Fire safety is the sum of many factors. At Peikko, we focus on designing structures and materials that ensure buildings remain safe and stable, allowing occupants ample time to evacuate. For over three decades, we have transformed theoretical fire safety requirements into tangible, tested solutions that structural engineers, architects, and developers can rely on.
When regulation meets reality
It all began with fulfilling requirements. When we developed DELTABEAM®, a steel-composite beam, over 30 years ago, the importance of fire safety became particularly evident. The beam’s load-bearing lower flange is directly exposed to rapid temperature increases during fires, prompting the need to ensure its safety under such conditions. “Initially, we approached this through calculations,” explains Raimo Lehtinen, a Business Director with over 20 years at Peikko. “Then, we demonstrated with simple load tests that the beam could carry fire loads even without its lower flange. Since then, DELTABEAM® has successfully passed dozens of tests worldwide without a single failure. This documentation helps engineers and architects understand real-world performance rather than merely meeting regulatory compliance.”
Peikko’s first fire test, conducted in the 1990s at a laboratory in Braunschweig, Germany, examined temperature increases under standard fire conditions. A few years later, load tests at VTT’s fire laboratory in Finland revealed that fire resistance could be improved by incorporating fire-reinforcement bars within the beam. As export activities expanded, Danish requirements led to Peikko’s first fire tests in adherence with Eurocode standards and signaling a shift toward standardized European fire safety requirements.
Evolution of solutions
Fire safety requirements have evolved significantly. In the early 1990s, not all structural applications required fire protection. “Fire safety has gained increasing attention in recent years. Although standards drive demand, they ultimately arise from customer needs. Our task is to determine how best to fulfill them,” notes Lehtinen.
Products that were initially not designed for fire resistance are now explicitly developed to handle fire loads. For example, Peikko’s hollow-core slab hanger, now known as PETRA®, initially did not require fire protection. When regulations changed, Peikko evolved beyond fire-resistant paint to feature modified connector designs with integrated fire-reinforcement bars, achieving an R90 rating. The current PETRA® R120 version features improved positioning of fire bars for slower temperature development.
“When a new product is being designed and developed, fire resistance is integrated from the outset in material choices and structure,” explains Lehtinen. “It’s one of the starting points to consider.”
Proven performance
Peikko’s approach blends computational methods and physical testing. Whenever feasible, we use fire-condition calculations to demonstrate sufficient resistance times. When verification requires product testing, structures are loaded under standard fire conditions following specific temperature rise curves. The test method is comparable to automotive crash tests, demonstrating structural performance under catastrophic situations. The testing protocols are rigorous: structures may deform but must not collapse, with each test designed to assess specific time durations.
Peikko’s commitment to fire resistance verification has been persistent and comprehensive, utilizing various methodologies and substantial investments in both time and resources. Positioning products optimally within concrete, considering efficient material use, enhances structural load-bearing duration during standard fire scenarios. The longer the structure withstands fire, the higher the chances that building occupants can reach safety and rescue personnel can initiate firefighting efforts safely. Regulatory guidelines for structural fire resistance continue to direct the development of our products and solutions. Over the years, Peikko has been a pioneer in developing increasingly fire-safe connection components, thus contributing significantly to ensuring the adequate fire resistance of load-bearing structures.
The results speak for themselves: Peikko’s three-decade investment in fire safety research has led to products with proven performance, offering peace of mind when structural integrity is crucial. As Lehtinen emphasizes, “Products are verified as fire-resistant through calculations, theoretical applications, and extensive testing, making structures safe and reliable for designers, users, and rescue personnel alike.”
“Our testing isn’t about boasting,” Lehtinen clarifies, “but about ensuring safety. The aim is straightforward: we want to deliver practical solutions that can be trusted, even when the unexpected happens.”