4 Components Of A Passive Fire Protection System

A Passive Fire Protection (PFP) system is a vital component of a fire safety strategy in a building. It is fitted into the structure of a building to limit the spread of fire to other places.

How does it work?

· Passive fire protection in Ireland works by limiting the spread of fire into a single compartment.

· It provides evacuation routes for people in case of a fire break out.

· It protects the entire structure of a building.

Passive fire protection is built into the structure to provide steadiness and resistance to the walls and floors of a building and separate it into compartments. These areas are created to restrict the fire from spreading to other areas. Such protection is either provided by materials or is added to the building to stop the fire. Certain passive fire protection products are in high demand in the market nowadays, due to their functions.

A passive fire protection system can be enhanced by the use of certain products. They are-

· Fire Doors

· Fire Shutters

· Fire Walls

· Fire Dampers

· Cable coatings

· Fire Stops

· Fire resisting glasses

· Fire-resistant rated floors, ceilings and ducts.

Let’s discuss some of them-

Fire Doors-
A fire door forms one of the most important passive fire protection in Ireland. It is usually thicker than a normal door and is made of intumescent strips that expand on heating. They restrict the smoke and its spreading to other areas. They should have the seal and fire-rated hardware and can withstand heat for 60minutes.

Fire Walls-
They form a part of a passive fire protection system and are fitted into the structure of a building to limit the fire. It acts as a barrier to restrict fire. It slows down the progress of fire into the interiors of the building.

Fire Dampers-
These are used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning ducts to prevent the spread of fire inside the ducts. It prevents the spread of fire into the ducts through fire-resistance walls and floors.

Coatings-
Fire-retardant coatings are required to protect flammable and non-flammable materials in a building. It is the oldest but the most efficient way of limiting fire without hampering the intrinsic property of the structure.

A passive fire protection system reduces the damage caused to a building by fire and contains the growth of a fire. The components should be inspected by a competent and trained individual at least once a month. Passive fire protection in Ireland makes it a legal necessity to install these components in a building and comply with the guidelines of NFPA80 and Fire Safety Code Standards.

About the author

Mr. James Monroe is a passionate blogger and the owner of one of the leading fire protection services companies in the UK. His main aim is to educate his viewers about his company and the various services offered by them.