What is Passive Fire Protection?

Passive Fire Protection systems are built into the structure of a building and improve the fire resistance for a specified period. This includes enhancing the ability of steel to maintain loadbearing capacity and sealing systems to close penetrations and voids within the building to stop fire, smoke and heat spreading from one area to another. This type of fire protection is often unseen in normal situations (as it is ‘built into’ the building structure), but during a fire it will help protect lives and limit the damage to buildings by:
• Limiting the spread of fire and smoke
• Protecting escape routes
• Protecting the building structure

Why is it so important to inspect fire doors?

Fire doors are specially engineered components of a building that are designed to restrict the spread of fire for a specified period to protect people and limit damage to buildings. As doors are one of the most heavily used elements of a building, it is critical to undertake regular inspections of fire doors to ensure they are functioning as designed. Even the smallest error, damage or change to an engineered fire door can vastly affect its fire resisting properties. An inspection by a specialist fire door surveyor can help you determine if your fires doors are:
• Installed correctly
• Fit for purpose
• In a suitable condition

How crucial is it to limit the spread of smoke?

Smoke is still the main cause of death during fire conditions. Toxic gases, volatile particles and hot smoke can potentially kill with one breath and can spread throughout an unprotected building in minutes. Passive and active fire protection systems work to stop to spread of smoke through a variety of means including smoke seals on fire doors, cavity barriers within building voids, smoke
dampers within ductwork and automatic opening vents. It is crucial to ensure these systems are in place and operating correctly, so that they can function as required during a fire condition or when activated by a detection device.