ASFP Guide to Inspecting Passive Fire Protection for Fire Risk Assessors. Association for Specialist Fire Protection

Transcription

1 ASFP Gide to Inspecting Passive Fire Protection for Fire Risk Assessors Association for Specialist Fire Protection

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3 Foreword I am very pleased to welcome this essential gide to inspecting passive fire protection for fire risk assessors. It lays ot clear, pragmatic gidance to enable the identification and inspection of all types of passive fire protection in the formation of a fire risk assessment, as reqired by legislation in the UK and Ireland This technical gidance docment will act as a valable tool for all those directly involved in the inspection and maintenance of passive fire protection. My congratlations and thanks go to Niall Rowan as technical athor of this docment and to the all those who have assisted and spported in its prodction with both time and expertise. Brian Robinson CBE, QFSM, FIFireE ASFP President

4 Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) The Association was formed in 1975 and crrently represents the majority of UK contractors and manfactrers of specialist fire protection prodcts, with associate members representing reglatory, certification, testing and conslting bodies. ASFP seeks to increase awareness and nderstanding of the natre of fire and the varios forms, fnctions and benefits provided by passive fire protection. It is willing to make available its specialist knowledge on all aspects of fire protection and can assist specifiers and main contractors in identifying prodcts sitable for specific reqirements, both in the UK and related overseas markets. Disclaimer Althogh care has been taken to ensre, to the best of or knowledge, that all data and information contained in this docment is accrate to the extent that it relates to either matters of fact or accepted practice or matters of opinion at the time of pblication, the Association for Specialist Fire Protection Limited will not be liable for any technical, editorial, typographical or other errors or omissions in or misinterpretations of the data and information provided in this docment. Since this docment may be sbject to change and pdating, the data and information which it contains is only correct at the date of pblication. The latest version of this pblication is freely downloadable from the ASFP web site at The latest date is indicated at the bottom of each page. Compliance with this ASFP docment does not of itself infer immnity from legal obligation. URLs All URLs sed in this docment were accessed in May The ASFP accepts no responsibility for the persistence or accracy of URLs referred to in this pblication, and does not garantee that any content on sch websites is, or will remain accrate or appropriate. Association for Specialist Fire Protection 2012 ASFP, Kingsley Hose, Ganders Bsiness Park, Kingsley, Bordon, Hampshire GU35 9LU, United Kingdom www. asfp.org.k Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0)

5 Acknowledgements The following organisations and persons are thanked for their assistance in prodcing this pblication. For provision of images: Chiltern International Fire/BM TRADA, DCLG, Exova Warringtonfire/Warrington Certification Ltd, Fire Indstry Association, Fireco Ltd, Glass and Glazing Federation, Graham Fieldhose, Gild of architectral Ironmongers, Hilti (UK) Ltd, Jacky Sinclair, Lorient UK Ltd, Loss Prevention Certification Board, Passive Fire Protection Federation, Pal White, Sharpfibre Ltd. For provision of material and information: GAI/Jacky Sinclair for material inclded in the text on fire doors, GGF for material sed in Annex E, Pal White for material inclded in the text on fire dampers, PFPF for material sed in Annexes E, F, G, I, J & K (sbseqently modified). Endorsements LABC flly spports ASFP s Gide to Inspecting Passive Fire Protection for Fire Risk Assessors. This docment is an excellent resorce for all fire risk assessors and will help ensre safety in bildings. We hope that this, along with the long overde registration and, recently pblished, competency criteria for fire risk assessors, will improve the effectiveness of fire risk assessment indstry and improve life safety. As a health and safety professional working in the social hosing arena I specialise in fire safety and I have spoken as an expert for the Hosing Qality Network and Inside Hosing. I write docments and risk assessment templates to assist persons carrying ot fire risk assessments. I have never taken the time to write endorsing a docment before bt, having read the ASFP Gide to Inspecting Passive Fire Protection for Fire Risk Assessors, I have conclded this is not a nice to have for a risk assessor it is a MUST have. Graham Fieldhose

6 Contents 1. Introdction 1.1 How to se this docment 1.2 Backgrond 1.3 Scope 1.4 Fire risk assessors (FRAs) Liabilities of the Responsible Person Skills Qalifications and experience Evalation of competence of fire risk assessors 1.5 What the fire risk assessor needs to do Strctred reasoned approach Means of escape Bilding layot Modern bildings Older bildings or those with no information 1.6 Evalation of PFP in escape rotes by the fire risk assessor General Third party certification CE marking Procedre 2. Lining materials for wall and ceilings on escape rotes 2.1 Extensive overpainting 2.2 Addition of carpets and other significant wall hangings 2.3 Wallcoverings Page No Fire doors 3.1 Is the door a fire door? 3.2 The importance of correct fitting of the door in the frame inclding door gaps 3.3 The importance of sitable fire tested ironmongery e.g. self-closing devices, latches etc. 3.4 The need for intmescent protection 3.5 The provision and condition of any smoke seals 5.6 The ability to self-close 3.7 Release of self-closing device 3.8 Emergency/panic escape doors 3.9 Air transfer grilles in fire doors

7 1 4. Constrction of fire-resisting walls, ceilings and floors forming escape rotes 5. Penetrating services in walls ceilings and floors forming escape rotes 5.1 General 5.2 Methodology Cables and pipes Dcts and dampers Spport for penetrating services 6. Other items of PFP 6.1 Fire protection to the strctre of the bilding 6.2 Cavity barriers 6.3 External fire spread 6.4 Sandwich panel constrction Annex A Checklist Annex B Wall & ceiling linings Annex C Fire doors Annex D Constrction of walls and floors forming escape rotes Annex E Fire-resisting glazing Annex F Fire-resisting ceilings Annex G Fire-stopping and penetration seals Annex H Fire dampers Annex I 4.1 Existing constrction 4.2 New constrction Layot Types of new constrction 4.3 Hidden spaces 4.4 Methodology Fire-resisting dcts Annex J Fire protection to strctral steel Annex K Sandwich panels Annex L References and reglatory docments Page No

8 1 1. Introdction This gide has been prodced to assist fire risk assessors (FRAs) to carry ot inspections of Passive Fire Protection (PFP) as part of a fire risk assessment nder appropriate fire safety legislation which incldes the: Reglatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England & Wales) (FSO) Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 Fire and Resce Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 General Application Reglations 2007 nder the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act Fire Services Act 1981 & 2003 (Ireland) It provides assessors with appropriate gidance for them to be able to verify that the PFP spporting means of escape is adeqate. The legislation referred to above is designed to save lives in the event of a fire bt does not necessarily cover the isse of property protection. Bilding owners or insrers wishing to ensre that the bilding is capable of withstanding the spread of fire for a period longer than that necessary to evacate its occpants shold contact the ASFP for frther gidance. 1.1 How to se this docment The fire risk assessor shold initially read this docment in its entirety to obtain a basic nderstanding of PFP and its role in means of escape. Thereafter, it can be sed as a reference sorce to assist the inspection process. Chapter 1 contains backgrond information, inclding a brief explanation of the relevant reglations Section 1.5 explains how to decide what to check to ensre life safety and where to get information on the location of installed PFP in the bilding. Chapters 2-6 explain how to identify each type of PFP, and what to look for. Frther information on each type of constrction is given in the Annexes starting on page 29, bt the main points to check are detailed in section 1.6. A checklist of what needs to be inspected for each type of PFP is given in Annex A. The checklist contains cross references to the relevant text in chapters 2-6.

