What is Passive Fire Protection?

Fire Door

Passive Fire Protection (PFP) is the term given to products and practices that are intended to slow or prevent the spread of fire. The purpose of PFP is to maximise the time available to evacuate a property or prevent a fire from taking hold in the first place.

Passive Fire Protection essentially creates fire resistant compartments within a building – a process known as compartmentation – by using appropriate materials and methods in the construction of the separating walls, floors and ceilings. This contains fire within the individual compartment for a certain period of time, dependent on the design criteria. The main purpose of this is to give occupants time to escape, but also to give the fire services a better chance of containing and extinguishing the fire and possibly saving the building.

Fire Compartmentation

Poor Fire Compartmentation

It stands to reason that if a compartment is working properly, it will contain a fire for the prescribed period of time – say, 60 minutes – before the fire spreads to the next compartment – and so on. As part of a fire strategy this delay in the spread of the fire allows for safe evacuations, even when phased (in hospitals, for example) and will assist emergency services in planning their response to fires in large buildings.

It further stands to reason that if, for any reason, the Passive Fire Protection elements within a building (or it’s compartmentation) fails, then the evacuation and fire containment strategies will be compromised.

Fire doors and ‘fire stopping’ are critical Passive Fire Protection elements within any building and are absolutely key in maintaining effective compartmentation.

Fire Stopping

Fire Stopping is the sealing of weak points in a compartment wall caused by, for example, service pipes or cables passing through a wall, or a linear joint between fire resistant sections. We see so many examples of buildings that have had modifications or repair work done that has resulted in these seals being compromised, or entirely new holes formed and not sealed – and it only takes a matter of minutes for fire to break through even the tiniest of holes. It is crucial that these fire-resistant seals are installed as part of any new or remedial work.

Fire doors are intended to provide the same level of fire resistance as their surrounding walls – but they can only do this if they are closed – and if their fire-resistant components and properties are fully compliant and functional AS A WHOLE. As with fire stopping, even the tiniest flaw in the complete door assembly can be exploited by fire very rapidly.

Although they are classified as ‘passive’ fire safety equipment, fire doors probably need more attention and maintenance than any of the ‘active’ elements (fire alarms, sprinklers and extinguishers). They are complex engineered products that are effective only when all the components are compatible and functional and, because they are in constant use, they really do need regular attention – like any mechanical product.

Lack of Understanding of Passive Fire Protection

Unfortunately, our experience shows us that many organisations and ‘duty holders’ have an alarming absence of understanding of PFP in general and, specifically, fire doors and fire stopping.

The question is – are you, the ‘duty holder’ (or agent/consultant), confident that your Passive Fire Protection is compliant and functional? When was it last inspected by a competent person with relevant, recognised accreditation? Will your insurance pay out if you can’t prove due diligence? Can you afford the loss of your assets, business revenue and reputation caused by a fire like this? Do you want to be prosecuted for fire safety breaches? Most of all, do you want have a fatality or injury on your conscience?

If the answer to any of these questions is NO, then you need to take action.

Fire Door Inspections in Scotland

Worksmart Fire Door Inspection Services
Worksmart Fire Door Inspection Vans

So how can Worksmart Fire Door Inspection help you avoid these scenarios?

We provide a range of services from one off inspections to complete turn-key maintenance contracts – freeing up your time and energy and guaranteeing that you are being duly diligent.

Worksmart is affiliated to and certificated by two UKAS accredited bodies – the FDIS (Fire Door Inspection Scheme), the BM Trada Q Mark Fire Door Maintenance Scheme and the BM Trada Q Mark Fire Stopping Installation Scheme – so you can be sure you have entrusted this safety critical work to properly competent people as defined by law.

All our surveyors and tradespeople are specially trained in the specific requirements for these disciplines and we adhere to strict procedures, including spot checks and verification of methods and materials at key points of every project. We are also regularly audited to ensure our processes and work comply with the requirements of these schemes, but also, and most importantly, comply with the regulations and standards.

Worksmart have developed these services to provide peace of mind to people like you – with responsibility for fire safety – allowing you to focus on driving your business safe in the knowledge that you have done everything you can to ensure the fire safety of your buildings.

If you would to get in touch to find out more, please contact Mark McQuade at [email protected] or call 01563 53 55 11

In the meantime, feel free to browse our website.

You can find us on Twitter and LinkedIn with the following hashtags: ProtectingLivesPreventingLoss #Worksmartworksafe #Firedoormaster #MakeItWorksmart