Passive fire protection

Passive fire protection (PFP)[1] is an integral component of

the components of structural fire protection and fire safety in a
building. PFP attempts to contain fires or slow the spread, such
as by fire-resistant walls, floors, and doors. PFP systems must
comply with the associated listing and approval use and
compliance in order to provide the effectiveness expected by
building codes.

Contents Fire-resistance rated wall assembly with

fire door, cable tray penetration and
Structural fire protection intumescent cable coating.
Main characteristics
Examples
Regulations
"Old" versus "new"
Countries with optional certification
See also
References
External links

Structural fire protection

Fire protection in a building, offshore facility or a ship is a system that includes:

Active fire protection can include manual or automatic fire detection and fire suppression.
Passive fire protection includes compartmentalization of the overall building through the use
of fire-resistance rated walls and floors. Organization into smaller fire compartments,
consisting of one or more rooms or floors, prevents or slows the spread of fire from the room of
fire origin to other building spaces, limiting building damage and providing more time to the
building occupants for emergency evacuation or to reach an area of refuge.
Fire prevention includes minimizing ignition sources, as well as educating the occupants and
operators of the facility, ship or structure concerning operation and maintenance of fire-related
systems for correct function, and emergency procedures including notification for fire service
response and emergency evacuation.

Main characteristics
The aim for fire protection systems is typically demonstrated in fire testing the ability to maintain the item
or the side to be protected at or below either 140 °C (for walls, floors and electrical circuits required to have
a fire-resistance rating) or ca. 550 °C, which is considered the critical temperature for structural steel, above
which it is in jeopardy of losing its strength, leading to collapse. This is based, in most countries, on the
basic test standards for walls and floors, such as BS 476: Part 22: 1987, BS EN 1364-1: 1999 & BS EN
1364-2: 1999 or ASTM E119.[2] Smaller components, such as fire dampers, fire doors, etc., follow suit in
the main intentions of the basic standard for walls and floors. Fire testing involves live fire exposures
upwards of 1100 °C, depending on the fire-resistance rating and duration one is after. More items than just
fire exposures are typically required to be tested to ensure the survivability of the system under realistic
conditions.

To accomplish these aims, many different types of materials are employed in the design and construction of
systems. For instance, common endothermic building materials include calcium silicate board, concrete and
gypsum wallboard. During fire testing of concrete floor slabs, water can be seen to boil out of a slab.
Gypsum wall board typically loses all its strength during a fire. The use of endothermic materials is
established and proven to be sound engineering practice. The chemically bound water inside these materials
sublimes. During this process, the unexposed side cannot exceed the boiling point of water. Once the
hydrates are spent, the temperature on the unexposed side of an endothermic fire barrier tends to rise rapidly.
Too much water can be a problem, however. Concrete slabs that are too wet, will literally explode in a fire,
which is why test laboratories insist on measuring water content of concrete and mortar in fire test
specimens, before running any fire tests. PFP measures can also include intumescents and ablative materials.
The point is, however, that whatever the nature of the materials, they on their own bear no rating. They must
be organised into systems, which bear a rating when installed in accordance with certification listings or
established catalogues, such as DIN 4102 Part 4 or the Canadian National Building Code.

Passive fire protection measures are intended to contain a fire in the fire compartment of origin, thus
limiting the spread of fire and smoke for a limited period of time, as determined the local building code and
fire code. Passive fire protection measures, such as firestops, fire walls, and fire doors, are tested to
determine the fire-resistance rating of the final assembly, usually expressed in terms of hours of fire
resistance (e.g., ⅓, ¾, 1, 1½, 2, 3, 4 hour). A certification listing provides the limitations of the rating.

Contrary to active fire protection measures, passive fire protection means do not typically require electric or
electronic activation or a degree of motion. Exceptions to that particular rule of thumb are fire dampers (fire-
resistive closures within air ducts, excluding grease ducts) and fire door closers, which must move, open and
shut in order to work, as well as all intumescent products, which swell, thus move, in order to function.

As the name suggests, passive fire protection remains inactive in the coating system until a fire occurs.
There are mainly two types of PFP: intumescent fire protection and vermiculite fire protection. In
vermiculite fire protection, the structural steel members are covered with vermiculite materials, mostly a
very thick layer. This is a cheaper option as compared to an intumescent one, but is very crude and
aesthetically unpleasant. Moreover, if the environment is corrosive in nature, then the vermiculite option is
not advisable, as there is the possibility of water seeping into it (because of the porous nature of
vermiculite), and there it is difficult to monitor for corrosion. Intumescent fireproofing is a layer of paint
which is applied along with the coating system on the structural steel members. The thickness of this
intumescent coating is dependent on the steel section used. For calculation of DFT (dry film thickness) a
factor called Hp/A (heated perimeter divided by cross sectional area), referred to as "section factor" and
expressed in m−1, is used. Intumescent coatings are applied as an intermediate coat in a coating system
(primer, intermediate, and top/finish coat). Because of the relatively low thickness of this intumescent
coating (usually in the 350- to 700-micrometer range), nice finish, and anti-corrosive nature, intumescent
coatings are preferred on the basis of aesthetics and performance.

