Passive Fire Protection, or PFP for short, is a crucial component of any effective fire strategy. Built into a property’s structure, it can save lives and limit the financial impact of fire damage.

How does PFP safeguard lives and reduce property damage?

Critically, PFP achieves these goals by limiting fire and smoke from spreading. These measures help to contain fire within a single area and protect vital escape routes so clear access is available for building occupants to exit safely. In addition, these measures also protect the building’s structure so it can withstand extreme thermal conditions if a fire breaks out.

In-built PFP is part of a property’s core structure, floors, and walls. This creates stability and divides buildings into separate areas to make risks more manageable. This level of protection can come from specific building materials used in construction. It is also added to properties to improve their fire resistance.

What is the difference between Active and Passive Fire Protection?

Building fire protection involves two different types of measures. Active Fire Protection detects and extinguishes fires, while Passive Fire Protection contains them.

What is Active Fire Protection?

Active Fire Protection safeguards buildings from fire with onsite equipment. Systems may be automatic or need manual operation, to work. Examples include dedicated fire alarms and building sprinkler systems. These installations ensure a rapid response through human or automatic intervention which, importantly, can prevent loss of life and property damage when a fire occurs.

What is Passive Fire Protection?

Passive Fire Protection is also critical but plays a more preventive role. These construction methods enable a building to resist fire.

PFP methods stop fumes and flames spreading. These measures help to section off thermal damage, therefore containing them within the disaster area. They also ensure a building’s structural elements maintain stability during a fire.

The methods are “passive” because they work independently from an energy source or human action. This means that fires can be contained for as long as possible within a compartmentalised area. This can buy valuable time for people to escape and emergency services to arrive and intervene.

Effective protection measures fall into two key categories, structural and firewall solutions. Heat-resistant paints are an example of structural solutions. Firewall measures used in subdivision include sealants and foams.

You might need measures in place at a structural level or to enhance exiting safety meansures and meet regulations. Either way, as experts in passive fire stopping works, we can help. BuildzoneUK Ltd is an approved LPCB installer for PFP. We work to BRE and government regulations.

Get in touch with our team today on 0843 212 0031 or email info@buildzoneuk.com.