Are Structural Fire Protection Products Needed?

The structural integrity of a building is crucial to its long-term stability and safety. There are various features that are included in the design process which are then embedded into the construction process, this includes the foundation of the new build, steel frames, chimneys, roofing, windows etc. There are many essential components to a new build.

Nowadays, structural fire protection is a critical part of any building’s design and construction. Every new and current build must include fire protection equipment because of the horrors that happened at Grenfell Tower in 2017. Fire safety products ensure that if a fire were to occur, using the correct fire safety products will increase the longevity of the property and protect the inhabitants.

The following blog will discuss the integrity of why structural fire safety equipment is needed and are worth the investment. In December 2020, the BBC published an article which reported on the crisis of defective fire safety products in England and Wales. When Dorian Lawrence, a consultant with Façade Remedial Consultants inspected the cladding on hundreds of blocks across England and Wales, he found that in 2000 buildings, 90% had defective fire safety products and 60% were not related to cladding.

To tackle the widespread crisis of defective fire safety products, the Fire Safety Act 2005 was updated and reformed as it received Royal Assent on 29 April 2021 and commenced on 16 May 2022. This act clarified that property owners housing multiple residents must manage and reduce the risk of fires on properties containing windows, entrance doors and balconies by including cladding. This act also applies to Wales.

The Fire Safety Act 2021 produced a diagram which allowed property owners to see the provisions that apply. These rules were put into place to reduce the risk of fires in larger properties and to keep inhabitants informed on the rules that applied.

What causes Building Fires?

The most common cause of fires is usually Electrical faults found throughout the building. Electrical safety is essential to any building’s integrity. Fire can occur in a commercial space, and electrical equipment such as overloaded plugs or extension leads can lead to loosened wires which can cause sparks, which can lead to an uncontrolled fire.

Though, in the colder months, Heating is a necessity. Whether it is for commercial or domestic buildings, keeping inhabitants or employees warm and comfortable free from flues is great. However, the combination of heat and electricity, if not maintained, is harmful and can cause fires either from general electrical issues or overheating.

When you think of the potential fire risks associated with Cooking Equipment, it is easy to see why restaurants are at risk. Whether it be a lunchroom or a staff room, buildings that have areas with cooking appliances can end up being the cause of a fire. Guaranteeing that all cooking equipment operates safely and that everyone in the building knows the correct procedure if a fire were to happen.

The Provisions

Firstly, for residential buildings with two or more domestic properties which contained communal areas, the provisions that applied were:

• Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool
• Information to residents about fire safety instructions
• Information to residents about fire doors

Secondly, residential buildings between heights of 11m and 17.9m in height had the following rules:

• Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool
• Information to residents about fire safety instructions
• Information to residents about fire doors
• Fire Door Checks

Lastly, residential buildings which were 18m high, which is the equivalent to 7 storeys had the same provisions, as the previous residential properties but as the building are larger, there are more provisions put in place to keep occupants safe. The following rules and regulations:

• Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool
• Information to residents about fire safety instructions
• Information to residents about fire doors
• Fire Door Checks
• Secure information box
• Design and materials of external walls
• Floor plans and building plans
• Lifts and firefighting equipment
• Wayfinding signage

With provisions like this, fire safety checks can become more regular to ensure all inhabitants are up to date on what to do if a fire were to occur.

The Fire Safety Products We Offer:

We offer a Linear Gap Seal, which is designed to perform as a barrier in construction movement joints and long linear installations in vertical and horizontal applications. The gap seal allows for a quick and clean installation process as it is a pre-assembled dry product.

The Premium Fire Curtains are manufactured to prevent the spread of fires and smoke. The smoke protection system is invisible and built-in, meaning the design does not alter the aesthetic of the property.

Our Mild Steel Grille/ Steel Face Plates can be used for domestic and commercial uses. They are designed to cover openings in compartment walls, doors, and partitions where air ventilation is required.

Contact Us

Here at FPC, we are fire protection suppliers, with 30 years of industry knowledge and experience. We are a family run business with safety being our speciality. Ensuring the nation is protected from the danger of fires is our goal. We consider ourselves at the forefront of fire safety development and carry an extensive range of speciality products, designed, tried, and assessed by us. To enquire about various products, contact us today we are more than happy to help.