Feature
FIRE IN THE HOLE Fire and smoke walls help protect buildings and their occupants. But as Sean McGowan reports, the improper penetration of these walls for services can render them ineffective, and even increase the unpredictability of fire and smoke spread. unavoidable, but it is the treatment of the penetration that is vital to the integrity of the fire and smoke wall.
Fire and smoke walls are one of the key passive fire protection features for protecting both buildings and their occupants. Used to create compartments within buildings that help to restrict fire and smoke to the compartment of origin, they are able to minimise the damage and risk caused by a conflagration. Ultimately, they save lives. But fire and smoke walls are only as good as their weakest point. Penetrations made through these walls can create a breach, and, if the penetration is not completed correctly, can cause them to be ineffective. Penetrations associated with HVAC&R, plumbing and electrical services all pose a risk to fire safety. Some are 20
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“Many service providers pay little attention to fire walls and make penetrations in ways and locations that make their work easier or cheaper, without considering the ramifications,” says Paul Waterhouse, NSW state manager at the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia).
these features to allow for services can provide opportunities for flames and smoke to spread to other compartments.” Improper penetrations can allow fires to grow more quickly than expected, and make both the spread of fire and smoke more unpredictable.
He says if fire and smoke protections are not reinstated, the consequences can be fatal.
This puts occupants in much greater danger. They may be exposed to fire and smoke from unexpected sources, and have less chance of evacuating a building safely.
“If the protection that fire and smoke walls provide is not reinstated through the use of passive fire protection measures, penetrations created in
Fires can also grow faster and more unpredictably, making it much more difficult and dangerous for firefighters to fight a fire or rescue occupants.
Summer 2020