9 1.2 Backgrond Passive Fire Protection prodcts are those bilt-in to the fabric of a bilding to restrict the growth and spread of fire and smoke. They do this by controlling the flammability of wall and ceiling linings; dividing the bilding into fireresisting compartments; providing protection to the strctre of the bilding to prevent its collapse; and providing protective rotes for escape. PFP prodcts inclde: fire doors, fire-resisting walls, floors and ceilings, fire-resisting dcts and dampers, fire-stopping, and fire protection to strctral members. The spporting gidance docments to the Bilding Reglations make reference to the PFP in a bilding. In the United Kingdom and Ireland the PFP measres that need to be considered are detailed in the following docments: England & Wales Approved Docment B 2006 (AD-B) Scotland Technical Handbook B 2010 Northern Ireland Technical Booklet E 2005 Ireland Technical Gidance Docment B 2006 Mch of the PFP inclded in the spporting gidance docments is designed to ensre that in the event of fire, the occpants can escape from a bilding; fire will not spread easily within it or to other bildings; the fire and resce service can attend safely; and the bilding will not collapse prematrely. As part of ndertaking a fire risk assessment, fire risk assessors will need to ndertake an evalation of PFP in a bilding. Whilst mch of the information given in this gide relates to the reglations listed above, this is mostly given in terms of fire-resistance sing conventional failre criteria. In practice, smoke is one of the major cases of deaths in fire and conseqently a competent risk assessor shold concentrate on passive fire protection measres that restrict the spread of smoke within the bilding Scope For the prposes of a fire risk assessment nder legislation in the UK or Ireland, the main aim is to redce the likelihood of a fire occrring to as near zero as is practical and for the occpants to be able to escape if a fire occrs. Conseqently, when

10 3 considering passive fire protection, sch a fire risk assessment only needs to verify that those measres spporting means of escape are satisfactory and do not compromise life safety. The assessment wold typically consider the operation and condition of any fire doors and an evalation of the condition of escape rote walls and ceilings protecting escape rotes, inclding any penetrating services. For example, sch an assessment wold inclde evalating the fire-resisting constrction in roof spaces, bt wold not normally inclde a detailed srvey of the fire protection to the strctral steelwork of a bilding. Whilst a fll investigation of all PFP is the ideal; it is generally not necessary for a fire risk assessment nder the crrent legislation. In addition, sch investigations cannot be ndertaken thoroghly withot a detailed and, in some cases, invasive inspection. More invasive inspections are described in Fire safety in prpose-bilt blocks of flats pblished by the Local Government Grop bt these are otside the scope of this docment and the capability and expertise of most fire risk assessors ndertaking rotine risk assessments. In addition, some high risk bildings which se a defend in place principle may reqire a thorogh detailed inspection. Shold this be reqired, or if dring a fire risk assessment significant isses or problems with the PFP are discovered, then the need for an appropriate professional site inspection shold be inclded in the report of the fire risk assessment. Table 1: Smmary of the applicable legislation Contry England & Wales Scotland N Ireland Ireland Relevant Act Reglatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) Fire Safety (Scotland) Reglations & Fire Scotland Act 2005 Reglatory Fire & Resce Services (N Ireland) Order 2006 General Application Reglations 2007 nder the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003 Person responsible Responsible Person Dty holder Appropriate Person Responsible Person (Employer/landlord) Person to do risk Responsible person Responsible person Responsible person assesment or sbcontractor or sbcontractor or sbcontractor Responsible person or sbcontractor People affected in Relevant persons Relevant persons Relevant persons Employees and persons connected with bilding the workplace Bilding Reglations Bilding Reglations Bilding (Scotland) Bilding (N Ireland) Bilding Control Reglations 1991, Reglations 2006 Reglations Stattory or Spporting Approved Docment B Gidance docments 2006 Technical Handbook B 2010 Technical Booklet E 2005 Technical Gidance Docment B 2006 Bilding Reglation 38/16b eqivalent CDM reglations or eqivalent Yes 94 to 97 No* 94 on No 94 on Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 No * Althogh Scottish Bilding Standards Officers can apply continos reqirements and fire safety design docments are part of those.

11 1.4 Fire risk assessors (FRAs) Liabilities of the Responsible Person Under the legislation, the Responsible Person (England, Wales and Ireland), the Dty Holder (Scotland), or the Appropriate Person (Northern Ireland) has to ndertake a fire risk assessment for the premises for which they are responsible. Where it is considered that sch expertise is not available in-hose then the Responsible Person (and eqivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland) may seek to employ a consltant or company to ndertake the assessment. Where external professional fire risk assessors are employed, it is important that they are competent, as criminal liability will arise for the Responsible Person (or national eqivalents) if the fire risk assessment is inadeqate and people are placed at risk of death or serios injry as a reslt. The Responsible Person also has to have in place a system for ensring that the integrity of any PFP measres is not compromised when alterations are carried ot on the bilding e.g. for the installation of new pipes, cables and other services. Records of these shold be made available for inspection by the fire risk assessor Skills A competent fire risk assessor will need to have an nderstanding of the intent, objectives and reqirements of the legislation. In terms of the PFP knowledge he will be expected to have knowledge of the design principles and the methods of constrction of bildings constrcted in accordance with appropriate standards and legislation. In particlar, he will need to have knowledge of the relevant fire protection measres, particlarly for means of escape and compartmentation of bildings Qalifications and experience There are no formal qalifications reqired to be a fire risk assessor, so it falls to the Responsible Person (or national eqivalents) to ensre that the appointee is competent to address the specific needs of the premises in relation to all passive fire protection measres installed. It is therefore imperative that the risk assessor is able to demonstrate that they have the appropriate expertise to ndertake the work in qestion. Following discssions between the Department of Commnities and Local Government (DCLG), the varios bodies registering and certificating fire risk assessors and other stakeholders, a gide to the reqired competence of fire risk

12 5 assessors was pblished in The intent is that it be sed as the basis of measrement of competency by certification bodies and others who assess persons offering fire risk assessment as a skill. It does not detail every aspect of the reqired knowledge as the bodies that se the gide and certificate assessors will be expected to have the reqired detailed knowledge. It can be downloaded from or the Passive Fire Protection Federation website, Evalation of competence of fire risk assessors The DCLG has facilitated discssions between all stakeholders in the fire risk assessment arena which has led to the pblication of a set of competency criteria for assessors to be jdged against. Organisations either certificating or registering fire risk assessors will se these criteria in their respective schemes to jdge the sitability of fire risk assessors. Responsible persons employing fire risk assessors shold ensre that they are a member of a third party scheme which evalates the competence of the assessor sing the competency concil criteria described above. 1.5 What the fire risk assessor needs to do Strctred reasoned approach The assessor mst have a strctred reasoned approach to the assessment of PFP in a bilding. The aim is to ensre that the means of escape is not compromised by deficient PFP and that the spread of fire and smoke is restricted. It is not to ensre that, for example, all the fire-resisting constrction on escape rotes and all compartmentation complies with Bilding Reglations; that is the fnction of bilding control, althogh the assessor shold have a fndamental knowledge of recognised gidance docments Means of escape The assessor needs to evalate what is needed for occpants to escape in the event of a fire and then evalate the PFP accordingly. This may not need to be as comprehensive as that given in AD-B and national eqivalents. To evalate what is needed for occpants to be able to escape in the event of fire, the assessor needs to look at the 7

13 occpancy of a bilding. Is it a hose of mltiple occpancy (HMO), a hotel, an office or possibly a block of flats? Each may rely on PFP to a greater or lesser extent and the fire risk assessor shold consider the following as examples of how the occpancy and the end se need to be taken into accont in his assessment of the PFP: A HMO will often be converted from an existing bilding which was not conceived to have several different families in it at one time. Conseqently, the inherent fire-resisting constrction may not be as good as one wold expect in, for example, a modern block of flats or an office bilding. Residents may be incapacitated throgh drink or drgs and any visitors will also be nfamiliar with the layot of the bilding and the recommended escape rotes. Many have defective fire alarms, there will be nobody on dty to raise the alarm and experience has shown that these properties tend to have a higher risk of fire. On the other hand, the occpiers shold be familiar with the layot of the bilding. A hotel will sally have well-specified PFP measres (althogh it too might have been converted) with appropriate fire-resisting constrction and some active fire protection. There is also sally somebody on dty at night to raise the alarm and assist with escape. On the other hand, residents may be incapacitated throgh drink or drgs and will be nfamiliar with the layot of the bilding and the recommended escape rotes. An office may have a high occpancy and may, in exceptional circmstances, have a high fire load. Also, it may rely pon phased evacation, which will pt greater reliance on the bilding s PFP. On the other hand, it is not a sleeping risk; most bsinesses shold have reasonable evacation procedres and the occpiers shold be familiar with the layot of the bilding and there may be active fire protection measres. A tall block of flats may have a stay-pt policy where fire resistance of an hor or more may be reqired. In sch circmstances, a fire risk assessor shold look more thoroghly at the fire-resisting constrction and, in particlar, at poorly sealed penetrations and imperfections of fit. PFP shold restrict smoke movement more than, for example, in a single story block where everyone can be evacated qickly. The assessor may also need to investigate ventilation systems e.g. bathroom extract systems and the extent to which they are commnal and incorporate fire dampers and/or shnt dcts. Flats converted from older bildings may be particlarly deficient in this respect. 6

