Foil conservatory fire safety legislation called into question

As a manufacturer and assembler of film greenhouses, Vermako Greenhouses had long noted that customers were experiencing increasing delays in getting their building permits approved. These delays were causing growers frustration. The cause of the delays lay in the fact that the relevant authorities were not sufficiently informed about the fire safety requirements of double-film greenhouses.

Uncertainty about double-walled film

To clarify this, VERMAKO invited several parties to participate in a fire test. Those present included Mr. Desadeleer Jan, Director of Fire Safety FPS Interior Affairs Belgium and representatives of various institutions, including Boerenbond, SBB, insurance companies such as KBC, Hagelunie and the fire department.

The preliminary discussion addressed the gaps in current legislation. VERMAKO pointed out that double foil poses no greater fire risk than single foil, provided that the double foil greenhouse is professionally manufactured and constructed. The Fire Safety Directorate questioned the larger mass of foil on the roof and the air layer in between. These could pose a greater risk if in contact with a fire. The insurance companies clearly stated that they do not provide insurance for greenhouses that are not built by approved companies.

Positive result

The fire test was conducted in a greenhouse with The fire test was conducted in a greenhouse with double foil of 19m by 20m. The side walls and roof were covered with 2 layers of plastic. The outer layer was Hytthermic type and the inner layer was Hytilux Diffuse type. The space between the 2 layers was between 5 and 9cm. The roof had to support a weight of 175kg of plastic. The foil greenhouse was subjected to fire 3 times: once in the roof, once at the ridge and once at the side walls.

Particular attention was paid to minimizing the risk to people inside a burning foil greenhouse. Since the test came out positive for VERMAKO's double-walled foil conservatories, the convictions on this issue were revised and the relevant legislation will be amended. Article 6 of the relevant building application was also expanded. It is significant for VERMAKO's expertise and experience that such a change in legislation is initiated on the basis of a private initiative.