Essential Fire Protection and Safety Standards for Modern Environments
- Valentina Bosenko
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
In a world increasingly focused on safety, sustainability, and operational continuity, fire protection and functional safety standards stand as vital pillars for both everyday businesses and specialized industries. Whether operating a manufacturing plant, managing a building’s construction, or developing sophisticated machinery, adopting the latest standards is not just about compliance—it’s a strategic investment in risk reduction and business scalability. In this article, we delve into three foundational international standards that elevate fire protection and safety: EN IEC 60335-2-108:2026, SIST EN 1364-6:2025, and SIST EN 62061:2021/kprA2:2025. Each offers targeted, practical specifications for different facets of environmental and occupational safety, ensuring a robust framework for today’s dynamic operational risks.
Overview / Introduction
Fire protection and safety are not abstract regulatory concerns—they are tangible, day-to-day realities that directly impact public safety, business reputation, and operational scalability. Across sectors including manufacturing, building construction, facilities management, and machinery production, leveraging internationally recognized safety requirements mitigates liabilities, supports insurance requirements, and can even form the basis for competitive differentiation. Modern standards in the environment sector serve a dual purpose: they guide manufacturing and engineering to best practices while providing clear criteria for compliance audits and insurance.
In this comprehensive guide, we will unpack:
The scope and practical impact of each featured standard
Who these standards are designed to protect and empower
Their core requirements, including unique technical elements
Implementation strategies and business benefits
By exploring these forward-facing protection against fire standards, professionals across industries can foster safer environments, ensure asset protection, and unlock pathways for business growth.
Detailed Standards Coverage
EN IEC 60335-2-108:2026 – Safety for Electrolysers in Household and Similar Appliances
Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2-108: Particular Requirements for Electrolysers
This standard is a crucial specification for the safety of electrolysers, which are engineered to produce low-viscosity, ionized liquids for use as detergent-free wash water in household and similar electrical appliances. These devices are increasingly adopted in both private and commercial environments, from advanced washing machines to professional laundries seeking greener, chemical-free solutions. The standard covers electrolysers with a rated voltage not exceeding 250 V, evaluated under the most severe expected conditions.
Key requirements include:
Design and construction guidelines to limit exposure to electrical, mechanical, and thermal dangers
Marking, instructions, and user safety information
Assessment of electrical insulation, heating, leakage current, and endurance under operational and abnormal scenarios
Specific tests for moisture resistance, fire resistance, and component durability
Consideration for battery-operated appliances and elastomeric part durability
Who needs to comply:
Manufacturers of household appliances (especially laundry systems)
Commercial laundries and facilities managers
Appliance testing organizations and certification bodies
Implementing this standard ensures that electrolysers perform reliably and safely, protecting end-users from electrocution, burns, or malfunction—while addressing sustainability priorities through the use of ionized water.
Key highlights:
Comprehensive protection against electrical, thermal, and fire hazards
Incorporation of the latest advancements in household appliance safety (aligned with IEC 60335-1:2020)
Enhanced reliability, supporting user confidence and compliance with insurance and regulatory inspection frameworks
Access the full standard: View EN IEC 60335-2-108:2026 on iTeh Standards
SIST EN 1364-6:2025 – Fire Resistance Tests for Open-State Cavity Barriers
Fire Resistance Tests for Non-Loadbearing Elements – Part 6: Open-State Cavity Barriers
Fire safety in modern building construction requires not only active measures (like sprinklers) but robust passive protection. Open-state cavity barriers are specialized elements found within ventilated façades, roof eaves, and rainscreen cladding systems; these components remain open for ventilation during normal operation, but close or resist fire during an incident. SIST EN 1364-6:2025 delineates the test methods for assessing their ability to prevent the spread of fire and smoke within concealed spaces.
Core specifications address:
Full-scale fire resistance testing for both horizontally and vertically oriented barriers
Pressure and heating conditions that simulate real-life fire exposure
Criteria for insulation, structural integrity, and closure performance
Requirements for specimen installation, instrumentation, observation, and reporting
Applicability to ventilated façade barriers and exclusions for closed or penetration-sealed barriers (covered under different standards)
Who is impacted:
Building designers, architects, and façade engineers
Construction companies installing ventilated wall or roof systems
Manufacturers of fire-resistant building elements
Compliance with SIST EN 1364-6:2025 demonstrates a commitment to modern building safety, peace of mind for property developers and tenants, and alignment with local regulatory fire codes.