14 7 A residential care home may have varying levels of PFP and may have been converted from an existing bilding. Residents are likely to have impaired awareness and movement. Sch a bilding may reqire extensive fire safety management procedres to facilitate safe evacation. The fire risk assessor will need to evalate the fire-resisting constrction, paying particlar attention to restricting the movement of smoke. A factory ndertaking hazardos processes e.g. cooking in a food factory, or in the manfactre and storage of hazardos goods, may have well-specified PFP measres and appropriate active system, bt the persons working at or visiting the factory may rely significantly on a high degree of fire safety management procedres. In other words, the fire risk assessor mst decide on what is needed in terms of PFP and then evalate what is there and see if it is adeqate. The risk assessment needs to be balanced and pertinent taking into accont the occpation and prpose of the bilding, the life safety fire strategy for the bilding and the extent to which fire-resisting constrction on escape rotes and fire compartmentation contribtes to that. For most low rise bildings a period of 30 mintes fire resistance is probably sfficient for means of escape. For taller bildings e.g. blocks of flats over six storeys, 60 mintes may be reqired in certain areas. However, the assessor mst be confident that this is adeqate (according to occpancy, height of bilding etc.) and check with the fire strategy docment (if there is one). If the bilding was designed sing BS 9999: 2008: Code of practice for fire safety in the design management and se of bildings, this allows jstification to redce the fire resistance periods from those specified in AD-B and national eqivalents. If the assessor is not sre then he shold se the periods from AD-B (or eqivalents) as the defalt times. Frther gidance to appropriate levels of fire resistance can be fond in specific docments referenced in Annex L. Finally, the local fire service Integrated Risk Management Plan may impact on the speed and response of the fire service, as may its policy on nwanted fire alarms Bilding layot To be able to decide on the appropriate level of PFP and evalate it, the assessor mst familiarise himself with the bilding layot and escape rotes. If a Fire Strategy docment exists this shold provide the reqired information and shold be considered with the bilding drawings.

15 Modern bildings a) Constrction Design and Management (CDM) Reglations (UK only) For a bilding constrcted after 1994 the Constrction Design and Management (CDM) Reglations Safety Plan shold provide details of the fire safety provisions inclding the appropriate PFP measres. b) Bilding Reglation 38 (formerly Reglation 16b) (England and Wales only) In addition to the CDM reglations, if the bilding was constrcted after April 2007, Reglation 38 (formerly Reglation 16b) of the Bilding Reglations applies in England and Wales. This reqires that sfficient fire safety information be provided for persons to operate and maintain the bilding in reasonable safety. An overview of what information is reqired in terms of PFP measres is provided in the Annex G of Approved Docment B, Volme 2. The information, which shold have been passed on by the main contractor in compliance with Reglation 38 is vital to ensre that the fire risk assessor is able to carry ot an sitable and sfficient fire risk assessment nder the FSO. Sch information, whether arising from the CDM Reglations or Reglation 38 will inclde details of fire-resisting constrction on escape rotes, fire compartmentation and other PFP information specified to satisfy AD-B and shold inclde the fire test and assessment reports and any third party certification. If the assessor can satisfactorily cross-check the plans with what he finds in the bilding then, providing there are no other factors that increase risk e.g. a change of occpancy or se of the bilding since it was constrcted, then this shold prove sfficient. However, the assessor mst be mindfl that the fire risk assessment is dynamic and not jst an exercise to prove compliance with a plan drawing. 8 c) Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 (Ireland) Owners of bildings constrcted or materially altered since Bilding Reglations came into force in 1991 will have a Fire Safety Certificate issed by the local athority prior to constrction. This approves the design bt not the constrction and it is the legislative responsibility of the new owner to ensre that the finished bilding complies with the approved design. It is reasonable to assme that if a bilding is constrcted and maintained in compliance with the Fire Safety Certificate issed by the Fire Prevention Office of the local athority it will meet the reqirements of other legislation.

16 9 Under the reglations, the responsible person mst carry ot a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan. This will reqire a thorogh knowledge of the approved fire safety design, the details of which are in the Fire Safety Certificate (inclding conditions) and the approved Fire Safety Certificate application. This docmentation shold be in the safety file. Copies are available from the local Fire Prevention Office Older bildings or those with no information For older bildings, or those where the information is not available, it may be impossible to determine the escape rotes and critical compartmentation other than by a srvey of the bilding layot from which the assessor will have to decide what level of PFP/fire-resisting constrction is appropriate. From this, he will create a docment that lists the escape rotes and where fire-resisting constrction is reqired as a basis for checking the PFP as part of the risk assessment. 1.6 Evalation of PFP in escape rotes by the fire risk assessor Generalby the fire risk assessor The type of constrction and age of the bilding are crcial in evalating the PFP of existing escape rotes. In older bildings it is possible that the type of constrction and materials sed may not perform to crrent fire test standards. Changes of occpier and/or refrbishment may have led to the creation of cavities and voids allowing the potential for fire and smoke to spread nseen. Damage to or removal of cavity barriers, and breaches in fire-resisting constrction may also have occrred de to the installation of new services, e.g. information and commnications technology systems cabling. The assessor shold investigate fire-resisting constrction on escape rotes and also note any breaches in fire compartmentation, where appropriate. In more modern bildings it is likely that there will be fewer voids; cavity barriers shold have been installed where appropriate and any breaches in fire-resisting constrction on escape rotes and compartment walls floors etc. for the provision of services shold have been adeqately fire-stopped. Irrespective of this, the fire risk assessor shold check for breaches in all fire-resisting constrction and inappropriate fire-stopping and ensre that it is recorded and remedied as part of his risk assessment.

17 1.6.2 Third party certification Passive Fire Protection prodcts shold be fit for prpose, properly installed and maintained in accordance with the manfactrer s instrctions or a relevant standard. Third-party certification schemes for sch prodcts and installers are an effective means of providing the fllest possible assrances, offering a level of qality, reliability and safety that non-certificated prodcts may lack. Fire risk assessors shold look for certificates of completion by third party certificated contractors in the CDM safety plan or in Reglation 38 information (England & Wales only). The se of third-party certificated prodcts and installers shold confirm to the assessor that all installed penetrations are effective since these installers are reglarly adited by the certification bodies, which condct random inspections of installations, adit the records and evalate the competence of installation staff. The ASFP strongly advocates the se of third-party certificated PFP prodcts and installers. However, this will not redce the amont of inspection reqired as the assessor will need to confirm that additional penetrations have not been made since the PFP was installed CE marking Under the Constrction Prodcts Directive it has been mandatory to CE mark constrction prodcts placed on the Eropean market, althogh some Member States, inclding UK and Ireland, chose not to make CE marking mandatory for prodcts sold within their bondaries. CE marking shows that a prodct meets the minimm legal reqirements to be placed on the market in terms of six Essential Reqirements, one of which is safety in case of fire. In 2011, the Constrction Prodcts Directive was replaced by the Constrction Prodcts Reglation which does not allow any Member State to opt ot of mandatory CE marking. Conseqently, from 1 Jly 2013, constrction prodcts covered by a harmonised Eropean prodct standard will have to be CE-marked before they can be sold in the EU. These inclde: fire doorsets and associated ironmongery, fire-resisting dcts and dampers. Many prodcts can be CE-marked already (for example, fire door ironmongery) and these provide some reassrance that the prodct has been adeqately evalated. 10

18 11 Fire-resisting floor constrction to protect rote above Efficient smoke seal False ceiling Fire-resisting partition constrcted p to nderside of floor overhead Protected rote Fire-resisting floor constrction Procedre To evalate the PFP associated with the means of escape, the fire risk assessor will need to examine: Lining materials for wall and ceilings on escape rotes Fire doors Constrction of walls, ceilings and floors forming escape rotes Penetrating services in walls ceilings and floors forming escape rotes e.g. dcts Other items of PFP, bt sally only in the corse of examining the items above These are considered below in appropriate detail. Frther detailed gidance on each type of constrction can be fond in Annexes B to K. Fire risk assessors shold take care when inspecting bildings that they follow all relevant health and safety gidelines. In particlar, hazards associated with confined spaces, working at height, protection against dst (which may inclde asbestos) and vermin shold be considered. A typical fire escape rote.