In the eventuality of a fire, the steel structure will eventually collapse once the steel attains the critical core
temperature (around 550 degrees Celsius or 850 degrees Fahrenheit). The PFP system will only delay this
by creating a layer of char between the steel and fire. Depending upon the requirement, PFP systems can
provide fire ratings in excess of 120 minutes. PFP systems are highly recommended in infrastructure
projects as they can save lives and property.
PFP in a building can be described as a group of systems within systems. An installed firestop, for instance,
is a system that is based upon a product certification listing. It forms part of a fire-resistance rated wall or
floor, and this wall or floor forms part of a fire compartment which forms an integral part of the overall fire
safety plan of the building. The building itself, as a whole, can also be seen as a system.

Examples
Fire-resistance rated walls
Firewalls not only have a rating, they are also
designed to sub-divide buildings such that if
collapse occurs on one side, this will not affect the
other side. They can also be used to eliminate the
need for sprinklers, as a trade-off.
Fire-resistant glass glass using multi-layer
intumescent technology or wire mesh embedded
within the glass may be used in the fabrication of
fire-resistance rated windows in walls or fire
doors.
Fire-resistance rated floors This I beam has a fireproofing material sprayed
Occupancy separations (barriers designated as onto it as a form of passive fire protection.
occupancy separations are intended to segregate
parts of buildings, where different uses are on
each side; for instance, apartments on one side and stores on the other side of the occupancy
separation).
Closures (fire dampers) Sometimes firestops are treated in building codes identically to
closures. Canada de-rates closures, where, for instance a 2-hour closure is acceptable for use
in a 3-hour fire separation, so long as the fire separation is not an occupancy separation or
firewall. The lowered rating is then referred to as a fire protection rating, both for firestops,
unless they contain plastic pipes and regular closures.
Firestops
Grease ducts (These refer to ducts that lead from commercial cooking equipment such as
ranges, deep fryers and double-decker and conveyor-equipped pizza ovens to grease duct
fans.) In North America, grease ducts are made of minimum 16 gauge (1.6 mm) sheet metal,
all welded, and certified openings for cleaning, whereby the ducting is either inherently
manufactured to have a specific fire-resistance rating, OR it is ordinary 16 gauge ductwork with
an exterior layer of purpose-made and certified fireproofing. Either way, North American
grease ducts must comply with NFPA96 requirements.
Cable coating (application of fire retardants, which are either endothermic or intumescent, to
reduce flamespread and smoke development of combustible cable-jacketing)
Spray fireproofing (application of intumescent or endothermic paints, or fibrous or
cementitious plasters to keep substrates such as structural steel, electrical or mechanical
services, valves, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vessels, vessel skirts, bulkheads or decks
below either 140 °C for electrical items or ca. 500 °C for structural steel elements to maintain
operability of the item to be protected)
Fireproofing cladding (boards used for the same purpose and in the same applications as
spray fireproofing) Materials for such cladding include perlite, vermiculite, calcium silicate,
gypsum, intumescent epoxy, Durasteel (cellulose-fibre reinforced concrete and punched
sheet-metal bonded composite panels), MicroTherm
Enclosures (boxes or wraps made of fireproofing materials, including fire-resistive wraps and
tapes to protect speciality valves and other items deemed to require protection against fire and
heat—an analogy for this would be a safe) or the provision of circuit integrity measures to keep
electrical cables operational during an accidental fire.
Regulations
The most important goal of PFP is identical to that of all fire protection: life safety. This is mainly
accomplished by maintaining structural integrity for a time during the fire, and limiting the spread of fire
and the effects thereof (e.g., heat and smoke). Property protection and continuity of operations are usually
secondary objectives in codes. Exceptions include nuclear facilities and marine applications, as evacuation
may be more complex or impossible. Nuclear facilities, both buildings and ships, must also ensure the
nuclear reactor does not experience a nuclear meltdown.[3] In this case, fixing the reactor may be more
important than evacuation for key safety personnel.

