Fire protection is crucial for safeguarding buildings and their occupants. It encompasses both passive and active measures to prevent the spread of fire and ensure safety. This guide provides an in-depth look at passive fire protection, its components, and how it differs from active fire protection.

What Is Active Fire Protection?

Active fire protection (AFP) involves systems and measures that require some form of action or response to detect, suppress, or extinguish fires. These systems are designed to actively combat fires, either automatically or manually, and they work in conjunction with passive fire protection systems to enhance overall fire safety in buildings.

What Is Passive Fire Protection?

Passive fire protection (PFP) refers to a set of building components or systems designed to prevent or slow the spread of fire and smoke without human intervention or active fire suppression measures, such as sprinklers or fire extinguishers. The primary goal of passive fire protection is to protect the structure of a building, ensure the safety of occupants, and provide sufficient time for evacuation and for firefighters to control the fire. Here are some examples of passive fire protection measures:

1. Compartmentation

Compartmentation involves dividing a building into separate fire compartments with fire-resistant walls and floors to contain fire within a limited area and prevent its spread to other parts of the building.

2. Fire Doors

Fire-rated doors are constructed from materials such as steel, timber, or composite materials that can withstand fire for a specified time, typically ranging from 20 minutes to 2 hours.

Intumescent seals are installed around the edges of fire doors and expand when exposed to heat, sealing the gaps and preventing the spread of fire and smoke.

3. Structural Fire Protection

Fireproof coatings can be added. For example, intumescent paints and sprays are applied to structural elements like steel beams and columns to insulate them from high temperatures and maintain structural integrity during a fire.

Steel structures can be encased in concrete to protect them from the effects of fire.

4. Fire Stopping

Fire-resistant materials are designed to withstand high temperatures, limit fire spread, and maintain the structural integrity of a building during a fire. They can be used throughout a building including in the walls, floors, ceilings, doors, and structural elements. 

These materials help to create fire-resistant barriers by sealing gaps, joints, and penetrations in fire-rated walls and floors, maintaining the integrity of the fire barrier. Firestop pillows are flexible, intumescent pads used to seal larger openings around cables and pipes.

Common fire-resistant materials include gypsum, concrete, fire-rated glass, intumescent coatings, and fire-rated doors.

5. Fire Resistant Walls and Floors

More specifically to slowing the spread of fire in the walls and floors of a building, there are a few types of materials used:

• Fire-rated drywall is made up of specially designed gypsum boards that can resist fire for a specified period, often used in walls and ceilings.
• Concrete and masonry walls are dense, non-combustible materials that provide excellent fire resistance.
• Fire-Rated Floor Assemblies are made up of layers of fire-resistant materials used in floor construction to prevent fire spread between levels.

6. Fire-Resistant Glazing

When it comes to glass, it’s best to use specially treated glass that can withstand fire and heat. This fire-rated glass is often used in windows, doors, and partitions. It prevents the spread of flames while maintaining visibility.

You can also use glass with a mesh of wire embedded within it, offering additional resistance to breakage and fire.

7. Smoke Barriers and Seals

Smoke can spread quickly and can be more dangerous than fire due to its ability to impair visibility and cause respiratory issues. To combat the spread of smoke, smoke seals are installed around fire doors. They are there to prevent the passage of smoke as well as toxic gases through the gaps around fire doors. 

Passive Fire Protection Regulations

In the UK, passive fire protection (PFP) regulations are governed by various building standards and codes to ensure the safety of buildings and their occupants. 

These regulations specify the requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of fire protection systems. The key regulations and guidance documents include the Building Regulations 2010, Approved Document B (Fire Safety), BS 9999, and various British Standards.

Listed here is the key regulations and guidance for passive fire protection:

1. The Building Regulations 2010:

Approved Document B (Fire Safety): This is the primary guidance document for fire safety in buildings in England. It is divided into two volumes:

• Volume 1: Dwellings
• Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings

Approved Document B outlines the requirements for fire-resistant construction, fire separation, compartmentalisation, means of escape, fire detection and alarm systems, and access for firefighting.

2. BS 9999: Code of Practice for Fire Safety in the Design, Management, and Use of Buildings:

This British Standard provides recommendations and guidance on the design, management, and use of buildings to achieve acceptable levels of fire safety. It covers various aspects of passive fire protection, including fire-resistant construction, fire compartmentation, and escape routes.

3. BS 476: Fire Tests on Building Materials and Structures:

A series of standards that specify the methods for determining the fire resistance of different building components, such as walls, floors, and doors. Key parts include:

• BS 476-20: Methods for determination of the fire resistance of elements of construction (general principles).
• BS 476-22: Methods for determination of the fire resistance of non-loadbearing elements of construction.

