What is Passive Fire Protection?
Passive fire protection (PFP) systems are built into the building fabric to resist fire and smoke spread and give sufficient time for your occupants to escape.
They are the opposite to active fire systems like sprinklers or alarms, which often automatically detect, warn, control or suppress fire.
Passive fire protection systems include fire doors, fire walls, fire-resisting floors, fire and smoke dampers, cavity barriers, and fire-resistant coatings, like intumescent paint over steel structures.
Its main aim is to prevent damage, destruction, or the endangerment of people’s lives through structural fire safety measures that provide barriers and compartmentation.
It’s the responsibility of your “Responsible Person” to ensure all passive fire systems are suitably and sufficiently inspected and maintained to help support compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 as well as design and construction guidance covered under Building Regulations 2010 (Approved Document B).
Compartmentation Surveys
Compartmentation is complete room containment to prevent the spread of fire, heat, and smoke. Fully compartmentalised buildings ensure all fire barriers like floors, doors, holes, and voids are properly sealed to protect escape routes and limit damage.
Fire Stopping Installation
From fire walls and fire doors to fire-resisting floors, fire and smoke dampers, cavity barriers and fire-resistant coatings, we supply complete installation and maintenance as well as remedial upgrades.
Full Passive Fire Protection Report
A robust passive fire protection report with complete photographic evidence includes compartmentation surveys alongside a broader assessment of your building’s structural fire-resistance.
Certified Materials & Methods
From fire-resistant boards to fire barriers and intumescent products like paints and wraps, our materials are designed to achieve specified fire-resistance periods, subject to the tested system and installation.
What is a Responsible Person?
A “Responsible Person” is the person or party under UK law responsible for fire safety in non-domestic premises and communal areas of residential buildings.
They’re typically the landlord, business owner, or managing agent.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, they have a legal duty for passive fire protection (PFP) and must conduct fire risk assessments, implement measures like fire doors and compartmentation, and ensure ongoing maintenance and compliance with relevant UK regulations to protect occupants.
Additionally, for applicable buildings, design and construction guidance is covered under Building Regulations 2010 (Approved Document B).
Prevents Fire Spread
Passive fire protection installs fire barriers like fire-resisting floors, doors, walls, and voids for fire spread prevention. Protecting your property from destruction and your people from serious injury or death.
Supports Legal Compliance
Passive fire protection is an integral part of a fire risk assessment which covers every aspect of fire safety in most non-domestic premises and communal areas under UK legislation.
Protects Escape Routes
Robust passive fire safety systems protect escape routes from flames, heat, and smoke by diversion or containment. Giving your people safe evacuation routes.
Heat & Smoke Control
Gaps, holes, and any breaks in a room are sealed with effective fire doors, mastics, firestops, and fire and smoke dampers. Slowing the spread of heat and smoke.
Passive Fire Protection Delivers
Cost-effective Repairs
Installing or repairing passive fire-resistant materials and systems is a more cost-effective approach than dealing with a potential rebuild.
Business Protection
With proper passive fire protection, like compartmentation, a fire is contained within the room it started, slowing or stopping the spread as well as serious damage or complete property destruction.
People Protection
Passive fire safety measures enable enough time for the people in your property to follow the fire drill to your fire evacuation spot. This gets them to safety and keeps them from harm.
Fire Assessors Who Are Anything But Passive
To understand passive fire protection you need fire assessors with decades of operational experience tackling, preventing, and managing blazes.
That’s why our experts are former firefighters, fire officers, and ex-forces fire service personnel, because they know how fire thinks and acts.
We thoroughly understand your property's fire risks and implement robust passive fire safety measures.
But that’s not all, because we recommend realistic and practical preventative and remedial measures to help support your premise’s compliance and safety under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
Our other services
Fire Safety Training
Prepares your people in the event of a fire or medical emergency.
Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) Installation and Maintenance
Safely diverting lightning strikes away from your property.
Fire Strategy and Fire Engineering Support
For new builds, refurbishments, and existing buildings.
Fire Door Inspection and Installation
Detailed inspection and installation supporting fire containment.
Fire Extinguisher Supply and Service
Helps slow or stop minor blazes, protecting your property and people.
Passive Fire Protection (PFP)
Uses fire-resistant materials and systems to slow or stop fire spread.
Fire Risk Assessments (FRA)
Helps reduce fire risk for most non domestic properties and communal areas.