Examples of testing that underlies certification listing:

Europe: BS EN 1364
Netherlands: NEN 6068
Germany: DIN 4102
United Kingdom: BS 476
Canada: ULC-S101
United States: ASTM E119

Each of these test procedures have very similar fire endurance

regimes and heat transfer limitations. Differences include the hose-
stream tests, which are unique to Canada and the United States,
whereas Germany includes a very rigorous impact test during the
fire for firewalls. Germany is unique in including heat induced
expansion and collapse of ferrous cable trays into account for
firestops, resulting in the favouring of firestop mortars, which tend
to hold the penetrating cable tray in place, whereas "softseals",
typically made of rockwool and elastomeric toppings, have been
demonstrated in testing by Otto Graf institute to be torn open and
rendered inoperable when the cable tray expands, pushes in and then
collapses.[4] Spin-offs from these basic tests cover closures, firestops
and more. Furnace operations, thermocoupling and reporting
requirements remain uniform within each country.
Cable tray cross barrier fire test per
In exterior applications for the offshore and the petroleum sectors,
German DIN 4102
the fire endurance testing uses a higher temperature and faster heat
rise, whereas in interior applications, such as office buildings,
factories and residential, the fire endurance is based upon
experiences gained from burning wood. The interior fire time/temperature curve is referred to as "ETK"
(Einheitstemperaturzeitkurve = standard time/temperature curve)[5] or the "building elements" curve,
whereas the high temperature variety is called the hydrocarbon curve as it is based on burning oil and gas
products, which burn hotter and faster. The most severe, and most rarely used, of all fire exposure tests is the
British "jetfire" test,[6] which has been used to some extent in the UK and Norway but is not typically found
in common regulations.

Typically, during the construction of buildings, fire protective systems must conform to the requirements of
building code that was in effect on the day that the building permit was applied for.[7] Enforcement for
compliance with building codes is typically the responsibility of municipal building departments.[8] Once
construction is complete, the building must maintain its design basis by remaining in compliance with the
current fire code, which is enforced by the fire prevention officers of the municipal fire department.[9] An
up-to-date fire protection plan,[10] containing a complete inventory and maintenance details of all fire
protection components, including firestops, fireproofing, fire sprinklers, fire detectors, fire alarm systems,
fire extinguishers, etc. are typical requirements for demonstration of compliance with applicable laws and
regulations. In order to know whether or not one's building is in compliance with fire safety regulations, it is
helpful to know what systems one has in place and what their installation and maintenance are based upon.

Changes to fire protection systems or items affecting the structural or fire-integrity or use (occupancy) of a
building is subject to regulatory scrutiny. A contemplated change to a facility requires a building permit,[11]
or, if the change is very minor, a review by the local fire prevention officer. Such reviews by the Authority
Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) also help to prevent potential problems that may not be apparent to a building
owner or contractors. Large and very common deficiencies in existing buildings include the disabling of fire
door closers through propping the doors open and running rugs through them and perforating fire-resistance
rated walls and floors without proper firestopping.[12]

"Old" versus "new"

Generally, one differentiates between "old" and "new" barrier systems. "Old" systems have been tested and
verified by governmental authorities including DIBt,[13] the British Standards Institute (BSI) and the
National Research Council's Institute for Research in Construction.[14] These organisations each publish in
codes and standards, wall and floor assembly details that can be used with generic, standardised
components, to achieve quantified fire-resistance ratings. Architects routinely refer to these details in
drawings to enable contractors to build passive fire protection barriers of certain ratings. The "old" systems
are sometimes added to, through testing performed in governmental laboratories such as those maintained
by Canada's Institute for Research in Construction, which then publishes the results in Canada's National
Building Code (NBC). Germany and the UK, by comparison, publish their "old" systems in respective
standards, DIN4102 Part 4 (Germany)[15] and BS476 (United Kingdom). "New" systems are typically based
on certification listings, whereby the installed configuration must comply with the tolerances set out in the
certification listing. The United Kingdom is an exception to this, whereby certification, although not testing,
is optional.

Countries with optional certification

Fire tests in the UK are reported in the form of test results, but contrary to North America and Germany,
building authorities do not require written proof that the materials that have been installed on site are
actually identical to the materials and products that were used in the test. The test report is also often
interpreted by engineers, as the test results are not communicated in the form of uniformly structured
listings. In the UK, and other countries which do not require certification, the proof that the manufacturer
has not substituted other materials apart from those used in the original testing is based on trust in the ethics
or the culpability of the manufacturer. While in North America and in Germany, product certification is the
key to the success and legal defensibility of passive fire protection barriers, alternate quality control
certifications of specific installation companies and their work is available, though not a legislative or
regulatory requirement. Still, the question of how one can be sure, apart from faith in the vendor, that what
was tested is identical to that which has been bought and installed is a matter of personal judgment. The
most highly publicised example of PFP systems which were not subject of certification and were declared
inoperable by the Authority Having Jurisdiction is the Thermo-Lag scandal, which was brought to light by
whistleblower Gerald W. Brown, who notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of the inadequacy of fire
testing for circuit integrity measures in use in licensed nuclear power plants. This led to a congressional
enquiry, significant press coverage and a large amount of remedial work on the part of the industry to
mitigate the problem. There is no known case a similar instance for PFP systems which were under the
follow-up regime of organisations holding national accreditation for product certification, such as DIBt[13]
or Underwriters Laboratories.
See also
Pressurisation ductwork
Smoke exhaust ductwork
Flammability
Mortar (firestop)
Firestop pillow
Drywall
Fire protection engineering
Fire-resistance rating

