retention in the Fire Seal DB, with version control and role-based access rights.

Deliverables – what you actually receive

Per label you receive an audit-ready PDF/ZIP dossier with:

• photo log before/after
• location & coordinates (building, floor, room, opening number)
• EI class and description of the separation
• system with DoP/CE and ETA/EAD references
• batch/lot numbers of the products used
• execution date and team
• revision history (retention ≥ 10 years)

Your benefit

• Fire compartments that perform as promised on paper.
• Audit-ready documentation.
• No disruption, no noise, maximum continuity.

Mission-critical environments

BraVeBo works in environments where failing fire compartmentation is not an option:

• ESA-ESTEC and other high-security technical environments,
• data centres and control rooms,
• laboratories and R&D facilities,
• hospitals, care and childcare facilities,
• high-rise and complex commercial buildings.

In these buildings, a single incorrect seal means:

• increased risk of rapid fire spread,
• danger to people in escape routes,
• downtime of critical processes,
• major financial and reputational damage.

That is why we do not work with “standard prices per hole”, but with situation-based solutions that match the real risks, requirements and responsibilities.

Service area – Certified fire-resistant seals in the Netherlands

BraVeBo operates from Zoetermeer for projects throughout the Netherlands, with a focus on critical environments (data centres, technical rooms, healthcare, high-rise, ESA-ESTEC).

Rapid deployment in the Randstad and coastal region; nationwide coverage for mission-critical environments.

Active on a daily basis in, among others:

• Zoetermeer
• Noordwijk (ESA-ESTEC – European Space Agency)
• The Hague
• Rotterdam
• Delft
• Leiden
• Utrecht
• Haarlemmermeer

And project-based elsewhere, such as: Baarle-Nassau, Bergen op Zoom, Woerden, Losser, Nuenen, Ulvenhout, Uithoorn, Sappemeer.

Costs & planning

A realistic price for fire-resistant seals depends on, among other factors:

• the scope and depth of the survey,
• the complexity of penetrations and joints,
• the required EI duration (for example EI 30, EI 60, EI 120),
• the desired documentation depth (basic report versus extended QR dossier),
• work windows and access constraints in mission-critical environments.

We work with transparent blocks and a repair plan per zone, not with a flat “price per hole”. This way you keep control over budget, risk and planning.

Do you want a targeted price indication or a survey carried out? Go to our contact page for a WBDBO survey or quotation request.

🔥 Request WBDBO scan or project survey

Frequently asked questions about WBDBO and fire-resistant seals

Question 1 – What exactly is WBDBO?

WBDBO (Weerstand tegen BrandDoorslag en BrandOverslag) describes how long a separation stops fire, heat and smoke gases between two spaces. In practice, this is translated into EI classes (for example EI 60) according to NEN 6068 and EN 13501-2.

Question 2 – Which standards apply to fire-resistant seals?

For WBDBO and penetrations, the following standards and documents are relevant, among others:

• Bbl → NEN 6068 (fire spread and WBDBO)
• EN 1366-3/-4 (testing of penetrations and linear joints)
• EN 13501-2 (EI classification)
• DoP/CE and ETA/EAD as proof at product and system level.

Question 3 – Do I need WRD in addition to WBDBO?

In many buildings, yes. WBDBO governs fire resistance (EI), while WRD according to NEN 6075 concerns smoke passage (Sa/S200, Ra/R200). Especially for escape routes, stairwells and route conditions, WRD is crucial. See our page Smoke-resistant seals (WRD) [link to: /rookwerende-afdichtingen_en/] for more information.

Question 4 – How do I demonstrate conformity of my fire-resistant seals?

With a combination of:

• QR dossier per location / label,
• photo log before/after,
• recorded EI class and system data,
• DoP/CE data and ETA/EAD references,
• batch/lot numbers of the products used.

This allows you to show immediately during inspections what has been applied where.

Question 5 – How long do fire-resistant seals last and how often should I inspect them?

Fire-resistant seals are designed for the lifetime of the separation, but in practice things change due to refurbishments and installation works. We advise:

• periodic visual inspection (for example annually),
• additional inspection after refurbishments or major installation changes,
• using the QR dossier to quickly record changes.

Question 6 – May I use PU foam as a fire-resistant seal?

Not as a primary fire stop. We work with tested systems in accordance with EN 1366-3/-4 with DoP/CE and ETA/EAD. PU foam can only be used within the boundaries of a tested system and never as free “filler” around cables and pipes.

Question 7 – Can BraVeBo also repair existing temporary seals?

Yes. We map the situation, link it to suitable certified systems and phase out temporary solutions. In doing so, we take into account business continuity and accessibility of critical installations.

Next step

Do you have fire compartments where you no longer fully trust the seals? Are you looking for a party that takes over survey, repair and documentation?

Contact BraVeBo for:

• a targeted WBDBO survey,
• a repair plan per building section or risk area,
• and a demonstrable EI dossier that is ready for the next inspection.

In case of fire, there is no second chance!

We make sure your fire-resistant seals hold.

🔥 Contact us about WBDBO