How long do fire doors protect you for?

There are different grades of fire door, and each one provides a different level of protection. The grades are separated by how long they can withstand fire. The main ones are FD30 (30 minutes), FD60 (60 minutes) FD90 (90 minutes) and FD120 (120 minutes).

Where are fire doors required?

All regulations pertaining to the use of fire doors are contained in Fire Safety: Approved Document B and following incorporations. According to the legislation, fire doors are required in domestic buildings over 2 storeys high; each door leading to a stairwell (at every level) from a habitable room (not a bathroom, for instance) must be a fire door. For commercial or non-domestic buildings, fire door requirements vary according to whether escape routes are vertical or horizontal (down stairs or through corridors).

Who enforces the Regulatory Fire and Safety Order?

The Regulatory Fire Safety Order is enforced primarily by the area’s local Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA). However, other organisations may enforce fire safety regulations in special circumstances, such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the Secretary of State for Defence’s fire service. If you are unsure as to where your FRA is based, you can either contact your nearest fire service or consult the National Fire Chief’s Council website.

What is fire protection?

The aim of a fire protection system is to safeguard a building’s occupants and minimise the damage associated with fire. Overall, the goal is to provide the widest possible window for a safe evacuation, whilst also reducing potential repair costs.\n\nFire protection systems can be categorised as either active or passive. While active systems are designed to detect and fight fires (such as fire alarms and sprinklers), passive fire protection describes the structural measures which prevent the passage of flames and smoke.

What is fire prevention?

Fire prevention systems are put in place so a building’s fire load is as low as it can possibly be. ‘Fire load’ is a term used by fire protection professionals to gage the potential severity of a fire in a building, based on the presence of certain hazards. Essentially, fire prevention reduces the likelihood of a serious fire. By safely storing combustible materials, and taking care of points of ignition (such as heating systems and plug sockets), we are reducing the risks associated with fire.

What is fire suppression?

The sole objective of a fire suppression system is to extinguish a fire as quickly as possible. \nOnce occupants are alerted to the presence of a fire, the system will begin to emit a concentrated substance to suppress the flames. The exact nature of this substance can vary, based on the environment the system is designed to protect. Common examples include carbon dioxide and inert gas, as well as a range of both liquid and dry chemical agents.

What is active fire protection?

Fire protection measures categorised as ‘active fire protection’ all react to action or motion. Fire alarms, for instance, must be activated to bring attention to a fire. Similarly, a fire extinguisher must be actively used in order to put out a fire. Fire sprinklers are also an example of active fire protection. This is because they are automatically activated in order to suppress a fire.

What is passive fire protection?

The term ‘passive fire protection’ describes structural measures implemented to prevent a fire from spreading within a building. Specialist contractors will be brought on as part of the building process to advise on passive fire protection measures, which can include compartmentation, firestopping and fireproofing using intumescent paint. According to Global Market Insights, the passive fire protection market is estimated to be worth $31 billion by 2026.

Why is concrete resistant to fire?

There are three main reasons why concrete has been categorised as one of the most fire-resistant materials; concrete is non-combustible, it’s non-toxic and it has low thermal conductivity. This means that it does not easily transfer thermal energy, and does not react easily with other substances (meaning that in the event of a fire there are no noxious gases released). This makes concrete one of the safest and most effective materials for structural fire protection.

What were the changes to building regulations after Grenfell?

The biggest change to building regulations post-Grenfell was a proposed ban on the use of combustible materials in the external walls of residential buildings over 18 metres in height.

Can a building collapse from fire?

A comprehensive enquiry into Grenfell Tower unearthed a chain of structural and maintenance failures leading up to the fire. A number of structural elements in a building can be damaged from fire, across a variety of temperatures and speeds. Therefore, a collapse can occur across multiple stages of severity. The most common cause of building collapse is damage to non-structural elements, which then increases the risk of structural exposure to fire. These elements include false chimneys, roof coverings, and windows.

What is the main objective of compartmentation?

One of the biggest risks in a fire is the spread of smoke and toxic gases. If not handled correctly, any attempt to evacuate a building will be hindered by the spread of smoke. Airflow between doors and rooms can push flames and smoke throughout a building. This is called the ‘chimney effect’. Compartmentation aims to mitigate this effect, controlling the spread for a prescribed period of time.

How does intumescent paint work?

The word ‘intumescent’ is derived from the Latin word “tumesco”, meaning expand or swell. Intumescent paints or sealants undergo an endothermic process, meaning the materials within the paints expand when exposed to high temperatures. Intumescent coatings are applied to steel frameworks in buildings, offering enhanced fire protection without affecting the steel’s mechanical properties. There are several ways to apply intumescent paint, the most common being spray-application as a film coating. Intumescent paint can be applied to steel, timber and an array of composite materials. Some varieties of intumescent paint can be given a decorative finish. In this instance, we would engage with the manufacturer to ensure that all the solutions we use are compatible with specific materials.

How much does intumescent paint expand?