19 2. Lining materials for wall and ceilings on escape rotes Poor adhesion can lead to rapid flame spread. Cortesy of Exova Warringtonfire. The srfaces of any walls and ceilings in escape rotes shold be inspected to see if the materials forming the linings are satisfactory and that any additions e.g. extensive areas of notice boards, posters, carpets etc. do not case a hazard by aiding rapid fire spread along a corridor. The materials and constrction of the walls and ceilings themselves shold be satisfactory as these shold have been checked in the bilding control process. However, older bildings, or those where there have been recent changes e.g. after occpation will need to be checked. Sometimes the walls may be made of or lined with inherently flammable materials, sch as ntreated timber, and this wold not be acceptable. If the wall linings are fond not to be made of sitable materials (see Annex B), consideration shold be given to replacing them or adding a flame retardant or coating to pgrade their performance. The main area of concern is the se of decorative materials on the srface of any linings in escape rotes. These inclde significant overpainting, some heavy textred wallcoverings, and the addition of significant amonts of combstible items e.g. notice boards, posters, carpet etc. 2.1 Extensive overpainting Extensive overpainting in commnal areas of flats has been responsible for several fire deaths in the UK, inclding Sothwark (1991), Lambeth (1993), Birmingham (1995) and Glasgow (2002). A failre of the paint in an escalator shaft was also implicated in the fire at Kings Cross ndergrond station in The traditional soltion was to strip off all the old paint and redecorate. This process was impractical and expensive and conseqently, the paint indstry developed a soltion which involved testing paint on a very poorly performing artificial srface representing extensive overpainting. If the paint cold work on the artificial srface then it was deemed acceptable for se on overpainted areas. The assessor shold look for excessive overpainting and in particlar poor adhesion of the paint to the srfaces of escape rotes. If this is apparent, then the risk assessment shold recommend stripping back and redecorating or redecorating with a paint that has been shown to work on highly overpainted srfaces. 12

20 13 Flammable carpet on a wall can assist fire spread. Cortesy of Graham Fieldhose. 2.2 Addition of carpets and other significant wall hangings Bilding sers like to decorate plain walls with posters, paintings, carpets etc. In reasonable qantities e.g. 1m of 2 covering per 5m of wall these do not pose a significant hazard. However, if they are present in large qantities or are highly flammable then they can case rapid fire spread. In the Stardst Disco fire in Dblin in 1981, rapid fire spread p and along walls was associated with ordinary carpet tiles stck to the walls of the bilding. If these types of items are present in significant qantities, the fire risk assessor shold recommend removal or redction in sch material to a sitable level. It may also be possible to flame retard wall hangings, bt evidence of the reslting fire performance wold need to be obtained. 2.3 Wallcoverings Most wallcoverings in the types of premises inspected by fire risk assessors will already have been fire tested by the manfactrer on a sitable sbstrate, sch as skimmed plasterboard. The qestion sally only arises in cases where new wallcoverings have been added which may not have been tested. Sch wallcoverings may be heavy weight or have thick and/or heavily textred srfaces. These can assist rapid flame spread in an escape rote. Usally, the manfactrer (if he can be determined) will be able to spply sfficient test evidence of fire performance. If not, and if the escape rote is critical, the presence of sch wall coverings shold be noted and considered in the overall risk assessment. This may inclde a recommendation to replace it or to pgrade the performance by the addition of a fire retardant treatment. As with the addition of wall coverings, evidence of the application of a sitable flame retardant treatment wold need to be obtained. Wallcoverings which have been overpainted shold also be assessed becase the paint may compromise the fire performance of the wall covering. Frther gidance on lining materials for wall and ceilings can be fond in Annex B. 2

21 3. Fire Doors Door label from LPCB scheme. Cortesy of LPCB. Fire doors are crcial in protecting the means of escape in any bilding. Not all doors protect against the same hazard and doors serving single direction means of escape and protected stairways are more critical than others in less demanding sitations. Fire-resisting doors are generally only evalated in respect of their ability to resist the passage of flames; most place no restriction on the temperatre rise on the nexposed face. This creates a hazard to occpants which not all risk assessors may be comfortable with. A fire risk assessor shold consider whether an ninslated door is acceptable in the position it is installed. Reglatory gidance recommends doors which satisfy integrity for 20, 30, 60 or 90 mintes. These times are a good basis for new-bild, bt are not carved in stone. A risk assessor may consider that for some bildings, existing doors of a lower period of fire resistance are satisfactory or conversely, that doors of a higher performance may be needed to contain the risk. The objective of a fire risk assessment is not to ensre compliance with reglatory gidance, bt to maintain tenable conditions for the occpants. All fire doors in the bilding shold be inspected. These shold be easily identified as fire doors and marked accordingly. The following items shold be checked. Door label from BWF CERTIFIRE scheme. Cortesy of Warrington Certification Ltd Is the door a fire door? Fire doors may have been replaced by non-fire doors becase e.g. they have been damaged/worn by heavy traffic, they have become warped or e.g. in a block of flats, residents have simply replaced them for aesthetic reasons. If it is sspected that the doors are not original or are not fire doors, a check will need to be made to verify them. Yo shold look for a label or plg from a third party certification scheme sch as the BM TRADA, BWF CERTIFIRE, IFC Certification or LPCB schemes. The presence of labels/plgs from scheme providers is a reliable indication that the fire door has been certificated. It will also indicate the period of fire resistance that the door shold provide and, becase in most cases each label is nmbered, they can be sed to trace the door back to the manfactrer in the event of a problem or failre.

22 15 Door label from TRADA Q-mark Scheme. Cortesy of BM TRADA. An alternative is the presence of an FDIS (Fire Door Inspection Scheme) label on the hanging stile or the top of the door indicating that the door has been inspected by a third party certificated inspector. If a label is not apparent then the door may be qite old. If it is of solid, heavy constrction and if, for example, it is similar to others in the bilding in an area where fire doors have been sed, it is probably a fire door. A rle of thmb is that a 44mm thick door may have a fire resistance of 30 mintes and a 54mm door may have a fire resistance of 60 mintes. However, in view of the standards of the day, it wold probably not afford the same protection as its modern day eqivalent. If there is any dobt, the only safe option is to recommend that a professional opinion on the door s performance be obtained or to fit a proven replacement. Old fire doors and non-fire doors can be pgraded, bt nless the pgrading is something relatively simple like the addition of an intmescent strip, special skills are needed to do this, often inclding taking the door apart and ptting it back together again with extra intmescent protection. Sch pgrading is not recommended by the ASFP other than in exceptional circmstances where the historical integrity of the door mst be retained, and then it shold only carried ot by a specialist in the field. 3.2 The importance of correct fitting of the door in the frame inclding door gaps A fire door that has a large gap arond the periphery between the leaf and the frame is nlikely to hold back a fire. In fire tests, the doors are hng with gaps of sally less than 3mm and they shold not be significantly more than this in the bilding, typically 3-4mm. Large and/or variable gaps can arise de to movement of the frame in the bilding cased by general bilding movement or a failre to fix the frame properly to the wall or by warping of the door leaf e.g. de to environmental conditions. However, more sally, this is de to progressive failre of the ironmongery allowing the door to drop, ths increasing the gap arond the door. In addition, fire doors that drop on their hinges will eventally not close into the frame, so this is something that mst be remedied. If the door has dropped, remedial measres sch as replacing the hinges with better qality items (CE marked) shold be recommended. A black reside on the hinge and the floor beneath it is an indication of developing wear. If the doors are hng on floor pivots, as is often the case with steel doors, the same considerations apply. Fire Door Inspection Scheme door label. Cortesy of Fire Door Inspection Scheme.

23 3.3 The importance of sitable fire tested ironmongery e.g. self-closing devices, latches Fire door ironmongery is extremely complex as the combinations of available ironmongery inclding hinges, latches, locks, bolts, door viewers, psh plates etc. are almost infinite. Many are not compatible with each other or particlar types of door leaf and frame. Yo shold look for CE marking on the ironmongery. The presence of labels/ plgs from these scheme providers is a good indication that the fire door and its ironmongery are compatible. It is possible that the door cold have been modified after it was installed and so yo shold se the following checks as a rle of thmb: Worn hinges allow door to drop. Cortesy of Jacky Sinclair. The door shold be hng on a minimm of three hinges which are not damaged or worn, allowing the door to drop. If the door has a latch, it shold operate correctly, it shold be aligned with the striker plate and the angle of the striker plate shold be correct so that the door is closed properly by the door closer. The door shold be fitted with a self-closing device, sch as an overhead or frame fitted door closer. The se of rising btts, while acceptable for older properties, is not recommended now becase they will not close a door from every angle or overcome latch resistance Any knobs, handles and pll levers shold be fire-resisting and secrely fitted (throgh bolts are better than screw fixings) The door shold be labelled as a fire door If the door has a letter plate, consideration shold be given to fitting a device which can help prevent arson attack e.g. by items or flammable liqid being passed throgh the door. 16

