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.

Structural Measures to Prevent the Spread of Fire

What do we mean by structural measures?

The term ‘structural measures’ defines the ways in which fire protection is incorporated into the construction of a building. If a fire were to occur, they ensure a building preserves its structural integrity for as long as possible.

The main purpose of structural fire protection is to prevent fire and smoke from spreading throughout the building. This helps to contain the damage, and ensure there is an ample window for the building’s inhabitants to be safely evacuated. The Building Regulations for England and Wales have provided guidelines for how long a building must maintain its structural stability in the event of a fire:

A building less than 5 metres tall must remain stable for 30 minutes

A building between 6 and 18 metres tall must remain stable for 60 minutes

A building between 19 and 30 metres tall must remain stable for 90 minutes

This article will outline several structural measures that can stop a building from being fully consumed by fire. When implemented correctly, these measures can save lives and reduce financial losses.

Intumescent Coatings

In the event of a fire, steel will lose its load-bearing properties once it reaches a certain temperature (this can vary between 350° and 750°). Therefore, steel structures must be insulated using an intumescent coating. This increases the amount of time before the steel collapses, giving firefighters more time to evacuate a building.

When exposed to temperatures of up to 250°C, multiple chemical components inside the intumescent coating will react. This causes the coating to increase in density, creating a fireproof layer to protect the steel. These intumescent coatings can be applied in a variety of ways, from thin filming coatings to spray-applied paint.

Intumescent coatings are easy to apply both on and off-site. They are also suitable for not only steel but concrete, timber, and composite elements. As well as this, applying an intumescent coating doesn’t affect the material’s mechanical properties. This means that the coating is essentially ‘neutral’ unless exposed to extreme temperatures. This makes intumescent coatings both an efficient and effective fire protection measure.

Compartmentation

Fire compartmentation involves dividing a building into a series of ‘cells’. These cells are then separated using fire-resistant materials and structures. Fire can quickly engulf a building due in part to the ‘chimney effect’. This is when the airflow between floors and rooms ‘pushes’ flames throughout a structure. Compartmentation reduces this effect, containing the flames and smoke to a specific cell.

There are multiple ways to compartmentalise a building, such as fire walls, doors, and cavity barriers. Cavity barriers inhibit the spread of smoke through open spaces in roofs and between floors. These barriers can be made from a variety of materials, such as concrete, gypsum or masonry.

There is no doubt that in principle, compartmentation is an effective way to hinder the spread of fire. However, there are times when compartments can be breached due to building maintenance. This leads to our next structural fire protection measure.

Firestopping

Sometimes when plumbers, electricians, and contractors work on a building, they can inadvertently compromise structural fire protection measures. Say an electrician drills holes and runs wires through a fire wall. No matter how small this hole may be, the wall no longer offers effective fire protection. Fire can penetrate the smallest gaps and ignite almost anything that lies in its path. Therefore, these gaps must be filled as quickly as possible, and by qualified firestopping contractors. This process is called ‘fireproofing.’

Successful fireproofing requires the use of specific fire-resistant materials. Any breaches in fire compartments must be filled using an intumescent sealant. when exposed to high temperatures. This fills any gaps and prevents the passage of smoke and flames.

Any openings between compartments, such as doors, windows, joints, pipes, and ducts, must be fireproofed. It is vital that in the event of a fire, there is no opportunity for fire to break through a compartment.

Construction professionals must realise that it takes more than investing in structural measures. Firstly, these measures must be implemented in compliance with industry regulations. Secondly, they must be reviewed regularly, with any breaches or material degradation swiftly rectified.

CLM Fireproofing is the UK’s leading provider of passive fire protection solutions. We implement structural fire protection for some of the country’s most iconic buildings. All of our work is carried out by highly skilled and dedicated professionals. Every member of the team operates in strict compliance with health and safety regulations. If you want to learn more about our passive fire protection services, contact our team of experts today.

Passive Fire Protection

Preventing fire in hospitals

Construction projects, be they commercial or residential, must involve fire protection specialists from the outset. They can advise on the necessary levels of fire protection for structural steel in...

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What structural measures can prevent the spread of fire?

What do we mean by structural measures?

Intumescent Coatings

Compartmentation

Firestopping

Preventing fire in hospitals

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