Fire spreads rapidly in a warehouse — especially when racking holds packaging materials, cardboard or plastic goods. Belgian legislation and European standards set clear fire safety requirements for storage facilities.
Legal framework in Belgium
- Royal Decree of 7 July 1994 (basic fire prevention standards) and amendments
- Codex Welzijn op het Werk — mandatory fire risk assessment
- Municipal fire authority requirements — vary by municipality
- Insurance conditions — often stricter than the legal minimum
Racking materials and fire
| Situation | Risk |
|---|---|
| Uncoated steel racking | Loss of load capacity at 550°C |
| Plastic pallets | Faster fire spread |
| High-bay storage (>8m) | Sprinklers harder to reach the fire |
| Narrow aisles | Hinders evacuation and fire brigade access |
Mandatory measures for warehouses
- Fire detection — smoke detectors and/or heat sensors required
- Sprinkler system — required for storage >8m high or >2,500 m²
- Clear aisles — minimum 80 cm wide, clearly marked
- Emergency lighting and exits — clearly visible and unobstructed
- Fire extinguishers — minimum 1 per 150 m², near exits
Racking layout guidelines
- Maintain at least 50 cm clearance between the top of stored goods and sprinkler heads
- Use smoke curtains to divide sections in high-bay storage
- Store hazardous substances in separate certified storage cabinets
- Choose powder-coated steel — better resistance to moisture and corrosion
MagazijnService — fire-safe racking solutions in Belgium
We advise on racking layout in line with fire safety regulations. All systems we supply are CE-certified and EN 15512 compliant.