24 17 Intmescent seal in door frame. Cortesy of Timber Research and Development Association Combined acostic/smoke seal Image. Cortesy of Lorient UK Ltd 3.4 The need for intmescent protection a) Arond the periphery of the door leaf or frame Withot intmescent protection to the periphery of a door leaf, the fire and smoke will simply pass arond the perimeter of the door leaf. The fire risk assessor shold check for the presence and the condition of intmescent seals at the top and both side edges. Seals may be located in the leaf or in the frame and occasionally behind the door lipping, which will only be apparent if the door is labelled accordingly. For older bildings, it may be that the doors do not have intmescent strips, in which case only a nominal 20 mintes of fire resistance may be expected. Crrent recommendations wold always be to inclde an intmescent strip which wold sally afford 30 mintes fire resistance. Metal doors are not sally fitted with intmescent strips. b) To ironmongery Normal practice is to inclde intmescent protection at ironmongery positions, for example, in the form of intmescent pads for hinges and intmescent linings to the lock. Otherwise, excessive heat transfer by the ironmongery can case prematre failre, or even case the leaf to fall from the frame. Ironmongery protection is especially important for 1 hor fire-resisting timber doors. 3.5 The provision and condition of smoke seals Many fire doors are now fitted with smoke seals to redce the amont of smoke leakage throgh the door. These are very important to protect escape rotes and in other sitations e.g. the se of stay pt strategies in blocks of flats. The seals are sally a wiping polymer blade, a brsh or sometimes a batwing type in the rebate of the frame. The assessor shold check that the smoke seal is present, that it is in good condition (no missing/damaged blades etc.) and that it fills the gap between the frame and the door. Smoke seals shold not be interrpted at ironmongery positions. Threshold gaps greater than 3mm shold also be sealed. 3.6 The ability to self-close A fire door that does not self-close or which is not locked sht (e.g. a cpboard door) is not a fire door. It is crcially important that fire doors close, solely by the action of the self-closing device from any angle. In most cases, failre to close correctly or overcome the resistance of the latch can be rectified by proper adjstment of the door closer and/or striker plate. Recent changes to AD-B (England & Wales only) have relaxed the reqirement to fit a door closer to internal fire doors in mlti-storey domestic dwellings where hard wired smoke detectors have been fitted.

25 Overhead door closer with integral release device. Cortesy of Fireco Ltd. 3.7 Release of self-closing device The ability of any door retention device to release correctly on the operation of the appropriate signal from the fire alarm and detection system needs to be reglarly checked. Many fire doors are held open by either an electromagnetic device or an acostic/radio linked mechanical device operating on the door closer or the leaf. On activation of the fire alarm, these devices shold release the door and it shold flly sht as indicated above. The records of checks to verify that these devices release on operation of the fire alarm shold be adited. If these cannot be verified then a check shold be made dring the risk assessment. 3.8 Emergency / panic escape doors Doors sed for means of escape (which may not necessarily be fire doors e.g. at the final exit of a bilding) mst be able to be opened easily. The following checks shold be made: Typical panic exit device. Only one hand movement sch as trning a lever or pressing on a psh pad or bar shold be needed to open an emergency escape door A panic escape door shold be able to be opened by body contact alone Exterior doors may be affected by the weather and not open easily Check that the doors are adeqately signed There shold be no extra secrity ties. A variety of CE marked electronic devices connected to the fire alarm are available for ensring secrity of escape doors Air transfer grille operated in conjnction with fire alarm system. Cortesy of Lorient UK Ltd Air transfer grilles in fire doors If a fire door protecting a means of escape is fitted with an air transfer grille then it needs to be a type linked to a sitable fire detection/alarm system. Thermally triggered dampers e.g. those operated by a fsible link and intmescent dampers are not sitable for these sitations. The fire risk assessor shold check that the intmescent matrix is present and that the operation of any sch air transfer grille has been reglarly checked and recorded. More gidance is given in Annex C on fire doors.

26 19 4. Constrction of fire-resisting walls, ceilings and floors forming escape rotes Section throgh profiled metal of concrete floor. A typical fire resisting corridor with fire resisting glazing and doors. 4.1 Existing constrction For most bildings, it shold not be necessary to extensively evalate the fire-resisting constrction sed in escape rotes or in compartmentation as these shold have been covered by the bilding control process. For example, in an office bilding, the nmber and constrction of the floors (which will often be concrete) are nlikely to change. This contrasts with the sitation with wall and ceiling linings and to a lesser extent fire doors and sspended ceilings which are likely be changed dring the life of the bilding for aesthetic reasons. 4.2 New constrction The only changes in fire-resisting constrction of walls and floors that are likely to occr are those where the internal layot has been changed e.g. by relocating, replacing or demolishing internal partitions (changes de to the inclsion of new services etc. are dealt with in chapter 5). In this case, the fire risk assessor needs to verify that the new constrction is still sitable for se as an escape rote in two regards; layot and type of constrction Layot The fire risk assessor needs to check that any modifications have not affected the means of escape, for example, by significantly increasing travel distances, or removing some of the fire doors. Changes in the constrction and layot of internal walls may occr dring the life of the bilding and may not be examined by Bilding Control so it is very important that the fire risk assessor evalates these. For a new bilding, it shold be easy to check any modifications against what was originally constrcted sing the CDM file or Reglation 38 information (England & Wales only) and the fire strategy docment (if there is one). For both new and old bildings the assessor needs to satisfy himself that any changes reslt in a bilding that still provides adeqate means of escape Types of new constrction a) Fire resistant walls and floors The assessor will need to check that the type of constrction e.g. materials sed in any replacement constrction are sitably fire-resisting. The new constrction may be traditional deemed to satisfy fire-resisting constrction (brick/block walls, plasterboard partitions, etc.) or it cold be for example a proprietary partitioning system which may inclde fire-resisting glazing (pictre left). In the latter case, the fire risk assessor shold be able to obtain

27 evidence that the system (inclding the glazing) is fire resisting. If evidence is not available, then the assessor needs to take this into accont in his overall assessment. For example, if non-fire resisting constrction has been sed, the fire risk assessor will have to recommend replacement. If no evidence as to the level of fire resistance can be fond then the only way to verify this will be by invasive inspection e.g. by a third party inspection body. If this is not practical, then the assessor may need to consider the se of compensating measres in his assessment. Frther gidance is given in Annex D and E. A typical sspended ceiling system. Plasterboard fixed fll height Partition fixed to strctral soffit Vertical compartmentation taken p to nderside of floor slab (correct). Sspended ceiling Sealant b) Fire resistant ceilings Sspended ceilings are often viewed by bilding occpiers as simply there for aesthetic reasons and it is essential that the fire risk assessor knows exactly the prpose of the installed system in the fire strategy of the bilding. This is particlarly important becase it is easy to downgrade a ceiling from the original intended fire rating e.g. by the fitting of ntested downlighters. The first essential of inspection, therefore, is to know exactly the intended performance of the ceiling system. Once this is known and drawings or installation data have been obtained, the inspection shold show if the original plans have been adhered to. If this information is not available, then the assessor mst assme that the ceiling is not fireresisting. If this is significant e.g. if it means that fire can spread via the ceiling void over compartment walls which have not been taken floor slab to floor slab, then the assessor shold note this in his assessment and recommend inspection by a third party to verify if the ceiling is fire-resisting or not, or alternatively, to recommend replacement. One of the most common falts fond in existing ceilings is that hold-down clips are removed and not replaced when maintenance work has been condcted behind the ceiling. If tiles are a loose fit, the original design shold be checked, since pressre increases dring a fire condition can remove lightweight tiles. Damage to tiles is common and replacement with tiles from another manfactrer cold lead to a prematre failre in a fire. Tiles that are damaged shold be replaced with ones of the correct type. Frther gidance on the constrction of ceilings is given in Annex D and E. 20

28 Hidden spaces In addition to checking the materials and constrction of the walls, floors and ceilings in escape rotes, it is crcially important that the assessor ensres that these extend above sspended ceilings to the floor slab (or eqivalent) above and below the raised floors to the floor slab below. There are many instances where an ot of sight ot of mind mentality reslts in fire-resisting constrction being compromised becase it is not extended from floor slab to floor slab. Vertical compartmentation not extending p to floor slab above (incorrect). Cortesy of Exova Warringtonfire. 4.4 Methodology The assessor will need to inspect all fire-resisting walls, ceilings and floors forming escape rotes and evalate the condition of the fire separating elements. He will also need to look above sspended ceilings abtting walls that bond escape rotes especially at corridor ends. It is nreasonable and impractical to lift every ceiling tile to examine the whole length of sch walls, bt a selection from each escape rote will give the assessor an idea of the condition of the fire-resisting constrction. Remote video eqipment and/or the se of torches to illminate any holes will assist. A torch or lamp placed on one side of a wall while the assessor looks at the other side for any light shining throgh is an indicator of the degree to which the wall is sealed against the passage of smoke. The assessor shold to pay particlar attention to walls above sspended ceilings at corridor ends (where there will sally be fire-resisting doors) as the wall above the sspended ceiling may not extend flly to the floor slab above. In addition its fire resistance may be compromised by services rnning throgh the wall that have not been adeqately fire stopped see chapter 5. For raised floors, it shold be possible to lift a nmber of floor tiles near the edges of fire-resisting walls and se a torch to look for the installation of sitable cavity barriers. Compartment floor with a hole passing throgh to the laminate floor in the flat above (incorrect). Cortesy of Sharpfibre Ltd.

