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.

What is fire stopping? | Fire Stopping Methods

Firestopping Methods

Firestopping around pipes and cables

Pipes and cables can pass through different ‘compartments’ within a building. The openings around their entry and exit points between compartments can act as channels for fire to spread. To prevent this from happening, passive fireproofing professionals have a variety of tools at their disposal. Fire sealants, for instance, expand on exposure to high temperatures and block airways for fire and smoke. For pipes, fire collars and sleeves can also be used as a fire stopping solution. Both expand on exposure to extreme heat, working to block or delay the transfer of heat from one compartment to another. If the protected pipe is made of plastic, it will be crushed during this process, barring the way for fire and noxious gases.

Firestopping around door frames

Although fire doors are fitted to be flush with the door frame, any gaps between the two are filled with a silicone-based fire-resistant sealing. To further enhance their fire resistance, intumescent strips are often attached to the base of the door.

Firestopping around windows

For firestopping purposes, windows are treated in a similar way to doors. Gaps around the frame are sealed with a fire-resistant material (which is suitable for the particular substrate), and any cavities around the window space are filled with a thermal cavity barrier (more on this below).

What’s the difference between a cavity barrier and a firestop?

Cavity barriers and firestops differ in their applications. Cavity barriers are designed to effectively close a cavity between two elements of a building, such as between a floor slab and cladding materials, or a loft space. Firestops, on the other hand, are intended to close a penetration made through a compartmentation element, such as a pipe going through a firewall.

The importance of firestopping

Firestopping is an essential component of a building’s safety. Once installed, firestopping measures need to be monitored regularly and assessed for their effectiveness. Failure to do so could mean that your property is not in compliance with current fire safety regulations, and you could be held accountable in the event of a fire.

CLM Fireproofing is the UK’s leading passive fire protection and firestopping specialist. With over 30 years of experience, our experts are able to accurately assess fire risk in your buildings, and install measures to ensure full compliance with current regulations. If you’d like to know more, get in touch with CLM Fireproofing today – we’re here to help.

Disclaimer: This post is intended for educational use only, and should not be relied upon for compliance purposes.

Passive Fire Protection

Protecting high rise buildings and tower blocks from fire

Firestopping is a fundamental part of passive fireproofing. It refers to the process of filling openings and joints between walls and floors with fire-resistant material. The effect of this is to...

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What is firestopping in construction?

Firestopping Methods

Firestopping around pipes and cables

Firestopping around door frames

Firestopping around windows

What’s the difference between a cavity barrier and a firestop?

The importance of firestopping

Protecting high rise buildings and tower blocks from fire

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