What is Passive Fire Protection?
Passive fire protection (PFP) refers to a group of systems that compartmentalise a building through the use of fire-resistant walls, floors, and doors. Unlike active fire protection systems such as sprinklers and fire alarms, passive fire protection doesn't require any action or motion to work – it's built into the structure of the building itself.
The primary purpose of PFP is to contain fires within a specific area, limiting the spread of flames and smoke throughout a building. This containment gives occupants more time to evacuate safely and allows firefighters better access to tackle the blaze.
Why is Passive Fire Protection So Important?
In the event of a fire, every second counts. Passive fire protection provides crucial benefits that can mean the difference between life and death:
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Extended Evacuation Time: By containing fire to its area of origin, PFP gives building occupants more time to evacuate safely.
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Reduced Property Damage: Compartmentalisation prevents fire from spreading throughout an entire building, minimising overall damage.
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Safer Firefighting Conditions: Emergency responders can work more effectively when fire spread is limited and predictable.
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Structural Integrity: Intumescent coatings and fire-resistant materials protect structural elements, preventing building collapse.
Types of Passive Fire Protection
There are several key components that make up a comprehensive passive fire protection system:
1. Fire Stopping
Fire stopping involves sealing openings and joints in fire-resistant walls and floors. These openings are typically created to allow services such as pipes, cables, and ducts to pass through. Without proper fire stopping, these penetrations become pathways for fire and smoke to spread between compartments.
2. Fire Barriers and Cavity Barriers
Fire barriers are walls designed to restrict the spread of fire within a building. Cavity barriers are specifically used to close hidden voids in construction where fire could spread undetected, such as in roof spaces, floor voids, and behind cladding systems.
3. Intumescent Coatings
Intumescent coatings are applied to structural steel to protect it from fire. When exposed to heat, these coatings expand dramatically (up to 50 times their original thickness) to form an insulating char layer that protects the steel underneath from reaching critical temperatures.
4. Fire Doors
Fire doors are specially designed and tested to resist fire for a specified period (typically 30 or 60 minutes). They form a crucial part of compartmentalisation, allowing safe passage while preventing fire spread between areas.
UK Regulations and Compliance
In the UK, passive fire protection is governed by several key regulations:
- Building Regulations Approved Document B: Sets out the fire safety requirements for buildings in England.
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: Places responsibility on building owners and managers to assess and mitigate fire risks.
- Fire Safety Act 2021: Strengthens requirements following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, particularly for high-rise residential buildings.
Important Note
All passive fire protection work should be carried out by certified contractors and properly documented. Third-party certification schemes like FIRAS ensure that work meets required standards.
How We Can Help
At Passive Fire And Access, we specialise in all aspects of passive fire protection. Our team of certified professionals can help with:
- Fire risk assessments and compartmentation surveys
- Fire stopping installation and remediation
- Cavity barrier installation
- Intumescent coating application
- Full documentation and certification