29 5. Penetrating services in walls, ceiling and floors forming escape rotes Correctly installed penetration seals. Cortesy of Siderise Ltd. 5.1 General If a fire separating element is to be effective, every joint or imperfection of fit, or opening to allow services to pass throgh the element, needs to be adeqately protected by sealing or fire stopping so that the fire resistance of the element is not impaired. The provision of fire-resisting walls, ceilings and floors forming escape rotes is most commonly compromised by the installation of penetrating services (pipes, cables, air handling eqipment etc.) throgh the wall or floor. In new bildings, the Bilding Reglations address this by reqiring the inclsion of sitable fire-stopping. However, this is often compromised by: Use of poor qality prodcts. The ASFP recommends the se of third party certificated prodcts Poor qality/lack of installation. The ASFP recommends the se of third party certificated contractors Addition, removal or modification of penetrating services after the bilding is completed withot correct reinstatement of the fire-stopping. Becase this sally occrs after the bilding control and handover process is complete, it is often not picked p becase it is ot of sight. Only a reglar inspection and maintenance regime will identify this. In some cases, it will be the fire risk assessor who will be the first person to discover and record this. Incorrect se of foam as a penetration seal. Cortesy of Siderise Ltd. 5.2 Methodology The assessor shold se the inspection methodology described in 4.4 above and logically, it shold be ndertaken simltaneosly. Again, it is not practical or reasonable to inspect every installation, bt a representative sample from each escape rote shold sffice. The assessor shold look at the condition of cables, pipes, dcts and dampers. 22

30 23 Power cables penetrating a compartment floor with no penetration seal installed (incorrect). Cortesy of Sharpfibre Ltd Cables and pipes The assessor will need to ensre that any services penetrating walls or floors abtting escape rotes are adeqately sealed where they penetrate the wall or floor. He shold pay particlar attention to penetration services above sspended ceilings where they might have been installed and not made good afterwards. The presence of any throgh holes or gaps is not acceptable and these mst be made good with appropriate tested/certificated constrction that is compatible with the existing penetration seal. There are a variety of proprietary materials and prodcts sed to seal penetrations inclding intmescent collars and wraps, fire-resisting mortars, coated mineral fibre batts, fire-resisting pillows etc. The fire risk assessor is not expected to be an expert in all of these, bt he shold be aware of the limitations of the generic material types. The assessor shold be particlarly vigilant if he discovers the se of expanded foam as a penetration sealing material. Most of these are tested as narrow linear gap seals and will not work in a large penetration seal. Frther gidance is given in Annex G inclding gidance on PU foams Dcts and Dampers Where air handling dcts pass throgh fire separating elements the integrity of those elements is maintained by sing one of three basic methods: Method 1: Protection sing fire dampers; Method 2: Protection sing fire resistant enclosres; Method 3: Protection sing fire-resisting dctwork The assessor mst nderstand which method has been sed to ndertake his risk assessment. Where air handling systems pass throgh fire-resisting constrction on escape rotes or compartment walls and floors forming escape rotes, particlar attention needs to be placed on the following: Method 1: Protection sing fire dampers A fire damper is a device which is installed at the point where the dct penetrates the compartment wall or floor. Fire dampers shold be sitated within the thickness of the fire seperating element and be secrely fixed. The fire damper allows the ventilated air in normal conditions to pass throgh a dct, wall or partition. In a fire sitation it closes atomatically to prevent the passage of fire for a stiplated time period. Closing of fire dampers can be

31 Poorly installed penetration seal to a damper. Cortesy of Exova Warringtonfire Ltd. 24 effected by fsible links (heat sensitive devices e.g. solders) which release a spring-activated mechanism which closes the damper, or the fire damper itself may comprise a matrix of material coated with intmescent which swells p and closes the opening when heated. Where a fire damper is installed e.g. where a dctwork system serves more than one part of a sb-divided escape rote or the se of the bilding represents a sleeping risk, the fire dampers need to be of the type that is activated by a smoke detector or sitable fire detection system. Thermally triggered fire dampers are not acceptable for these applications. The fire risk assessor shold examine records to verify that operation of the damper has been checked on a reglar basis. If these records cannot be obtained the operation of the fire dampers shold be verified by the assessor or a more thorogh specialist third party inspection ndertaken. Fire dampers shold be provided with adeqate means of access to allow inspection, testing and maintenance of both the damper and the actating mechanism. If there is no access to fire dampers or it is very limited, the assessor shold note this in his risk assessment and recommend that access be provided. He shold also consider an invasive inspection by a third party inspector. The same considerations with regard to adeqately sealing arond penetrating cables and pipes also apply to fire dampers. Particlar attention shold be paid to the penetration seal srronding the fire damper. Frther gidance on fire dampers inclding the scope of applicability and maintenance reqirements is given in Annex H. Method 2: Protection sing fire resistant enclosres Where fire protection of the air handling system penetrating fire-resisting constrction and forming an escape rote is provided by fire resistant enclosres e.g. a service dct or protected shaft, the assessor and needs to verify the fire resistance of the constrction. Sch fire-resisting enclosres may be made from traditional constrction, for example, plasterboard shaft wall, or they may be proprietary service dcts and shafts sing e.g. calcim silicate, cement-based or other fire-resisting board materials. A representative sample of protected shaft shold be inspected where it is accessible and where it passes throgh compartment walls abtting escape rotes sing the methodology given in 4.4. If the assessor is not confident that the enclosre provides adeqate separation he shold note this in his risk assessment and consider a more thorogh invasive inspection by a third party inspector.

32 25 In this installation, the dampers are not in the plane of the wall, the dct is not protected and it is nlikely that the dampers have been tested in a celllar beam. Cortesy of Pal White. Method 3: Protection sing fire resistant dctwork Steel dctwork systems for air movements arond bildings are generally constrcted to the Heating and Ventilation Contractors Association gide DW/144, which covers constrction standards in the manfactre of sheet metal dctwork. However, most general prpose ventilation dctwork systems constrcted to this standard offer little or no protection against fire spread and cannot be sed or converted into fire-resisting dctwork nless the system has been tested against the appropriate standard. There are a variety of proprietary tested and certificated fire-resisting dcts which, provided they are adeqately spported and sealed where they penetrate the element, obviate the need for fire dampers in fire-resisting walls and floors forming escape rotes. If fire-resisting dctwork is sed, the assessor will need to verify that it is fireresisting for the reqired period. If records of the installation of fire-resisting dctwork cannot be fond e.g. from the CDM file or the Reglation 38 information (England & Wales only), a representative sample of fire-resisting dctwork shold be inspected where it is accessible and where it passes throgh compartment walls and those abtting escape rotes sing the methodology given in 4.4. The same sealing and spporting of fire-resisting dcts where they pass throgh the separating element is especially important as these are often large and heavy items and a failre of the spports will significantly breach fire-resisting constrction. More information on dcts is given in Annex I Spport for penetrating services Penetrating services will need to be spported either side of the wall or floor to ensre that in a fire any drooping or sagging of the service does not damage the penetration seal and ths breach fire-resisting constrction. Some types of penetration seal e.g. mineral fibre batt are more ssceptible to damage by collapse of the service than others e.g. fire-resisting mortars.

