FOCUS
Safer build Andy Walsh talks us through key principles
to consider regarding passive fire protection, ahead of successfully incorporating them into a fire safety strategy
structure, it’s clear to see that minimising the risk of fi re is a critical issue to manage. Architects, specifi ers and contractors have a responsibility to build with an effective fi re safety strategy in mind. And yet, with the available types of active and passive fire products to be considered, fire protection is a highly technical and complex issue to comprehend.
W Passive fi re protection
Whilst ‘active’ measures such as sprinklers and fi re extinguishers might be more familiar to many, passive components are less visible and incorporated into the framework and fabric of the building – but equally critical in the role of slowing fi re spread at source. Passive fire protection is about dividing a building into compartments – usually determined by fl oors and walls. The aim is to ensure that these compartments are fully
34 JUNE 2018
www.frmjournal.com
HEN WE are designing, specifying, constructing or refurbishing a building, or a large commercial
separated and therefore contain a fi re in a small area, should it break out. But cavities, voids and general penetrations through walls and fl oors can compromise the fi re resistance of the compartment. Passive fi re protection products are used to seal such cavities, and help to slow the spread of fire and smoke from compartment to compartment. Where penetrations and cavities are concerned, pipe wraps, pipe collars and construction sealants are important. Doorways need special attention, not just in the choice of door, but also in the correct choice of door seals. Indeed, this latter consideration is proving
to be of concern in a high percentage of cases, with over 61% of installed fire doors having problems with their fire or smoke seals (according to the Fire Door Inspection Scheme).
Put simply, not giving proper attention to
passive fi re protection risks both lives and greater building damage. It should be a fundamental consideration for every new building project.
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