Key highlights:
Specifically tailored to contemporary building methods and ventilated facades
Rigorous test definitions enabling accurate specification, product comparison, and third-party certification
Protects lives and assets by constraining undetected fire and smoke migration within buildings
Access the full standard: View SIST EN 1364-6:2025 on iTeh Standards
SIST EN 62061:2021/kprA2:2025 – Functional Safety for Safety-Related Control Systems (Amendment 2)
Amendment 2 – Safety of Machinery – Functional Safety of Safety-Related Control Systems
As automation and machinery become more advanced, the interface between fire protection and operational safety grows increasingly complex. SIST EN 62061:2021/kprA2:2025 provides updated, rigorous criteria for the functional safety of safety-related control systems in machinery. This amendment refines the standard’s approach to systematically identifying and managing risks associated with electrical, electronic, and programmable safety functions.
Principal aspects covered:
Enhanced requirements for system design, verification, and validation
Definition of safety integrity levels (SIL) based on hazard analysis and risk assessment
Demanding lifecycle management from design to decommissioning, including required documentation and change control
Loss-prevention strategies that ensure safe shutdown or mitigation in the event of abnormal operations, including those triggered by fire or electrical failure
Integration with harmonized European and international fire and safety standards
Best suited for:
Machinery manufacturers (industrial robotics, process plants, factories)
System integrators in automation and control industries
Plant operators and safety engineering consultants
Compliance with this amendment improves overall machine reliability and operator safety, fulfills manufacturer obligations under the Machinery Directive (and similar global regimes), and underpins robust risk management programs for insurance eligibility.
Key highlights:
Forward-looking update incorporating new technical learnings and best practices
Practical support for integrating safety functions with existing automation
Direct benefits for legal conformity, reputation, and incident reduction
Access the full standard: View SIST EN 62061:2021/kprA2:2025 on iTeh Standards
Industry Impact & Compliance
Adopting fire protection and safety standards is foundational to responsible, future-proof business management. For manufacturers, construction firms, machine builders, and even property managers, these standards:
Satisfy regulatory and insurance requirements
Protect employee and public safety
Reduce unplanned downtime, repair costs, and legal liabilities
Offer clear benchmarks for supplier and service provider qualification
In many sectors, adoption of these recognized international standards is not just advantageous but mandatory—particularly when selling across borders, bidding on major projects, or addressing sustainability priorities. Third-party certification according to these benchmarks adds credibility, transparency, and a competitive edge in safety-focused markets.
The risks of non-compliance range from failed inspections and business interruption to legal penalties and severe brand damage in the aftermath of an incident. Early and ongoing investment in standards-based solutions, by contrast, enables companies to scale, innovate, and operate with confidence.
Implementation Guidance
Common Approaches
Begin with a gap analysis: Determine current process and product status relative to the requirements of the applicable standard(s).
Engage qualified expertise: Work with certified safety professionals, engineers, or accredited labs familiar with the nuances of the target standards.
Integrate compliance into design: Embed fire protection, safety, and risk mitigation at the concept stage—retrofitting is costly, time-consuming, and often less effective.
Document thoroughly: Maintain comprehensive records of design, testing, and operational processes in alignment with audit and certification demands.
Commit to ongoing training and review: Staff awareness, periodic drills, and reviews ensure that standards aren’t just on paper but operational realities.
Best Practices
Use accredited laboratories for all safety and fire testing.
Choose products and subcomponents that already bear the relevant marks of conformity.
Stay updated by subscribing to relevant standards organizations or platforms (such as iTeh Standards).
Participate in industry forums to remain aware of forthcoming changes and evolving best practices.
Resources
Organizations can find:
Detailed standards and supporting technical documents at online standards platforms
Guidance and training through professional associations
Consultation and audit support from ISO/IEC and national bodies
Conclusion / Next Steps
Fire protection and functional safety standards are indispensable for building resilience, trust, and sustainable long-term operations—regardless of an organization’s size or sector. By embracing the requirements of EN IEC 60335-2-108:2026, SIST EN 1364-6:2025, and SIST EN 62061:2021/kprA2:2025, businesses stand to enhance safety, regulatory alignment, technical reliability, and reputational strength.
We encourage all stakeholders—from facility managers and construction executives to product designers and safety engineers—to not only adopt but actively champion these standards across their value chains. Your investment today in recognized fire protection and safety specifications will pay dividends in operational excellence, compliance assurance, and business growth tomorrow.
To access the complete requirements and ensure your business remains at the forefront of industry best practices, follow the links below for the official, up-to-date documentation on iTeh Standards.
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