Fire prevention: what is passive protection and why it is so important

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Passive fire protection measures are building elements designed to delay the spread of fire, contain smoke and heat and ensure safe-evacuation times.

Unlike active systems (such as extinguishers and sprinklers) these do not need to be activated. They are always at work, simply on the basis of their structure and materials.

Why is passive protection so important?

There are three main objectives to passive protection:

  1. Stopping fire spreading, containing flames and smoke within one section of the building;
  2. Guaranteeing structural resistance, avoiding premature fall or collapse;
  3. Ensuring safe escape routes, enabling people and firefighters to move around unhindered.

Correct planning and maintenance of these solutions improves building safety and facilitates emergency action.

The main passive protection measures

1. Fire compartmentation

This consists of dividing up buildings into compartments equipped with fire-resistant materials and structures lasting for a specific time (30, 60, 90 minutes, etc.).

The purpose is to stop fires spreading rapidly to other parts of a building.

2. Fire doors

Fire doors are crucial to this process because they:

  • resist flames and heat;
  • limit the spread of smoke;
  • close correctly and fully in an emergency too.

For certification to be valid they have to be correctly installed and subject to periodic maintenance.

3. Certified locks, door closers and panic exit devices

Accessories installed on fire doors have to be specifically certified and comply with standards such as:

  • EN 1634 (fire resistance);
  • EN 1154 (door closers);
  • EN 179 / EN 1125 (panic and emergency exit devices);
  • New European Regulation 2014/3110.

Parts which are non-compliant or installed incorrectly can invalidate door certification.

4. Fire-resistant materials and coatings

Walls, ceilings, ducts, piping and smoke-control barriers are made in:

  • high temperature-resistant materials;
  • fire-retardant materials;
  • materials which protect buildings’ load-bearing structure.

 

Installation and maintenance: two decisive aspects

If it is to be effective passive protection must:

  • use certified products chosen on the basis of their fire resistance;
  • be installed by staff trained in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions;
  • be subject to regular maintenance, especially fire doors, door closers and panic exit devices.

Doors which do not close well, altered door closers or non-compliant accessories can jeopardise a whole fire-prevention compartment.

In a nutshell

Passive protection is the cornerstone of fire-prevention. It is permanent, does not require manual tasks and limits fires, protecting people and buildings.

Its correct functioning requires careful design, certified products and ongoing maintenance.

Download the fire doors checklist