What The Law Says...
Both domestic and non-domestic buildings in the UK are required to have passive fire protection.
There are different rules for achieving the necessary level of fire resistance in both existing and new build structures.
For example, any new build, modernisation or extension works must comply with The Building Regulations 2010, Fire Safety,
Approved Document B. Requirement B3 sets out:
“Where reasonably necessary to inhibit the spread of fire within the building, measures shall be taken,
to an extent appropriate to the size and intended use of the building, comprising either or both of the following –
(a) sub-division of the building with fire-resisting construction;
(b) installation of suitable automatic fire suppression systems.
The building shall be designed and constructed so that the unseen spread of fire and smoke within concealed spaces in its structure and
fabric is inhibited.”
10.2 of the Regulations sets out the requirements for the protection of openings and fire-stopping so as to
inhibit the spread of fire: “If a fire-separating element is to be effective, every joint or imperfection of fit,
or opening to allow services to pass through the element, should be adequately protected by
sealing or fire-stopping so that the fire resistance of the element is not impaired.”
10.7 also says, “joints between fire-separating elements should be fire-stopped;
all openings for pipes, ducts, conduits or cables to pass through any part of a fire-separating element should be:
a) kept as few in number as possible; and
b) kept as small as practicable; and
c) fire-stopped (which, in the case of a pipe or duct, should allow thermal movement).”
Examples of Fireproofing
Fire Doors
A fire door is a door with a fire-resistance rating used as part of a passive fire protection system to reduce the
spread of fire and smoke between separate compartments of a structure and to enable safe egress from a building.
Fire doors are given a fire-resistance rating, and are usually made of a combination of glass, gypsum, steel, timber and aluminium.
They are designed to be kept closed, and any gaps between the wall and the door must be filled with a fire resistant sealant.
Fire Compartmentation
Fire compartmentation is an important element of passive fire protection and is achieved by dividing the premises
into ‘fire compartments’ through the use of fire doors (as mentioned above), floors and walls of fire-resisting construction,
cavity barriers within roof voids and fire stopping to services that penetrate through these dividing elements.
Providing compartmentation to current Building Regulation and British Standards requirements:
- Prevents the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases
- Subdivides buildings into manageable areas of risk
- Provides adequate means of escape enabling time for the occupants to safely evacuate the premises
Did you know.... The most common identified cause of death from a fire incident is being overcome
by gas or smoke or toxic fumes. In 2012, fire and rescue services (source: DLCG National Statistics Great Britain Fire Statistics)
reported 380 fire related fatalities of which
130 people died because of this cause, accounting for 34% of all fatalities.
A further 74 (19%) fatalities were attributed jointly to both burns and being overcome by gas or smoke.
Where an escape route needs to be separated from the rest of the premises by fire-resisting construction
e.g. a dead-end corridor or protected stairway the following compartmentation should be ensured:
- Doors (including hatches to cupboards, ducts and vertical shafts linking floors), walls, floors and ceilings protecting
escape routes should be capable of resisting the passage of smoke and fire for long enough to enable people to escape the building.
- Where suspended or false ceilings are provided, the fire resistance should extend up to the floor slab level above.
- Cavity barriers, fire stopping and dampers in ducts should be appropriately installed.
Dry & Wet Risers
A dry riser is normally an empty pipe that can be externally connected to a pressurised water source by firefighters.
A wet riser is normally a pre-charged pipe with fire pumps and tank already installed.
All covered under the British Standard BSEN9990:2015 for design, install and maintenance.
Sprinklers
Automatic Fire Sprinklers Systems are the most widely used fire protection system today.
All covered under the British Standard BSEN12845:2015 for design, install and maintenance.
Fire Hydrants & Fire Extinguishers
Fire hydrants are tested for signs of leakage that might impair it for firefighting purposes.
Using a standpipe, hydrant bar and key to measure the pressure of the mains,
carry out a flow test and record the residual pressure and flow results.
All covered under the British Standard BSEN9990:2015.
Fire Curtains & Dampers
A fire curtain is used in open plan and complex buildings; fire curtains compartmentalise space in the same way that fire doors do.
They drop down and seal an area off, containing the fire from floor to ceiling, within the perimeter of the curtain (or curtains).
A Fire damper forms part of a passive fire protection system and is used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ducts
to prevent the spread of fire inside the ductwork through fire-resistance rated walls and floors.
Fire Dampers are designed for the purpose of preventing the spread of flames across a rated barrier.
A fire damper is installed within the duct where the duct intersects the barrier.
They operate using a heat sensitive device that, when activated, melts and causes the damper components to close thus stopping the spread
of the fire.
