BUILDING FABRIC 63
A PROACTIVE STRATEGY ON PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION
John Malone at Kilnbridge Fire Protection explains why passive fi re protection needs to be inserted at early stages of our increasingly complex developments, in order to yield the maximum benefi ts.
s residential developments become more and more complex, developers are taking a more proactive approach to passive fi re protection. ather than viewing fi re stopping as a specialist package delivered during construction, there is growing recognition that successful fi re safety outcomes are shaped much earlier in the project lifecycle.
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From compartmentation strategies and service routes to digital coordination and information management, the foundations for effective passive fi re protection are often established long before installers arrive onsite. As building safety expectations continue to evolve, developers are seeking greater certainty through early engagement, structured coordination and robust digital assurance.
FIRE SAFETY IS A PROJECT-WIDE RESPONSIBILITY assive fi re protection plays a critical role in maintaining compartmentation and supporting a building’s overall fi re strategy, but its success is infl uenced by decisions made throughout design, procurement and construction planning. All too often, contractors are asked to become involved in projects where service penetrations have been coordinated within BI models, yet insuffi cient consideration has been given to how those penetrations will ultimately be sealed using tested and certifi ed systems. Often, discussions around fi re stopping begin after signifi cant service installations have already taken place, limiting the options available to project teams. The reality is that decisions relating to service routes, structural interfaces, facade design and construction seuencing can all infl uence the effective delivery of passive fi re protection. As residential schemes become more technically demanding, fi re stopping can no longer be viewed as an isolated activity. Instead, it relies on effective coordination between designers, contractors, specialists and manufacturers from the outset.
INCREASINGLY, CLIENTS ARE MOVING AWAY FROM FRAGMENTED DELIVERY MODELS AND TOWARDS INTEGRATED APPROACHES
MOVING BEYOND TRADITIONAL DELIVERY MODELS istorically, passive fi re protection has often been incorporated within wider trade packages such as drylining, facades and MEP installations. While this can appear effi cient from a procurement perspective, it can also create challenges around accountability and interface management.
ire protection systems rarely operate in isolation. Service penetrations pass through compartment walls and fl oors, cavity barriers interface with external wall systems, and fi re doors depend on surrounding construction being installed correctly. very interface reuires careful management to ensure fi re performance is maintained. Increasingly, clients are moving away from fragmented delivery models and towards integrated approaches that establish accountability, coordination and technical responsibility much earlier in the project lifecycle. This refl ects
a growing recognition that many fi re safety challenges arise not from product selection, but from gaps in coordination between disciplines.
BRINGING PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION UPSTREAM
One of the most signifi cant developments across the residential sector is the shift of passive fi re protection from construction- stage problem solving towards design- stage coordination.
any historical installation challenges can be traced back to decisions made during design development. By engaging specialist contractors, manufacturers and technical advisors earlier in the process, project teams can identify suitable solutions before construction begins. This allows tested details to be incorporated into project information, improves buildability and reduces programme risk. arly engagement also provides the opportunity to review compartmentation strategies, penetration types, service routes and facade interfaces before they become construction issues, helping developers achieve greater certainty around compliance outcomes.
BETTER FIRE PROTECTION BEGINS IN THE DIGITAL MODEL
Digital technologies are transforming the way passive fi re protection is planned, coordinated and delivered. The industry is seeing greater use of BI-led design reviews to assess service penetrations, compartment requirements, containment systems, ductwork interfaces and fi re ratings long before installation begins. This approach enables project teams to identify potential issues earlier in the programme, when there is greater fl exibility to resolve them. Digital reviews can assess opening dimensions, penetration positioning, system compatibility and fi re resistance requirements before work starts onsite. Where challenges are identifi ed, teams can explore alternative tested solutions, adjust designs or develop engineered solutions supported by
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