IS FIRE DOWN TO A SIMPLE TRIANGLE?
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Those fire protection installers that have achieved third party certification status are required to use trained staff whose competence has been evaluated, whose records are subject to audit by the certification body and whose work is subject to random inspection by qualified inspectors. All ASFP contracting members must have attained appropriate third-party certification status before they can become a member of the Association. Many clients, specifiers, enforcement authorities and others responsible for fire safety, such as the Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, also now recognise that to allow installers to self-certify their own work is not considered sufficient or acceptable.
Construction & Maintenance – the Third Side of the Triangle Over the lifespan of any building, many changes are likely to be made, not only to the existing fabric of the building but through its potential change of use, essential maintenance and updating or expansion. It follows therefore that on-going and regular assessments of the fire safety measures within a building are undertaken to ensure that appropriate fire safety provision is maintained. Risk assessment for passive ‘built-in’ fire protection is often not a straight-forward exercise. Many of the fire protection measures involved, such as the make-up of the fabric of the envelope of the building, or at a smaller scale, the detail of the fire stopping measures, may not be determined by an ‘on the ground’ visual inspection. Often such measures may be hidden above a suspended ceiling or within a cavity and, in some cases, may even be sited inside other components not obviously recognised as fire protection – for example, a fire damper within an air ventilation ducting system. Many follow-on trades may unwittingly destroy essential fire compartmentation provision, since, to the untrained eye, a hole in the wall may just be seen as a maintenance issue. The following factors can affect the in-service performance of such products or systems: ● In-service Environment. The nature of the environment to which the product or system will be exposed may affect its durability or performance in a fire situation. ● Planned Maintenance, Records & Reports. In most cases, correctly applied or installed passive fire protection products or systems used internally in buildings should not require significant maintenance over the design life of the building, other than where mechanical damage or subsequent modification has occurred. However, periodic inspections should be carried out as part of the normal maintenance plan for the building with any damaged passive fire protection measures either replaced, or where appropriate, repaired in the same way as in the original manufacturers’ specification. In some cases, it may not be possible to replace or repair with the same manufacturer’s products, since the originally installed product may no longer be available. In such cases, a INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
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professional opinion should be sought before mixing and matching materials and products from different manufacturers. Some features, such as fire-resisting ducts and fire doors, will require regular operational checks. Fire dampers, for example, should be inspected and operated at least annually and fire resisting ducts should be checked for the build-up of grease/rubbish. Keeping detailed and accurate records is vital and should be seen as an essential management requirement. Refurbishment or Upgrading of Passive Fire Protection Measures. The ASFP recommends that the refurbishment or upgrading of fire protection systems shall always be carried out in accordance with the advice of the system manufacturer, and installed by a specialist third party certificated contractor.
Given the arguments expressed above, it is clear that there are many essential elements to consider when considering fire safety within the built environment. Controlling the elements in the triangle of fire will prevent a fire from starting or help to extinguish it; while controlling the elements within the triangle of construction will prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
Look for the Logo The Association for Specialist Fire Protection comprises manufacturers and installers of passive fire protection products and systems. To be a member, manufacturers are required to hold third-party product certification for any products that are listed in ASFP publications. ASFP contractor members are required to hold third-party certification for the installation of such products. The assurances gained by using an ASFP manufacturer or contactor will ensure the installation of passive fire protection that is fit for purpose. Look for the logo. The Association for Specialist Fire Protection offers detailed guidance on fire testing, specification and installation of the following passive fire protection groups: ● Structural steel fire protection. ● Fire stopping, fire seals and cavity barriers. ● Non load bearing partition systems. ● Fire retardant coatings. ● Fire resisting ducts and dampers. ● Fire resisting walls and linings. ● Fire risk assessment of passive fire protection. IFP
Wilf Butcher is CEO of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection For further information, go to www.asfp.org.uk 25