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| Passive Fire Protection (PFP) is added to or makes up part of the building structure and should remain stable and inactive until required to perform some function in the event of a fire. It is classed as Passive because in effect it remains passive during normal day to day use of the building, and becomes part of the fire protection only in the event of a fire. Most materials used in the construction of buildings, ships, engineering structures, or oilrigs have some natural resistance to fire. PFP is the method used to enhance that natural resistance, or to close up holes, counteract movements, enhance stability. The PFP element is provided, firstly and foremost to allow the occupants of the building to escape and to give fire-fighters the chance of entering the building to fight the fire. Secondly to prevent the spread of fire through the voids and thus from one building to another and to limit the danger of the building collapsing. The regulations give the requirements in periods of time, which can vary from 30 minutes up to 2 hours, and in some instances a period of 4 hours is required. Currently there are instances where the period of fire protection given to the frame or compartmentation, can be reduced down to 30 minutes protection if sprinklers are also fitted. BUILDING CONTROL Essentially the Building Control Officer is the person responsible for stipulating what period of fire protection will be required for a particular building. All buildings no matter what type, have to conform to the Building Regulations. These are under the control of the Local Authority, who in turn, work to regulations issued by the Department of the Environment The Regulations in the UK (as in most countries) have a requirement that elements of a building will remain stable, in the event of a fire, for a given period of time. These requirements are contained in the rules set out in Document B of the Department of the Environment guidelines. These guidelines are used by Building Control Officers to stipulate what level of fire protection is required, in a particular type of building. If a building is licenced for use by the Public for instance, Sports Stadiums and Shopping Centres then Fire Officers or the local Fire Brigade will be involved and will issue a licence. Building Regulations cover the following areas:-
The prime objective is the safety of life, not the preservation of the building. The latter is a matter of concern for the building owner and his insurance company |
| A recently completed project endorsed by industry representatives and other partners in the work, the Fire Research Sciences (FRS) division of the Building Research Establishment and Warrington Fire Research have issued the final report on Ensuring Best Practice in Passive Fire Protection in Buildings. This is available free of charge and can be downloaded from the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) website www.asfp.org.uk |
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info@tbafirefly.co.uk |
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