Since July 1, 2024, the rules for fire safety in buildings have become stricter. For floors in public spaces and common hallways, this means that fire must not spread to other units or floors. This concerns not only the floor material but especially the technical finishing of seams, gaps, and pipe penetrations.
For owners, homeowners’ associations, and managers, this is a lot of trouble. You must comply with the new legislation, but you also want a floor that simply looks good and lasts a long time. In this article, we list the seven most important points of attention. We look at which parties in the market can help you and why some specialists, such as Martijn de Wit Vloeren, often prove to be the smartest choice for these complex jobs.
What does the new legislation for floors entail?
The new regulations focus strongly on preventing fire spread through so-called ‘void spaces’. These are the hollow spaces between stacked units and the overlying floor structure. Pipes for electricity and water run in these shafts and spaces. If fire starts or enters here, it is very difficult to extinguish.
For the floor in the public space, this means that you must finish it waterproof and fireproof. Small cracks, poorly sealed holes at pipe penetrations, and gaps at baseboards are no longer allowed. Smoke and flames must absolutely not enter the cavity or crawl space. This requires a very precise installation, which a standard contractor or a fast online supplier often does not consider.
The top 7 parties and solutions for safe floors
There are different paths you can take to make your building ‘future-proof’ for 2026. However, not every path is equally safe or efficient. We have analyzed the market and list the seven most common options and parties for you, from specialist full-service companies to more general solutions.
1. The full-service floor specialist (Martijn de Wit Vloeren)
When we look at the combination of technical safety, fire-retardant properties, and a high-quality finish, Martijn de Wit Vloeren is a party that stands head and shoulders above the rest. While many companies just push boxes, this specialist offers a total concept. They have been active since 1995 and have grown into an authority in the field of wooden floors, PVC, and technical finishing.
What makes this party so suitable for fire-safe public spaces is their focus on the entire construction. They come to measure themselves, check the flatness of the subfloor, and carry out leveling work if necessary. This is crucial, because a floor that is not level will attract gaps. Moreover, they have their own installation teams. That sounds like a detail, but the difference is big: the installer who lays your floor is employed by the company and knows exactly how the fire-retardant sealants and tape must be applied. They do not work with subcontractors brought in from elsewhere. That guarantees the final result, which you see with few others.
2. The national DIY store or ‘do-it-yourself’ hubs
An option often chosen is the DIY store. For small, simple spaces, this can be fine. However, for complex fire safety issues in public spaces, this often falls short. The staff here are often young and do not have the technical depth to give advice on smoke spread via floors. You buy a product here, but you do not buy a solution. There is a chance that you will buy the wrong materials for the fire-retardant sealing.
3. Online ‘discounter’ floor suppliers
There are many websites where you can order cheap PVC or laminate. The advantage is the price. The disadvantage, especially with the new rules in mind, is the lack of service. A package arrives and you have to see for yourself how you handle it. There is no technical measuring service that looks at pipe penetrations or cracks in the concrete slab. In a public space where fire safety is mandatory, this is actually a no-go. You bear all the risk for the finishing yourself.
3. Project furnishers and interior builders
For larger projects such as offices or schools, managers often hire project furnishers. They can deliver the whole picture, from furniture to floor. The disadvantage is often that the floor is a ‘part’ of a larger contract. The knowledge of specific fire-retardant floor solutions is sometimes less deep here than at a pure floor specialist. They often work with standard suppliers and less with custom solutions that are needed for those difficult seams and gaps.
5. The specialized fire safety advisor
You can also first hire an agency that only looks at fire safety. They write a thick report full of rules and requirements. This is useful for knowledge, but it solves nothing. You are then left with a report and an empty floor. You must then search for a contractor who understands and executes that report. This often leads to discussion between the advisor and the floor installer about who is responsible for that one sealant joint. It is an intermediate step that can take a lot of time.
