PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION
By: Engr. Edwin D. Soriano, PME, Pifpo Board of Director,Engineering Consultant
Agenda:
1. Importance of Passive Fire Protection (PFP)
2. Governing codes and standards
3. Areas of Passive Fire Protection in Buildings
4. Application of Passive Fire Protection Systems
Training Objective:
By the end of this training you should be able to successfully
1. Identify the correct method and systems to be specified on your design for
varying application of passive fire protection.
2. Can properly check quality and correctness of installation of passive fire
protection systems during construction.
3. Can perform audit on the effectivity of existing buildings passive fire
protection applications.
Source: Hilti (Youtube)
Importance of Passive Fire Protection (PFP)
Facts about Fire
• Fire and Smoke can spread throughout a
building within 5-6 minutes
• Smoke Travels at between 15 to 90 meters
per minute
• 60-70% of Fire related deaths are due to
smoke inhalation
• About 40% of death are people who were not
in the room of the source of fire
• and about 40% of the Survivors could not
see more than 3.5 meters during fire incident
Importance of Passive Fire Protection (PFP)
Fire Spread Simulation
Source: Hilti (Youtube)
Importance of Passive Fire Protection (PFP)
What is Passive Fire Protection (PFP)?
is an integral component of the components of structural fire
protection and fire safety in a building. It refers to materials built into
the structures that surround us which are intended to slow or
prevent the spread of fire. - Wikipedia
Purpose of Passive Fire Protection (PFP)
The purpose of PFP is to attempt to contain fires or slow the spread
to the building to maximise the time available to evacuate a property,
and giving way for a fire rescue to take place.
This are achieved by:
- Limiting the spread of Fire and Smoke
- Protecting Escape Routes
- Protecting the Building Structure
Steps in Ensuring your Passive Fire Protection (PFP) Works
“The Key in PFP design is Compartmentation”
Step 1: “Protect Escape Routes”. Ensure escape routes are
properly compartmentalized with proper fire and smoke barrier to
ensure efficient and safe discharge of occupants during fire.
Step 2: “Protect Spaces”. Ensure the compartmentation in
between spaces inside the building will limit the spread of fire and
smoke in a specific given time to aid occupants to find escape
routes and avoid premature spread of fire and smoke from one area
to another.
Step 3: “Protect Structural Elements”. Protecting the building
structure with PFP to ensure the building or property will not
collapse prematurely limiting the ability of occupants to escape and
making it difficult for the fire rescuers to penetrate the structure.
Governing Codes and Standards for PFP
1. Ra 9514 Fire Code of the Philippines Rule 10, Chapter 2,
Div. 6, “features of fire protection”
2. National Building Code Rule 6, Section 603 “fire resistive
standards”
3. NFPA 5000, Chapter 8 “Fire resistive materials and
construction”
4. ASTM e84 “Steiner Tunnel Chamber Test”/NFPA 255/UL 723,
for flame spread and smoke propagation index. Class A, B
or C.
5. ASTM e119/NFPA 251/UL 263 “Standard test method for fire
tests of building construction & materials
6. ASCE/SFPE 29 “standard calculation methods for structural
fire protection”
Governing Codes and Standards for PFP
7. NFPA 257/UL 9 “Standard on fire tests of window and glass
blocks”
8. ASTM e814/UL 1479 “Test method for fire tests of through
penetration fire stops” it should have F (hours ) and T
(temperature) and L (smoke penetration) ratings.
9. ASTM e1966/UL 2079 “Test method for fire resistive joint
systems”
10. ASTM e2307 “test method for determining fire resistance
of perimeter fire barrier systems”
11. NFPA 92A “standard for smoke control systems” for duct
and dampers.
4 Areas of Passive Fire Protection for your buildings
Structural Fire Protection - Structural fire protection guards essential
structural components (such as structural steel and joint systems) from
the effects of fire.
Compartmentation – This includes fire walls, fire rated floors, partitions,
ceilings, fire barriers (including ceiling cavity) and smoke barriers. Rated
walls and floors protect evacuation routes from fire and smoke migration.
Opening Protection – Fire Doors, Windows, glazing assemblies as part
of fire rated partition, including fire and smoke dampers (used in ducts)
considered as “opening protection” that completes the fire barrier where
air ducts penetrates fire rated assemblies and barriers.
Fire Stopping Materials - If the penetration isn’t properly sealed and
protected with an appropriate firestop system, the fire barrier is rendered
less effective, and fire will spread beyond the compartment of origin.
Application of Passive Fire Protection
Why do we need to fire protect structural steel
on buildings?
