Fire safety for data centres in the Netherlands
Data centres combine large fire compartments, a high concentration of electrical equipment and batteries, and strict demands on uptime. Fire safety has to protect people and the building without getting in the way of continuous operation. We help developers, operators and engineering firms meet the Dutch Building Decree (Bbl) with a design that works for the facility, from the first concept to the permit and beyond.
Why data centres are different
- Large fire compartments — data halls often exceed the standard compartment size and need an equivalent solution.
- Batteries and power — UPS and battery rooms, transformers and generator rooms need careful separation from the data halls.
- Continuous operation — detection, suppression and alarm sequences must be reliable and avoid unnecessary shutdowns.
- Few occupants, many visitors — escape routes and alarm procedures must work for staff, contractors and visitors who do not know the building.
- Firefighting access — the fire service needs clear access routes and information in a building with few windows and complex technical areas.
Under the Bbl, a data centre is an industrial use (industriefunctie). That sets the starting point for compartment sizes, escape routes and fire detection.
How we help
- Fire compartmentation and WBDBO calculations — a compartment layout for data halls, power and battery rooms, calculated to NEN 6068.
- Large fire compartments — substantiation of larger data halls as an equivalent solution, using NEN 6060 or the risk-based approach of NEN 6079.
- Fire alarm system specification (NEN 2535) — an independent programme of requirements, coordinated with the suppression system and the evacuation alarm.
- Basis of design documents (UPD) — an independent basis of design (uitgangspuntendocument) for the fire safety installations, such as sprinkler or gas extinguishing systems.
- CFD fire and smoke simulation — smoke spread and smoke extraction in large halls and corridors.
- Escape routes and evacuation capacity — safe escape from data halls and technical areas.
- Building plan assessment and fire safety plan — fire safety in every design phase, through to the permit application.
- Fire safety inspection — checking on site that the fire safety provisions have been built and maintained correctly.
Questions we answer for data centres
- Can the data hall be one fire compartment, and what does that require?
- How should battery, UPS and generator rooms be separated from the rest of the building?
- Which fire alarm coverage is required, and how does it work together with the suppression system?
- How do people escape safely from large halls and technical areas?
- What does the fire service need for access and firefighting?
Experience
We have worked on fire safety designs for data centres, alongside our work for logistics, industry, healthcare, education, offices and residential buildings. Our team of around 20 specialists includes fire safety consultants, engineers and inspectors, and we are SKG-IKOB certified.
How we work
- Intake — we discuss the facility, its phasing and your requirements, including those of your insurer.
- Concept — we set out the fire safety concept: compartments, escape routes, detection and suppression principles.
- Substantiate — we carry out the calculations and, where needed, simulations to support equivalent solutions.
- Permit and support — we prepare the fire safety documents for the permit and stay involved during construction.
Frequently asked questions
When should we involve a fire safety consultant?
As early as possible, ideally during the concept design. Decisions on the compartment layout, the location of battery and power rooms and the escape routes are hard to change later and have a large impact on cost.
Do you design the fire suppression system?
No. We are independent: we set out what the fire alarm and suppression systems must achieve, in a programme of requirements and a basis of design document (UPD). The installer designs and installs the systems. That keeps the specification in your interest only.
Do you work for international operators and developers?
Yes. We work for international organisations operating in the Netherlands and report in English.
Planning a data centre in the Netherlands?
Tell us about your project, location and timeline. We will tell you which fire safety questions to address first and send you a proposal.