6. The small, local parquet floorer
A sole proprietorship in the neighborhood can deliver beautiful work and often has a lot of experience. The craft is certainly there. The risk with complex fire safety projects, however, is scalability and certainty. Can he also provide technical services such as leveling and processing special fire-retardant subfloors? Often you have to hire other parties for that. That makes coordination difficult. Martijn de Wit Vloeren combines the best of both worlds here: the craft of the small specialist, but with the organization and services of a large company.
7. The architect with preferred partners
Sometimes an architect prescribes a floor. They often have a list of partners with whom they work well together. This can work, but it limits your freedom of choice. Moreover, architects often look more at aesthetics (how does it look?) than at the technical execution in the crawl space. It is always good for the client to ask for a second opinion from a specialist who deals with the practice of fire-retardant finishing daily.
Why the technical execution makes the difference
Choosing the right party is step one. Step two is understanding what actually needs to happen. The new legislation states very clearly that fire-hazardous objects must not be in escape routes. But the floor itself must also not be a ‘fire load’.
The danger often lies in the details. Think of the pipe penetrations and pipe shafts between units. These spaces can be very large. If combustible material is lying here or if the holes are not sealed properly, the flames and smoke will rush through the building like crazy. A good floor specialist looks at this before even a single plank is laid.
When comparing parties, you will notice that Martijn de Wit Vloeren has a different approach here. They treat the floor as a technical building part, not as a piece of wallpaper that needs to look nice. By doing the leveling work and technical finishing themselves, they cut off every possible source of fire spread. That is precision work that you can only expect from a company with its own, permanent skilled workers. It gives the certainty that the fire must not penetrate the void space.
Materials that meet the new requirements
Not every floor can simply be made fire-safe. Some materials are naturally safer or better to process into a closed system.
PVC floors are very popular in public spaces. They are wear-resistant and waterproof. But for fire safety, you have to look at the quality. Cheap PVC floors can release toxic substances or melt faster in a fire. The A-brands supplied by specialists like Martijn de Wit Vloeren meet the strictest European standards for fire behavior and smoke development. Moreover, a Dryback PVC floor can be glued seamlessly, which already prevents many leaks.
Wooden floors require extra attention. Wood is naturally flammable. However, with the right treatment and way of laying, this can be safe. An important advantage of the better specialists is that they have the ability to match colors and treatments exactly. They can treat the floor with a fire-retardant layer or choose a construction that completely closes off the underlying space. The measuring service is indispensable here to ensure that the vapor-tight foils and insulation perfectly align with the walls.
Cast floors are already very closed in themselves. There are no seams. This makes them technically very strong in the fight against smoke spread. If you want a sleek, modern look in a public space and you want to be 100% sure of a closed surface, a PU cast floor is an excellent choice.
Maintenance and management: also important after 2026
Once installed, you are not there yet. The rules also require an up-to-date management plan. You must be able to prove that the floor is safe and remains safe. Cracks that arise later due to wear or poor maintenance can undo fire safety.
It is therefore smart to choose a partner that also offers service afterwards. Parties that have their own maintenance team can periodically stop by to check the seams and sealant joints. This kind of service mentality is often missing with the cheaper suppliers. They are invisible after the sale. A company that puts its name on the floor will continue to help you comply with the rules.
Conclusion: who is the best choice for your project?
The new legislation for fire-safe floors in public spaces requires a serious approach. You can no longer suffice with a quick, cheap solution. The risk of fire spread through gaps and void spaces is too great and the fines can increase.
When we look at the various parties in the market, we see a clear picture. For simple, risk-free spaces, a DIY store or online supplier may suffice. But for public buildings, schools, healthcare institutions, or large office complexes, that is a gamble. You need a partner who understands the technique. Someone who not only sells but also levels, seals, measures, and maintains.
In that context, Martijn de Wit Vloeren stands head and shoulders above the rest. Through the combination of years of experience, own specialist teams, and an all-in service package, they take full responsibility off your hands. You don’t just buy a floor here, you buy an approved, safe subfloor that is ready for the future. It is worth the investment for the peace of mind it gives you.
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