33 Slmping of intmescent paint on a celllar beam. Cortesy of Exova Warringtonfire Ltd. 6. Other items of PFP While the assessor is inspecting the items above, he shold be aware of other items of PFP installed in the bilding and take note of their condition to ensre that there are no obvios significant defects. While these other items (listed below) may not constitte means of escape, they have a role to play in the provision of life safety and, for example, if the assessor ncovers sbstantial omissions, defects etc., he shold note this in his risk assessment and call for a more thorogh and, if necessary, invasive inspection by a specialist third party inspector. 6.1 Fire protection to the strctre of the bilding If the bilding is steel-framed there will sally be fire protection applied to some or all elements of the steel o strctre. Steel will lose approximately half its strength when it is heated to 550 C, a temperatre qickly exceeded by most fires and so it is important to inslate the strctre to prevent its collapse. The steel is inslated by a nmber of proprietary prodcts inclding: intmescent coatings (which swell on heating to form as protective char), plaster or cementitios-based sprays, cladding systems made from fire-resisting boards or mineral fibre prodcts. The fire risk assessor does not need to be an expert in sch systems, or even to srvey the bilding to evalate the effectiveness of these prodcts. However, he shold, while he is inspecting the other items of PFP covered by this docment, be aware of damage to or obvios omissions e.g. removal of fire protection to strctral steel work. If he finds any obvios and significant defects, he shold note this in his assessment and call for a fll and, if necessary, invasive third party inspection. Frther information on fire protection to strctral steelwork is given in Annex J. 26

34 27 Cavity barrier below raised floor. Rainscreen cavity barrier system. 6.2 Cavity barriers Cavity barriers are sed to close a concealed space, sch as that in a cavity wall or ceiling void or roof space, against penetration of smoke or flame, or provided to restrict the movement of smoke or flame within sch a space. Cavity barriers reqire special attention from the designer becase by their very natre they are sally hidden once installed and are therefore sometimes impossible to inspect after installation, handover and sbseqently throgh the life of the bilding. Failre of cavity barrier systems have been implicated in a nmber of fires in, for example, timber-framed constrction. Recommendations on the provision of cavity barriers are given in AD-B and the eqivalent gidance for Scotland or Northern Ireland. In most applications they wold be expected to have fire resistance of 30 mintes integrity and 15 mintes inslation, except in Scotland where certain applications have no inslation reqirement. The fire risk assessor does not need to be an expert in sch systems, or even to srvey the bilding to evalate the effectiveness of these prodcts (apart from those positioned in line with and protecting escape rotes (see 4.4) and those in roof spaces. However, he shold, while he is inspecting the other items of PFP covered by this docment, be aware of damage to or obvios omissions of cavity barriers. If he finds any obvios and significant defects, he shold note this in his assessment and call for a fll and, if necessary, invasive third party inspection. 6.3 External fire spread If the bilding has a discrete external façade, this can provide the potential for significant spread of fire p the face of the bilding. Several fires reslting in fatalities have been exacerbated by fire spread p the otside of the bilding, bt inside the rain screen cladding. These fires can then re-enter the bilding e.g. via windows. Conseqently, when assessing bildings with any applied rainscreen or external cladding e.g. high rise offices or blocks of flats, particlar attention shold be given to any rainscreen or other external cladding system that has been applied and to any façades that have been replaced. It is nlikely that the fire risk assessor will be able to inspect this item himself. Conseqently, he shold look at the records of the installation of the system provided by the installer. If he is in any dobt, he may reqire the assistance of a specialist third party inspection organisation to determine whether there is adeqate provision of rainscreen cavity barriers.

35 Examples of sandwich panel constrction. Example of a modern bilding employing sandwich panel type constrction Sandwich panel constrction Many bildings have inslated core panels as exterior cladding or for internal strctres and partitions. They normally consist of a central inslated core, sandwiched between an inner and oter metal skin with no air gap. The external srface is coated with a polymeric coating (sally PVC) to improve weather resistance and/or the aesthetic appeal of the panel. The central core can be made of varios inslating materials, ranging from non-combstible mineral wool throgh to highly combstible polymeric foams. Many indstries, inclding the food indstry, se inslated core panels becase it is relatively easy to make alterations to the panels, for example, for the provision of services and for additional internal partitions to be erected with minimm disrption to bsiness. A nmber of fires in bildings where combstible-cored inslated panels have been sed extensively in the fabric of the bilding have highlighted the particlar dangers that may be associated with this form of constrction. Many of the problems are de to alterations to the panel system by the occpier. The fire risk assessor shold check for the following when inspecting bildings made from or incorporating sandwich panels. Installation of heating appliances, e.g. ovens against panels shold be prohibited. Hot working in the vicinity of panels shold be prohibited or spervised extensively Storage of highly combstible materials against panels and allowing rbbish to collect against panels shold be prohibited Ad-hoc repairs or modifications to panels not in compliance with the manfactrer s instrctions or recommendations shold be prohibited. Particlar attention shold be given where openings have been made for doors, windows, and other penetrating services that these are effectively sealed and that the core is not exposed. That any loads, sch as storage and eqipment, are only spported by panels which have been designed and installed to perform this fnction. That the panels are correctly secred to the strctre, or are designed to be independently strctrally secre. The se of combstible panels in areas of bildings with a high life risk, e.g. where large nmbers of people are present and/or sleeping, shold be careflly considered in the fire risk assessment. More information can be fond in Annex K.

36 29 Annex A: Checklist The fire risk assessor will need to draw p a checklist related to the PFP he is going to check in the particlar bilding being assessed. The list below identifies what needs to be checked for each type of constrction. Gidance on how to check it is given in the chapter reference in the left hand colmn. Item & Ref Wall & ceiling linings Chapter 2 Fire doors Chapter 3 Description Reasonable limitation of linings that might promote fire spread Condition of overpainted walls Presence of heavy weight/significantly textred wallcoverings Presence of flammable items e.g. carpets Sitable records Is it a fire door? Is it certificated? Correct door gaps ~3-4mm Sitable ironmongery - Labelled (CE marked) - 3 hinges - Operation of lock, latch and striker - Presence of self-closing device - Secre knobs handles etc. Presence and condition of intmescent/ smoke seals - Arond periphery - To glazing - To ironmongery - To threshold (if >3mm) Atomatic release of self-closing device Panic exit devices Air transfer grilles not thermally activated bt linked to fire detection in escape rotes Third party certificated prodcts/installers Sitable records Findings

37 Item & Ref Walls, floors & ceilings on escape rotes Chapter 4 Description New constrction/alteration - Fire-resisting constrction - Changes to means of escape - Role of sspended ceilings - Hold down clips present - Extention of fire-resisting constrction floor slab to floor slab - Holes/poor firestopping in hidden spaces Third party certificated prodcts/installers Sitable records Findings Penetrating services (cables & pipes) Chapter 5 (5.1, & 5.2.3) Penetrating services (air handling eqipment Chapter 5 (5.1, & 5.2.3) All penetrating cable and pipe services - Sitably fire-stopped - Sitably spported - Good condition/ndamaged Third party certificated prodcts/installers Sitable records All penetrating dcts and dampers - Sitably fire-stopped - Sitably spported - Good condition/ndamaged Method of air handling nderstood - Method 1: Fire damper operation checked & linked to detection system - Method 2: Fire-resisting constrction - Method 3: Fire-resisting dcts Third party certificated prodcts/installers Sitable records 30

38 31 Item & Ref Other PFP items Chapter 6 ( ) Sandwich panel constrction Chapter 6 (6.4) Description Fire protection to strctral frame (where visible) - Good condition - Records Cavity barriers (where visible) - Present - Good condition Third party certificated prodcts/installers? Sitable records Fire-resisting constrction? - Assessment of core material verss end-se - All repairs or modifications ndertaken competently - Good condition Operational considerations - No heating appliances adjacent to walls/floors/ceilings - No storage of highly combstible materials next to walls/floors.ceilings Any hot working to be extensively spervised Sitable records Findings

39 Annex B: Wall and ceiling linings The materials sed to line walls and ceilings can contribte significantly to the spread of flame across their srface. Most materials that are sed as srface linings will fall into one of three classes of reaction to fire. The following are common examples of acceptable materials for varios sitations: Non-Combstible (Eroclass A1-s3, d2); or Materials of limited combstibility (Eroclass A2-s3, d2): Materials sitable for circlation spaces and escape rotes Sch materials inclde brickwork, blockwork, concrete, ceramic tiles, plaster finishes, mineral wool, mineral fibre tiles or sheets with cement binding. Class 0 (Eroclass B-s3, d2): Materials sitable for circlation spaces and escape rotes As non-combstible/limited combstibility above pls rendering on wood or metal lathes, wood-wool cement slabs and mineral fibre tiles or sheets with cement or resin binding. Note: Additional finishes to these srfaces may be detrimental to the fire performance of the srface and if there is any dobt abot this then conslt the manfactrer of the finish. Delaminated paint that has brned in a fire. Cortesy of Exova Warringtonfire. Class 1 (Eroclass C-s3, d2): Materials sitable for se in all rooms bt not on escape rotes As Class 0 above, pls timber, hardboard, blockboard, particle board, heavy flock wallpapers and thermosetting plastics will be sitable if flame-retardant treated to achieve a Class 1 standard. Class 3 (Eroclass D-s3, d2): Materials sitable for se in rooms of less than 30m As Class 1 above, pls those that have not been flame-retardant treated and certain dense timber or plywood and standard glass-reinforced polyesters. 32 Appropriate testing procedres are detailed in BS 476: Parts 6 & 7 and where appropriate BS EN

40 33 Frther gidance ASFP, Orange Book: Gidance on the classification for reaction to fire performance of fire retardant coating systems; or ASFP, Technical Gidance Docment 5: Gide to Class 1 and Class 0; or Department for Edcation, Bilding Blletin100 (for edcational establishment); Exova Warringtonfire, Code of Practice: Refrbishment of Commnal Bildings and the Fire Risk of Mltilayer Paints.

