Fire protection renovation/upgrade encompasses all measures required to restore or increase the safety of structures after a fire event or in the course of a fire protection upgrade. The focus is on the selective deconstruction of damaged components, the creation and upgrading of fire compartments, and the professional execution of fire stops and penetrations. In practice, precise, low-spark, and low-vibration methods play a central role—for example, the use of concrete pulverizers and stone and concrete splitters powered by hydraulic power packs from Darda GmbH.
Definition: What is meant by fire protection renovation/upgrade
Fire protection renovation/upgrade refers to the technical and planning repair and upgrading of buildings and facilities with the aim of restoring the required fire resistance, the functionality of fire and smoke compartments, and the protection of load-bearing structures and escape routes. This includes the targeted deconstruction of fire-damaged construction materials, the repair or renewal of fire-protection-relevant components (e.g., walls, ceilings, service shafts), the professional creation of openings and their fire stopping, as well as the documentation of the achieved protection objectives in accordance with recognized rules of practice.
Goals, tasks, and interfaces of fire protection renovation/upgrade
The renovation pursues several goals: preventing the spread of fire and smoke, preserving or restoring load-bearing capacity, securing escape and rescue routes, and ensuring technical fire protection. It lies at the interface of structural preservation, special deconstruction, and fit-out trades. Selective material removal is essential to remove only what is actually impaired. Tools such as concrete pulverizers and stone and concrete splitters support precise exposure and preparation for subsequent sealing, reprofiling, or coating—low-spark, controlled, and with low vibration.
Typical damage patterns after a fire and their practical implications
Fire exposure alters materials and details. This results in deconstruction and repair tasks:
- Concrete spalling due to thermal gradients; impaired concrete cover and exposed reinforcement.
- Reduced load-bearing capacity due to microstructural damage of the concrete and loss of steel strength at high temperatures.
- Weakened mortar joints in masonry, efflorescence, and smoke condensates in pore spaces.
- Damaged or weakened fire protection linings and coatings, invalidated joints and sealants.
- Service penetration fire stops (cable and pipe penetrations) compromised by the fire event, as well as dissolved compartmentation.
- Contaminated surfaces (soot, PAHs) that must be completely removed or cleaned before reprofiling and coating.
Selective deconstruction and preparation: overview of methods
Concrete pulverizers for controlled removal
Concrete pulverizers allow step-by-step crushing of concrete with high edge control. They are suitable for removing thermally damaged edge zones, exposing reinforcement, and opening local areas in slabs, walls, or columns. Advantages include minimal spark generation, low dust emissions when supplemented with extraction, and the ability to work close to existing elements without undermining them.
Stone and concrete splitters for low-spark, low-vibration deconstruction
Stone and concrete splitters release controlled splitting forces in boreholes and create defined cracks. This method is particularly suitable when vibrations must be minimized, noise reduced, and fire loads not increased by sparks. The targeted fracture path facilitates the removal of damaged segments, for example when renewing fire-protection-relevant wall or ceiling areas.
Combination shears, multi cutters, and steel shears
Combination shears and multi cutters support the separation of mixed components and interior strip-out. Steel shears are helpful for safely shortening reinforcement or metallic inserts during exposure. This function-oriented separation is essential for subsequently applying coatings, linings, or fire stops professionally.
Tank cutters and special operations
In industrial environments, fire protection renovation/upgrade may include the safe dismantling of vessels or pipelines. Tank cutters are used where controlled, preferably low-spark cutting is required and accompanying measures to minimize hazards have been implemented.
Hydraulic power packs as the energy source
Hydraulic power packs from Darda GmbH provide the energy for the tools mentioned. They enable mobile, finely controllable performance—an advantage when working in sensitive areas with limited power connections or strict emission requirements.
Application areas in the context of fire protection renovation/upgrade
- Concrete demolition and special demolition: Selective removal of fire-damaged concrete areas with concrete pulverizers and stone and concrete splitters to upgrade the load-bearing structure.
- Strip-out and cutting: Deconstruction of linings, suspended ceilings, shafts; creating openings for new fire stops and fire doors.
- Rock excavation and tunnel construction: After fires in tunnel structures, low-spark, low-vibration methods are in high demand; splitting technology reduces risks and vibrations.
- Natural stone extraction: Relevant at the margins, e.g., when supplementing or replacing natural stone elements in heritage structures.
- Special operations: Work in critical areas with potentially explosive atmospheres, sensitive facilities, or ongoing operations requires low-emission, precise methods.
Openings and fire stops: professionally creating penetrations
- Planning and approval: define location, size, and fire resistance requirements; coordinate service routing and types of fire stop systems.
- Locating and condition assessment: detect services, reinforcement, and cavities; consider structural stability aspects.
- Preparation: set out drilling patterns; establish dust extraction and temporary containment; implement fire protection measures for the construction phase.
- Creating the opening: use stone and concrete splitters to break out the opening area with minimal cracking; cleanly trim edges with concrete pulverizers.
- Cleaning and substrate preparation: remove soot, loose materials, and contaminated layers; ensure adequate pull-off adhesion.
- Installation and documentation: install fire stop systems in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and recognized rules of practice; photo documentation and labeling.
Material and structural aspects
Concrete
After thermal exposure, spalling, reduced compressive strength, and exposed reinforcement are common. Local deconstruction with concrete pulverizers creates defined edges for reprofiling and corrosion protection. Splitting technology facilitates the removal of larger but carefully limited areas.
Masonry
Leached joints and smoke condensates require selective removal. Splitting technology can be a gentle alternative to percussive methods in highly affected areas.
Steel and composite
Heated steel loses strength; linings and coatings must be renewed. Steel shears enable the separating exposure of profiles without thermal cutting, which reduces the fire load during the work.
Emission, noise, and vibration management
- Dust minimization through extraction and targeted material separation; use water mist only where safe and permitted.
- Low-vibration working methods by means of splitting technology and concrete pulverizers; protection of sensitive existing components and installations.
- Noise reduction through hydraulic instead of percussive methods; observe quiet periods and logistics.
Occupational safety and fire protection during the renovation/upgrade
- Risk assessment and coordination of trades; permits for work, especially in potentially ignitable atmospheres.
- Prefer low-spark methods; take additional precautions when hot work is required.
- Separate work and escape routes; set up temporary smoke and dust containment.
- Continuously monitor load transfer and stability; provide temporary shoring.
Scheduling, quality assurance, and documentation
- Survey and assessment of damage patterns; definition of renovation objectives.
- Method selection: reconcile protection goals, building condition, and operations; select suitable hydraulic tools.
- Trial areas and mock-ups: verify results, adjust boundary conditions.
- Execution with accompanying control: dimensional accuracy of openings, edge quality, substrate cleanliness.
- Completion: labeling, photo documentation, records of materials and methods used.
Sustainability and resource efficiency
Selective methods save material and energy because only zones that are actually impaired are removed. Stone and concrete splitters and concrete pulverizers make it possible to separate components into recoverable fractions and feed secondary raw materials back into use. Short cycle times, precise removal, and minimal secondary damage reduce the overall effort of fire protection renovation/upgrade.