The rate of expansion for intumescent paint depends on its thickness. Thin-film coatings will expand at a rate of 50:1, as a general rule of thumb. This means that a 1mm coating will reach an estimated density of 50mm in the event of a fire. Thick film coatings expand at an approximate rate of 5:1. It is worth mentioning that if a project intends to apply intumescent paint, then several aspects of the building should be designed to accommodate the rate of expansion.

How does a fire suppression system work?

A fire suppression system will have built-in components to detect fires as early as possible. These components will first identify the presence of flames and smoke. The suppression system will then initiate an alarm, so the blaze can be subdued before it has the chance to spread.

When is a fire suppression system required?

Fire suppression systems should be installed in buildings where a sprinkler system may not be the most effective method of fire protection. These can include rooms which contain a large amount of electrical equipment, or perishable items that could be susceptible to water damage. Although a fire suppression system is not legally required in the UK, property owners, be they commercial or residential, are responsible for carrying out fire risk assessments. This assessment, whether conducted internally or externally, may reveal the need for a fire suppression system. Further information can be found in our article on who exactly is responsible for fire safety legislation.

A Guide to Fire Protection of Steel Structures

It is vital that as construction professionals, we understand how fire affects the behaviour of steel structures. A structural fire can exceed temperatures of 800°C or higher, depending on the severity of the conditions. Temperatures of around 550°C will cause a decline in the load-bearing properties of structural steel. The steel will lose its yield strength and buckle, causing it to bend, twist and ultimately collapse.

Unprotected steel frames can resist fire for approximately 15 minutes. According to industry fireproofing requirements for structural steel, this period of resistance must be increased substantially. The length of this period can vary, based on both the size and purpose of the building. For instance, an office over 30m high with sprinklers must have a minimum fire resistance period of 120 minutes.

Until the 1970s, steel beams were encased in concrete for protection. Since then, there has been a demand for more flexible, lightweight solutions. According to data collected by Tata Steel, the majority of UK steel structures are protected in the following ways:

70% use intumescent paints
25% use fireproof boards
3-5% use firestopping sprays

These fireproofing methods can be broadly categorised in two ways: reactive and non-reactive. Intumescent paints are ‘reactive’ as they gain their fireproofing properties once exposed to extreme temperatures. Conversely, board fireproofing and firestopping sprays are non-reactive. This means that they contain firestopping properties regardless of temperature. In this article, we will outline how all of these methods ensure compliant protection of structural steel.

Intumescent Coatings

Applied by specialist intumescent paint contractors, these coatings are the most widely-used method of structural steel protection in the United Kingdom. They contain materials that react to high temperatures. Once exposed to fire, the materials drastically increase in density. This provides an additional layer of protection to steel. Broadly speaking, intumescent coatings are available in two forms:

Thin Film: These coatings are solvent or water-based, and are most commonly used in buildings.
Thick Film: While these coatings can be used for buildings, they tend to be used in industries that require working with extreme temperatures, such as the petroleum industry.

Intumescent paints can be applied by brush, roller, or spray. The application process can take place either on-site or off-site. On-site application is recommended if aesthetics are a priority, as well as short-term costs.

Fireproof Boards

In construction projects, practical constraints can lead to intumescent paint being less of a viable solution. These include project timescales, weather conditions, and potential accessibility issues. In these scenarios, fireproof boards can protect steel columns for up to 240 minutes, and steel beams for up to 180 minutes.

These boards are made of rigid mineral-based wood and can be attached to metal beams, columns, and decking. This can be carried out by contractors whilst the steel framework is being erected. This makes for an efficient solution whilst remaining compliant with industry regulations. It should also be noted that fireproof boards do not require any tarping or ventilation around the construction area. This can reduce additional costs associated with structural fire protection.

Firestopping Sprays

Firestopping sprays are a simple and cost-effective fire protection solution for structural steel. These sprays can be either mineral-based (vermiculite being a common component) or made using low-density cement compounds. Firestopping sprays can range between 10mm and 70mm in thickness and are applied to steel using a spraying machine. As a rule of thumb, these sprays offer fire protection for up to 240 minutes.

Firestopping sprays are particularly beneficial in cases where aesthetics are not a priority. You can add an additional coating or a primer for aesthetic purposes, but this is not wholly necessary. If you opt for firestopping sprays, it is important to apply a binding layer of acrylic copolymer. An additional benefit to fire-stopping sprays is that they can increase sound-absorption between walls and floors. Firestopping sprays have a range of applications, being suitable for not only steel but also wood, fabric, and composite-based materials.

CLM Fireproofing are market leaders in passive fire protection, specialising in a range of services including structural steel fireproofing. Our experienced team of professionals work with clients to deliver fire protection projects swiftly, efficiently and in full compliance with the latest industry regulations. Contact CLM Fireproofing to find out more.

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Understanding firestopping regulations in buildings

It is vital that as construction professionals, we understand how fire affects the behaviour of steel structures. A structural fire can exceed temperatures of 800°C or higher, depending on the...

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Our guide to structural steel fireproofing

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