Passive fire protection is one of the most important safety measures within a building, yet much of it remains hidden from view.
Cavity barriers, fire stopping systems, compartment walls, fire doors and other passive fire protection measures are designed to limit the spread of fire and smoke, protect escape routes and help a building perform as intended in an emergency.
But choosing the right product is only part of the process.
For passive fire protection to work properly, it must be designed correctly, installed in accordance with the tested system and supported by clear evidence showing exactly what has been installed and where.
With the Building Safety Act placing greater emphasis on accountability, competence and building safety information, these details have become even more important.
Why correct installation matters
Passive fire protection products are tested in specific configurations.
That may include the type of wall or floor construction, the size of the opening, fixing methods, supporting materials, distances, substrates and the exact way in which the system is installed.
If the installation on site differs from the tested or approved detail, the same level of fire performance cannot simply be assumed.
This is particularly important with fire stopping and cavity barriers, where relatively small changes can affect the integrity of the overall compartmentation strategy.
Incorrectly fitted products, missing barriers, damaged fire stopping or unapproved changes can all create weaknesses within the building.
In a fire, those weaknesses may allow smoke and flames to travel further than intended.
Passive fire protection and the Building Safety Act
The Building Safety Act has introduced greater scrutiny around the way buildings are designed, constructed, altered and managed.
For higher risk buildings, there is a much stronger expectation for project teams to demonstrate that work has been completed in accordance with the approved design and relevant Building Regulations.
This includes providing accurate information about the work carried out.
The principle behind the golden thread of information means that important building safety information should be accurate, accessible and maintained throughout the life of the building.
For passive fire protection, that means records matter.
It is no longer enough to simply say that fire stopping or cavity barriers were installed.
Building owners, contractors and project teams need to be able to demonstrate what products were used, where they were installed, how the work was completed and whether it followed the required specification.
What Gateway 3 means for passive fire protection
Gateway 3 is a key stage within the building control process for higher risk buildings in England.
At this stage, the Building Safety Regulator must be satisfied that the completed building complies with Building Regulations before a completion certificate can be issued.
If the passive fire protection within the building cannot be properly evidenced, or if installations differ from the approved details, this can create significant problems.
Further inspections may be required.
Completed areas may need to be opened up.
Remedial works may be necessary.
There may also be delays to project completion.
The financial consequences can be substantial, but the real concern is safety.
Passive fire protection exists to maintain compartmentation and help control the spread of fire and smoke.
If those systems have not been installed correctly, the assumptions within the building’s fire strategy may no longer be reliable.
Evidence should be created during the work
Trying to prove what has been installed after walls and ceilings have been closed can be extremely difficult.
That is why proper recording should form part of the installation process itself.
Good passive fire protection records can include:
• Photographic evidence before and after installation
• Details of the product and system used
• Location references
• Installation records
• Drawings and marked up plans
• Records of any changes or deviations
• Evidence that the work was completed by competent installers
This information provides building owners and project teams with greater confidence and supports the ongoing management of the building.
How Legionella & Fire Safe Services can help
At Legionella & Fire Safe Services, our Passive Fire Protection division supports organisations across the UK with the inspection, installation and maintenance of fire safety systems designed to protect people and property.
Our services include:
Passive Fire Protection Surveys
We inspect existing passive fire protection measures to identify defects, gaps, damage and potential areas of non compliance.
This can include fire stopping, compartmentation, cavity barriers and associated fire resisting construction.
Fire Stopping
Service penetrations through fire resisting walls and floors can create routes for fire and smoke to travel through a building.
Our team installs appropriate fire stopping systems designed to maintain the required level of fire resistance around those penetrations.
Cavity Barriers
Cavities can allow fire and smoke to spread unseen through a building.
Correctly designed and installed cavity barriers help restrict that movement and protect the integrity of the building envelope and compartmentation strategy.
Compartmentation Works
Compartmentation is fundamental to passive fire protection.
We identify and address defects within compartment walls, floors and associated fire resisting elements, helping building owners maintain the intended separation between different areas of the building.
Fire Door Surveys and Works
Fire doors play a vital role in limiting the movement of fire and smoke and protecting escape routes.
Our services include fire door surveys, condition assessments, installation and remedial works where required.
Fire Curtains and Specialist Passive Fire Systems
Where required by the building design and fire strategy, we can also support clients with specialist passive fire protection systems, including fire curtains and other fire resisting solutions.
Third party accredited passive fire protection
For building owners and project teams, competency and assurance matter.
LFS provides third party accredited passive fire protection services through BM TRADA.
Our work is supported by clear records and photographic evidence, helping clients understand what has been completed and providing greater traceability for the building.
This is particularly important when contractors, building owners and responsible persons are increasingly expected to demonstrate due diligence and maintain accurate safety information.
Passive fire protection needs to be considered throughout the project
One of the biggest mistakes is treating passive fire protection as something that can be checked at the end of a project.
It needs to be considered throughout the design and construction process.
Designers need to specify appropriate tested systems.
Installers need to follow the approved details.
Other trades need to understand the importance of not damaging or altering fire stopping and compartmentation.
Any changes need to be properly reviewed and recorded.
Building owners then need to retain accurate information so that the systems can be inspected, maintained and protected in the future.
Passive fire protection may be hidden behind walls, ceilings and building finishes, but during a fire it can become one of the most important parts of the building.
Need support with passive fire protection?
Whether you are managing an existing building, delivering a refurbishment project or working on new construction, our team can help identify risks, complete necessary works and provide the evidence needed to support your fire safety responsibilities.
Call 0800 080 3045
Email info@legionellaandfiresafe.co.uk
Visit https://legionellaandfiresafe.co.uk/legionellaandfiresafe.co.uk
Protecting people and property through better fire safety.
