Mobile walls
Wall claddings
A fire wall is a fire separation element that must meet the fire resistance requirements set forth in building codes. This applies to both fixed and movable walls. The choice of system determines the scope of design documentation, building acceptance conditions, and spatial layout options. Below is an overview of applicable regulations, EI fire resistance classes, and technical requirements for commercial buildings.
The primary legal act is Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of April 12, 2002, on the technical requirements to be met by buildings and their location (Journal of Laws 2002, No. 75, Item 690, as amended) . The regulation defines the fire resistance classes for buildings (A through E), the permissible sizes of fire compartments, and the required fire resistance classes for fire-separating elements, including walls.
The following are in effect at the same time the Act of August 24, 1991, on Fire Protection, and the Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration on Fire Protection of Buildings, Other Structures, and Premises . In the context of wall system design, it is important to EN 13501-2, which defines fire resistance classes based on laboratory tests under standard fire conditions.
In design practice , an architect must take three variables into account:
All of these parameters are directly derived from the technical specifications and are verified by a fire safety expert during the design review phase.
The fire resistance classes of building components are designated by a combination of letters and numbers. For fire-resisting walls, the designation EI is used, where the letter E denotes fire resistance (the ability to contain flames and hot gases), and the letter I denotes fire insulation (limitation of temperature rise on the unheated side of the element). The numbers indicate the protection time in minutes under standard fire conditions.
Attention! The table below provides approximate values for specific types of structures. The exact fire resistance class required is specified in the construction design.
| Class | Protection Time | Typical Applications in Commercial Buildings |
| EI30 | 30 minutes | Low-rise Class D and E buildings – less stringent fire compartmentation requirements |
| EI60 | 60 minutes | Class B and C buildings: office buildings, hotels, public facilities |
| EI120 | 120 minutes | Class A high-rise and skyscraper buildings, special-purpose facilities |
In design practice for Class B and C office buildings, the most commonly required fire resistance rating is EI60, while for low-rise Class D and E buildings, it is EI30. The specific requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis by the construction design agreed upon with a fire safety expert, not by the manufacturer’s selection.
A fire-resistant partition wall, whether fixed or movable, must meet several requirements collectively, which are verified during the building acceptance inspection:
Documentation Required for Building Inspection includes at least:
Any deviation from the approved installation documentation may invalidate the system’s fire rating.
Traditionally, fire separation has been provided by fixed walls: masonry, concrete, or drywall systems. Movable wall systems with a certified fire resistance rating allow for the design of flexible spaces that also meet fire safety requirements.
| Feature | Fixed fire wall | Mobile fire wall |
| Space Division | Permanent – no flexibility | Flexible – can be opened and closed |
| Available EI classes | EI30 to EI240 | EI30 (certified mobile systems) |
| ITB certification required | Yes | Yes – separate testing for the mobile system |
| Sealing of Joints | Permanent, built-in | Automatic – lip and brush sealers |
| Typical Applications | Stairwells, warehouses, hospitals | Conference rooms, hotels, event centers |
The most important requirement for a movable system to achieve a fire rating is the tightness of the joints between segments and the complete sealing of the top and bottom of the panel. In movable systems, this is achieved by lip seals that lower automatically when the segment is stopped in the closed position – a solution verified as part of the EN 13501-2 classification test.
Optimal Poland manufactures the OPTIMAL 110 Plus Fire EI30—a mobile sliding partition wall with ITB certification and a confirmed fire resistance rating of EI30 according to EN 13501-2. The system allows for the design of spaces that, under normal conditions, function as open areas or are divided into smaller segments, and in the event of a fire, form an effective barrier that limits the spread of fire and smoke.
The OPTIMAL 110 Plus Fire EI30 system is designed for commercial buildings that require both functional flexibility and compliance with fire safety requirements. Applications include:
BIM objects for the OPTIMAL 110 Plus Fire EI30 system are available on the BIMobject platform, which allows architects to import the element directly into the design model along with its complete technical documentation. The ITB certification and the declaration of performance are available upon request from the manufacturer.
Projects that have utilized Optimal Poland’s fire protection systems include, among others, the Focus Hotel, the Gromada Hotel, and the Lublin Conference Center.
See the full list and descriptions of Optimal mobile wall installations.
Designing fire compartments requires close collaboration between the architect and the fire safety expert as early as the conceptual phase. The standard process consists of four stages:
Contact us to receive the complete technical documentation for Optimal Poland systems: installation diagrams, specifications, ITB certification, and declarations of performance. You can also use the BIMobject platform.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of questions and answers to the questions designers ask us most often.
Yes, provided that it has an ITB certification confirming the fire resistance of the movable system in the required EI class. A certification for a fixed wall is not sufficient, as movable systems require separate classification tests that take into account the specific characteristics of the joints between segments and the top and bottom seals.
The required EI class depends on the building’s fire resistance class, which is determined by its height and intended use. For low-rise office buildings (up to 12 m) in Class D, EI30 is typically required; for mid-rise buildings in Classes B and C, EI60 is required. The exact requirements are specified in each case by the construction design agreed upon with a fire safety expert—there is no single value that applies to all office buildings.
An ITB (Institute of Building Technology) certification is a national technical assessment confirming that a given building system meets the requirements of Polish building code. For fire separation elements, the ITB certification is required to supplement the European fire classification according to EN 13501-2 —it confirms compliance with national technical requirements and is verified by the building inspectorate during the final inspection of the facility.
The cost of a mobile fire wall depends on several factors: the EI rating, the dimensions and number of segments, the surface finish, and the storage method. Mobile fire protection systems are more expensive than standard mobile systems due to structural requirements (seals, fire-resistant core, and fire-rated overhead guides). Pricing is determined on a case-by-case basis, and the starting point for a full quote may be Optimal Poland Online Configurator. We also invite you to contact us directly.
Yes, a fire-resistant partition wall must ensure continuous protection over the full height of the floor., from the floor to the ceiling or to a tightly sealed space above the suspended ceiling. Any gap, unsealed service penetration, or crack in the ceiling area may prevent the required EI rating from being achieved and must be verified by a fire safety inspector prior to final building inspection.