- This is to ensure that we maintain the structural integrity of the
structure during fire. Most steel members usually losses 50% of its
intended design strength when exposed at 550 deg. C.
Types of Structural Fire Protection
Intumescent Coatings – this is a specially formulated paints that swell-
up and form a protective insulated coating to the steel structure during
fire. This are usually applied to steel that requires up to 90 minutes fire
protection.
Cementitious Products – also know as mineral products or Portland
cement binders, this material are usually applied with low pressure
spray techniques to the profile of steel to be protected. Fire protection to
the steel by this product is achieved in 2-ways.
1. Cooling effect – trapped moisture [Link] the coating
evaporates as the surrounding temperature increases.
2. Thermal Insulation – this happens when all the moisture
evaporation has turned into steam
Board & Casing System – such as gypsum and cement boards
provide fire protection on steel by dry-fixing this products to steel.
Application of Passive Fire Protection
Intumescent Coating Application
Source: ASFP (youtube)
Application of Passive Fire Protection
Cementitious Coating Application
Source: ASFP (youtube)
Application of Passive Fire Protection (compartmentation)
Compartmentation – Through fire barriers that include fire-rated walls, floors, and
ceilings (often made of concrete, combination wood, gypsum, or masonry.
Compartmentation though fire rated partitions
- Fire rated partitions are usually a non-load bearing (although some systems may
have load bearing characteristics) internal walls that provide vertical fire separation.
This are proprietary partitioning systems used in dividing spaces, protected shafts,
stairs, lift wells, escape routes and separating roof and ceiling voids in between rooms
or properties. This can be achieved by specifying wall materials either by prescriptive
fire resistivity or by its performance through testing using the astm e119 test method or
other equivalent standards.
Compartmentation though fire rated floors and ceilings
- Floors are usually specified by designers by using timber, concrete, steel or a
composite material (steel/concrete systems). Fire resistance of floor will depend on This diagram highlights the paths of fire
material from which it is formed, the properties of that material in fire is essential in the propagation through improperly sealed
stability of the floor and on the means by which this materials are installed. wall penetrations. COURTESY OF IFC
Prescriptive Fire Resistivity of Compartmentation through codes
RA9514 FCP refers to NBC 602 and NFPA5000 as reference
for fire resistivity requirements.
Fire Resistivity of Compartmentation through performance tests
ASTM e119 test method
Application of Passive Fire Protection (opening protection)
PFP for Opening Protection – Compartmentations fire resistivity will always be compromised when
opening are introduced. This are usually the area where fire doors & windows are needed including
cavity barriers and the use of fire & smoke dampers where ducts penetrate fire rated assemblies to
complete the fire/smoke barriers.
Fire Doors
- Fire doors needs to be properly designed and fabricated passing a 3rd party
certification including its ironmongery (door hardware) as they are crucial in
protecting the escape routes and maintaining compartmentation. The level of
protection that the fire doors provide is measured on the time it takes before the
assembly allows passage of flames and smoke/gases.
Types of Fire Doors
1. Wood/Timber Doors – this are usually rated at min. 30mins to 60 minutes.
Gaps around doors should be b/w 3-4mm only and needs intumescent
perimeter seal to complete its fire resistivity.
2. Steel Doors – Are the recommended door assembly for requirements of Fire Doors fire resistivity are tested to comply with
more than 1 hour fire resistivity. Steel doors are typically not required to be NFPA 80/80a standards. Fire doors should be listed
provided with intumescent seals as long as the 3-4mm gap is maintained. and certified by 3rd party certification agency such as
3. Fire-Resisting Shutters – used in large openings that cannot be Underwriters Laboratory.
accommodated by usual fire doors. This is usually operated upward with
fusible or smoke activated link an/or attached to FDAS.
Best Practices for design and fabrication of Fire Doors
Fire Doors should be labeled properly by the
manufacturer and usually provided on the door panel
to ensure proper identification during construction and
maintenance operations.
Gaps between doors and jambs should be
maintained at 3-4mm. Gaps larger than this will
unlikely to hold fire and smoke.
Wood/Timber doors should always be provided
with intumescent seals to complete the fire
resistivity requirements. Wood doors w/o this are
usually rated at 20mins. Only.
Best Practices for design and fabrication of Fire Doors
To ensure that fire doors will prevent the spread of
smoke fire doors should be fitted with smoke seals,
usually made of polymer blades or brushes.
Hinges should be fire rated since this will ensure
structural stability of doors during fire. All other
hardware shall be from single manufacturer and
are fire rated.
Fire doors should always contain door closer
hardware to ensure that this closes automatically
during fire and seals the compartmentation. Fire
exit door should provide a no-hold open type
hardware.