References
1. https://www.buildings.com/article-details/articleid/5851/title/the-basics-of-passive-fire-
protection-
2. "ASTM E119 – 15 Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and
Materials" (http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/DATABASE.CART/REDLINE_PAGES/E11
9.htm?L+mystore+nxjg6699). www.astm.org. Retrieved 2015-09-25.
3. "NRC: Fire Protection Program for Operating Reactors" (https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operatin
g/ops-experience/fire-protection.html). www.nrc.gov. Retrieved 2015-09-25.
4. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20080526004936/http://www.mpa.uni-stuttgart.d
e/organisation/fb_1/fb_1.html). Archived from the original (http://www.mpa.uni-stuttgart.de/orga
nisation/fb_1/fb_1.html) on 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
5. [1] (http://www.bauwerk-verlag.de/baulexikon/index.shtml?EINHEITS-TEMPERATUR-KURVE.
HTM)
6. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20080514065111/http://www.sintef.no/content/pa
ge1____4857.aspx). Archived from the original (http://www.sintef.no/content/page1____4857.a
spx) on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
7. "Building Code Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods" (http://www.dbh.govt.nz/buildin
g-code-compliance-documents). Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Retrieved
2015-09-25.
8. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20080116230209/http://www.miamidade.gov/buil
dingcode/). Archived from the original (http://www.miamidade.gov/buildingcode/) on 2008-01-
16. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
9. [2] (http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/firtmpl.asp?url=/content/firerescue/firecode/index.as
p) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20080605143048/http://www.montgomerycountymd.g
ov/firtmpl.asp?url=%2Fcontent%2Ffirerescue%2Ffirecode%2Findex.asp) 2008-06-05 at the
Wayback Machine
10. "NRC: 10 CFR 50.48 Fire protection" (https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part0
50/part050-0048.html). www.nrc.gov. Retrieved 2015-09-25.
11. "Toronto Building – Services – Living In Toronto" (http://www.toronto.ca/building/pop_permit.ht
m). www.toronto.ca. Retrieved 2015-09-25.
12. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20080210033832/http://td.ci.columbus.oh.us/Nei
ghborhoodsandResidents/Code_Enforcement/code_common_violations.asp). Archived from
the original (http://td.ci.columbus.oh.us/NeighborhoodsandResidents/Code_Enforcement/code
_common_violations.asp) on 2008-02-10. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
13. "DIBt – Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik" (http://www.dibt.de). www.dibt.de. Retrieved
2015-09-25.
14. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070913193141/http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/index_
e.html). Archived from the original (http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/index_e.html) on 2007-09-13.
Retrieved 2007-09-16.
15. "NABau" (http://www.nabau.din.de/cmd?artid=2243751&contextid=nabau&bcrumblevel=1&sub
committeeid=54751683&level=tpl-art-detailansicht&committeeid=54738847&languageid=de).
din.de.

External links
Association for Specialist Fire Protection (http://www.asfp.org.uk/)
Burning down the house (a trial by fire) (http://www.csiro.au/multimedia/Burning-house-trial.htm
l)
European Association for Passive Fire Protection (http://www.eapfp.com/)
AIA Approved Fire Rated Glass & Glazing Course (https://web.archive.org/web/200902031909
38/http://ceu.construction.com/crs.php?L=132&C=419)
Gütegemeinschaft Brandschutz im Ausbau (German PFP Association) (http://www.gba-brands
chutz.de/)
Passive Fire Protection Federation (PFPF) (http://pfpf.org/)
PFPF definition of passive fire protection (http://pfpf.org/pfpf_definition.htm)
International Firestop Council (http://www.firestop.org/)
Firestop Contractors International Association (http://www.fcia.org/)
Fire Protection Safety Procedures (https://web.archive.org/web/20190603034232/http://www.s
afety-procedures.com.au/)
Treatise on Active and Passive Fire Protection from UK Government (http://www.hse.gov.uk/co
mah/sragtech/techmeasfire.htm)
UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988/1989, 1993 and 2010 (http://ww
w.firesafe.org.uk/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/)

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