A proactive approach to passive fire protection is required for the UK’s aging stock of high rise tower blocks, schools, care homes, hospitals and other public buildings.
The majority of passive fire protection technologies routinely installed in new build developments can be used to meet (or exceed) current Building Regulations and Approved Documents. New technologies include ablative batts and mastic insulation which can be used to fill voids that could aid the spread of fire between rooms and floors. The active intumescent ingredient chars and expands to block any fire passages.
Likewise with fire hazards such as service penetrations and construction joints, there are a range of fire stopping materials – fire collars, fire batts, fire rated sealants, intumescent sealants, fire stopping bricks and coatings, fire stopping mortar and pillows – which can be used to maintain the fundamental requirements of building compartmentation, structural stability, fire separation and safe means of escape.