Best Practices for design and fabrication of Fire Doors
If vision panels/glazing are present on doors, this
glazing should be a certified fire resistant and
intumescent seals around the glazing installation to
door leaf are recommended.
Fire escape doors should always be operable w/ only
1 hand movement during fire by specifying panic
hardware. If security is an issue that requires
additional lockset, electro-magnetic types attached to
FDAS should be specified to ensure this doors
unlocks in event of fire to facilitate evacuation.
If an air transfer grille is specified on fire doors,
this should contain a fusible link to aid automatic
closing.
Application of Passive Fire Protection (opening protection)
Fire Resistant Glazing
- Fire resistant glass must only be used as part of a fire-resistive glazed system.
This system includes the glass, together with the glazing seal, beads, bead
fixings, the frame and the fixings of the frames to the surrounding structure (door
or wall assembly). The components should all be compatible under fire
conditions and tested as an integrated assembly.
Fire Resistant Glazing Applications
• Internal and external fire doors (as vision panels or all-glass doors)
• Interior partitions and compartment walls
• Roofs and floors or ceilings Fire Resistant Glazing integrity is tested
• Façade glazing under NFPA 257/UL 9 methods.
• Escape and access corridors
• Stairways, lobbies and enclosure protected shafts
Types of Fire Resistant Glazing
1. Fire Protective Glass – Fire protective glass is typically used in doors and
openings up to 45 minutes and cannot exceed 25% of the total wall area
because it does not block radiant heat transmission.
2. Fire Resistive Glass – Can be used in wall and door applications 60
minutes and above without the size limitations.
Application of Passive Fire Protection (opening protection)
Cavity Fire Barriers - Voids on walls along façade cladding, ceiling
and roof cavity and other concealed spaces which are usually hidden
have detrimental effect on overall performance of compartmentation
during fire to prevent transfer of fire and smoke from one space to
another.
Cavity Fire Barriers Application (Areas to look out for)
1. Voids and gaps on ceiling cavity between slabs and partitions/walls.
2. Voids and gaps in between exterior walls and roof eaves/roofing
systems.
3. Voids and gaps in between floors and exterior wall cladding.
4. Voids and gaps in between floors and walls where there are utility
and other penetrations requirements.
Best Practices for an effective barrier system
• It will greatly depend on the supports, top fixing, edge fixing and
jointing systems.
• For Maximum integrity limit the drop height to 3.0 meters
• Fire resistivity rating should be the same as the compartmentation
• Must be installed in accordance with manufacturers standards and
instructions.
Application of Passive Fire Protection (opening protection)
Duct and Dampers – All duct penetrations on compartmentation should be ensure not to be a conduit for
transfer of fire. To maintain integrity of compartmentations fire resistivity a fire resistive duct and dampers are
installed.
Types of Ducts and Damper Systems
1. Fire Dampers – a fire damper is a device w/c Source: ASFP (youtube)
is installed at the point where the duct
penetrates the compartment wall or floors. In
fire situation, the damper closes automatically
to prevent the passage for period of time.
2. Fire resisting ductworks – designed using
propriety materials & fixing techniques, to
contain fire & the products of combustion in a
manner that does not allow passage from one
space to another in a given time period.
3. Self supporting fire resisting enclosures –
constructed w/o a steel lining duct, using self
supporting board and casing systems. It
provide fire protection in 2-ways; by cooling
w/c involves trapping moisture as it
evaporates w/ the rising temp.; and once all
the moisture has turned to steam the product
then behaves as a thermal insulation material.
Fire Stopping– effective fire stopping in fire-resisting separating elements plays a critical role in containing a fire at its source,
thereby reducing its effect on primary building structure. The degree of spread is controlled by creating fire- resisting compartment
which subdivide the building.
Where to apply fire stopping Source: ASFP (youtube)
Construction Joints/Wall Gaps
Floor Gaps on Façade
Utility Penetrations
Application of Passive Fire Protection
Interior Finishes – Interior finishes ASTM e84 “Steiner tunnel test”
specification plays a vital role in the fire safety
performance of a building. As specified under rule
10, specific occupancy types requires different
Class ratings either A, B, or C depending on its
flame spread and smoke propagation index
measured by qualified test method such as ASTM
e84..
Flame Spread and Smoke Development
Index (Class)
1. Class A or 1 = 0 to 25 FSI & 450 or less SDI
2. Class B or 2 = 26 to 75 FSI & 450 or less SDI
3. Class C or 3 = 76 to 200 & 450 or less SDI
Source: Govmark Testing Services
Remember: The key in
PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION
is maintaining the
structural integrity and
compartmentation
Fire resistivity
performance
Thank you!
Questions?
