PASSIVE FIRE STOPPING WITH ECA

Passive fire stopping is an essential requirement in the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018) and key to the Health and Safety at Work Act, Electricity at Work Regulations and Construction (Design and Management Regulations).

DON’T LEAVE FIRE STOPPING TO CHANCE!

“ULTIMATELY, WE ALL HAVE RESPONSIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO FIRE SAFETY.”

Gary Parker, ECA Technical Manager, explains the Dos and Don’ts of Passive Fire Protection and how to avoid falling short in this essential aspect of installation and design.

WHAT IS PASSIVE FIRE STOPPING?

Unless they are properly sealed, holes for cabling or other services in a building’s compartments can create a gateway for fire. So, wherever a hole is made, fire stopping will also be needed.

KEY QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

■ How long should the fire stopping material delay a fire?

■ Does the material need to bear weight, e.g. if it forms part of a floor?

■ Does any electrical containment require fire stopping on the inside and the outside?

■ Will any services need to pass through the barrier in the future?

DO:

■ Avoid making unnecessary or unplanned holes, gaps, or voids in compartmentation areas

■ Follow the correct methods for fire stopping required by manufacturers

■ Use materials that will sufficiently withstand fire and heat

■ Raise any concerns about the effectiveness of compartmentation with your supervisor or line manager

■ If requirements for fire stopping are not clear, notify the client or building owner immediately.

For more info visit: www.eca.co.uk/technical

DON'T:

■ Create any unnecessary breaches or holes in fire compartmentation

■ Leave any penetrations with no fire stopping

■ Deviate from the required fire stopping specifications for the task in hand

■ Use makeshift filling methods or materials to block holes or gaps in compartmentation.

IF IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT TO THE SPECIALISTS

Fire-stopping, in all but the simplest of cases, is best assigned to specialist service providers. Ideally, a specialist subcontractor should be involved at all stages of construction. Ultimately, we all have responsibility when it comes to fire safety. It should never be left to chance.