4. Fire Safety Order 2005 (Regulatory Reform):

This legislation applies to all non-domestic premises and requires responsible persons (e.g., employers, owners, or occupiers) to take steps to reduce the risk of fire, including the implementation of suitable fire protection measures.

It includes requirements for fire risk assessments, fire safety policies, and the maintenance of fire safety equipment and systems.

5. Construction Products Regulation (CPR):

Ensures that construction products, including those used for passive fire protection, meet certain performance standards and are appropriately marked (e.g., CE marking).

When Do You Need Passive Fire Protection?

Passive fire protection is essential in various situations and building types to enhance safety and ensure compliance with regulations. Here are some key instances and scenarios where passive fire protection is needed:

1. Compliance with Building Regulations:

Buildings must comply with local building codes and fire safety regulations, such as the Building Regulations 2010 in the UK. These regulations often mandate the use of passive fire protection measures to ensure occupant safety and structural integrity in the event of a fire.

2. New Construction:

All new buildings, whether residential, commercial, or industrial, require passive fire protection measures to be integrated into the design and construction process to meet fire safety standards.

3. Building Renovations and Upgrades:

When renovating or upgrading existing buildings, it is essential to assess and implement necessary passive fire protection measures to comply with current fire safety regulations and enhance the building’s fire resistance.

4. High-Risk Areas:

Buildings or areas with high fire risk, such as industrial facilities, chemical plants, and warehouses storing flammable materials, require robust passive fire protection to prevent fire spread and protect assets.

5. Examples of Occupancy Types that Need Passive Fire Protection:

• Residential Buildings: Multi-family housing, apartment complexes, and high-rise residential buildings need passive fire protection to safeguard occupants and provide safe evacuation routes.
• Commercial Buildings: Offices, shopping centres, and entertainment venues require passive fire protection to protect large numbers of people and valuable property.
• Public Buildings: Schools, hospitals, and government buildings must have passive fire protection measures to ensure the safety of occupants, including vulnerable individuals.

6. Compartmentalisation Requirements:

To limit the spread of fire and smoke, buildings must be divided into fire compartments. This is particularly important in large buildings, high-rises, and complexes with multiple occupancy types.

7. Escape Route Protection:

Passive fire protection is crucial for protecting escape routes, such as corridors, stairwells, and fire exits, ensuring they remain safe and usable during a fire.

8. Structural Protection:

To prevent the collapse of a building during a fire, structural elements like steel beams, columns, and load-bearing walls must be protected with fire-resistant materials.

9. Fire Door Requirements:

Fire doors are essential in preventing the spread of fire and smoke between compartments. They are required in key locations such as stairwells, corridors, and between different fire zones within a building.

10. Historic and Heritage Buildings:

These buildings often require careful integration of passive fire protection measures to preserve their historical value while ensuring modern fire safety standards are met.

When Do You Need Active Fire Protection?

Active fire protection systems are critical in various situations and building types to ensure the safety of occupants and the integrity of structures. Here are key instances and scenarios where active fire protection is needed:

1. Compliance with Building Regulations:

Buildings must adhere to local building codes and fire safety regulations, such as the Building Regulations 2010 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in the UK. These regulations often require the installation of active fire protection systems to detect, alert, and suppress fires.

2. High-Risk Occupancies:

• Residential Buildings: High-rise apartments, multi-family housing, and dormitories often require active fire protection systems to protect residents.
• Commercial Buildings: Offices, shopping centres, hotels, and entertainment venues need AFP systems to safeguard large numbers of occupants and assets.
• Industrial Facilities: Factories, warehouses, and chemical plants, where there are high risks of fire due to the presence of flammable materials or processes.
• Public Buildings: Schools, hospitals, and government buildings, especially those with vulnerable populations, require robust AFP systems.

3. High Occupancy Areas:

Spaces with high occupant density, such as theatres, stadiums, conference centres, and transit hubs, necessitate effective fire detection and suppression systems to ensure safe evacuation and minimise fire spread.

4. Storage of Hazardous Materials:

Facilities that store flammable, explosive, or hazardous materials require AFP systems to detect and suppress fires quickly, preventing catastrophic damage and loss.

5. Data Centers and IT Facilities:

Protecting sensitive equipment and data is critical. Active fire protection systems like gaseous fire suppression systems are essential to quickly extinguish fires without damaging electronic equipment.

6. Historic and Heritage Buildings:

While these buildings need careful consideration to preserve their integrity, active fire protection systems are essential to protect against fire risks and ensure the safety of occupants and assets.

7. Specialised Applications:

• Kitchens: Commercial kitchens require automatic fire suppression systems to handle grease fires effectively.
• Laboratories: Facilities that handle flammable chemicals and experiments require AFP systems to detect and suppress fires promptly.
• Parking Garages: Areas with a high density of vehicles require fire detection and suppression systems to control fires quickly.

If you have any questions about passive fire protection, feel free to get in touch with us here.