41 Annex C: Fire-resisting doors 34 Door closer, see BS EN 1154 Hinges - see BS EN 1935 Annex B. Hinges shold be tested as part of the door set - see BS EN for frther information Ideally the frame shold be to the same standard as the door, prchased together as door set Vision panel shold be fire-resisting glazing Door handles and locs - see BS EN 1906 Annex C and BS EN Annex A respectively for frther information. Door handles and locks shold be tested as part of a door set - see BS EN for frther information Intmescent strip and cold smoke seal to resist the passage of smoke and fire Fire-resisting doors are necessary in any doorway located in a fire-resisting strctre and are rated by their performance when fire tested to an appropriate standard, sally BS 476: Part 22:1987 or EN : The level of protection provided by the door is measred, primarily by determining the time taken for a fire to breach the integrity (E), of the door assembly, ths allowing the passage of hot gases and flame. It may be possible to pgrade the fire resistance of existing doors, however the skills reqired to do this are otside the expertise of many installers and it may be cheaper to replace them. Timber fire doors Timber fire-resisting doors normally reqire a gap of nominally 3-4mm between the door leaf and the frame. However, slightly larger gaps may be necessary to ensre that the door closes flsh into its frame when smoke seals are fitted. To maintain the fire-resistance the gap is normally protected by installing an intmescent seal, in either the door or the frame. The intmescent seal expands in the early stages of a fire and enhances the protection given by the door.

42 35 Additional smoke seals will restrict the spread of smoke at ambient temperatres. Doors fitted with smoke seals, either incorporated in the intmescent seal or fitted separately, have their classification code sffixed with an S or Sa to BS 476: Part 31.1 and BS EN , respectively. The principal fire-resisting door categories are: Description of fire and smoke resistance British Class Eropean Class 20 mintes fire resistance 20 mintes fire resistance & smoke resistance at ambient temperatre 30 mintes fire resistance 30 mintes fire resistance & smoke resistance at ambient temperatre 60 mintes fire resistance 60 mintes fire resistance & smoke resistance at ambient temperatre FD20 FD20S FD30 FD30S FD60 FD60S E20 E20Sa E30 E30Sa E60 E60Sa Replacement hinge badly fitted to door. Cortesy of Gild of Architectral Ironmongers. Metal fire doors Althogh the majority of fire-resisting doors are made from timber, metal fire-resisting doors, which meet the appropriate standard, can often be sed for the same prpose. There are sitations where they are more appropriate. The majority of metal fire-resisting door manfactrers will reqire the se of bespoke frames and hardware for their door sets. Metal fire-resisting doorsets are not sally fitted with intmescent strips. Alternative door hanging Althogh the most common method of hanging a door is to se single axis hinges, alternative methods are employed where the door is reqired to be doble swing or monted on pivots for other reasons, sch as finger trap protection and emergency access for normally inward-opening doors. Floor-monted controlled door closing devices are the most common method reglarly fond with timber, glass and steel doors, while transommonted devices are commonly sed with alminim sections.

43 Self-closing devices All fire-resisting doors, other than those to locked cpboards and service dcts, shold be fitted with an appropriately controlled self-closing device that will effectively close the door from any angle. In certain circmstances, concealed, jamb-monted closing devices may be specified and in these cases shold be capable of closing the door from any angle and against any latch fitted to the door; spring hinges are nlikely to be sitable. Frther information is available in BS EN Rising btt hinges are not sitable for se as a self-closing device de to their inability to close and latch the door from any angle and the need to remove material from the top of the door. Atomatic door hold-open/release devices for self-closing fire doors These devices are designed to hold open self-closing fire doors or allow them to swing free dring normal se. In the event of a fire alarm, the device will then release the door atomatically, allowing the self-closing mechanism to close the door. Sch devices are particlarly sefl in sitations where self-closing doors on escape rotes are sed reglarly by a significant nmber of people or by people with impaired mobility who may have difficlty in opening the doors. Typical examples of sch devices inclde: Electro-magnetic devices complying with BS EN 1155 (low voltage) or BS 5839: Part 3 (mains voltage) fitted to the fire-resisting door, which release when the fire detection and warning system operates, allowing a separate self-closer to close the door. Where sch devices are separate from the door closer, they shold be fitted in a manner that avoids twisting of the door which may case damage e.g. by casing warping and preferably on the same level as the closing device. Electro-magnetic hold-open devices within the controlled door-closing device (complying with BS EN 1155) which cease to fnction on the operation of the fire detection and warning system; and Free swing controlled door-closing devices, which operate by allowing the door leaf to work independently of the closing device in normal conditions. An electro-magnetic device within the spring mechanism linked to the fire detection and warning system ensres that the door resmes self-closing on the operation of the system. 36

44 37 Voids in a fire door. Cortesy of Chiltern Fire/BM TRADA. 39 Atomatic door hold-open/release devices fitted to doors protecting escape rotes shold only be installed in conjnction with an atomatic fire detection and warning system incorporating smoke detectors, that is designed to protect the escape rotes in the bilding. In all cases, the atomatic device shold release the fire-resisting door allowing it to close effectively within its frame (latching secrely if a latch is fitted) when any of the following conditions occr: Acostically-activated door release mechanisms An acostically-activated door release mechanism complying with BS EN 1155 may be installed in some cases. However, this type of hold-open device is not sitable for se where: the detection of smoke by an atomatic detector the actation of the fire detection/alarm system by manal means e.g. operation of break glass call point; any failre of the fire detection and alarm system; or any electrical power failre. The premises do not have a fire alarm system; The door is a fire door serving the only escape stair in the bilding (or the only escape stair serving part of the bilding); The initial fire alarm warning signal is intended to alert staff only; The fire alarm sonders may be mted or the sond level redced; or The fire alarm system incorporates a voice alarm. This type of device cold fail to operate where a single fire alarm sonder failre may reslt in a drop in sond pressre. It also will not operate in response to electrical mains failre or dring an alarm falt or failre condition. Door co-ordinators Where pairs of doors with rebated meeting stiles are installed it is critical that the correct closing order is maintained. Door coordinators to BS EN 1158 shold be fitted and be flly operational in all cases where the doors are self-closing. Installation and workmanship The reliability and performance of correctly specified fire-resisting doors can be ndermined by inadeqate installation. It is important that installers with the necessary level of skill and knowledge are sed. Certification schemes for installers of fire-resisting doors are available. Fire-resisting doors and shtters will reqire rotine maintenance, particlarly to power operation and release of closing mechanisms.

45 Door-fastening devices Any device that impedes people making good their escape, either by being nnecessarily complicated to maniplate or not being readily operable is not acceptable. However, it is recognised that in many cases the need for secrity will reqire some form of access control. Electronic devices mst be connected to the fire alarm system, so they fail open in a fire emergency. Mechanical devices sch as digital locks shold be operated by lever handles, not knobs, and shold be the only device reqiring maniplation to open the door. In premises where there are members of the pblic present or others who are not familiar with the bilding, panic exit devices (i.e. psh bars or toch bars) shold be sed on final exit doors. See BS EN 1125 for frther information. Emergency exit device on door Premises that have limited nmbers of staff or others who are familiar with the bilding and where panic is not likely may se emergency exit devices (i.e. psh pads or lever handles with emergency escape locks). See BS EN 179 for frther information. In some larger premises, when only staff are on the premises and there is a secrity isse, it may be acceptable to restrict the nmber of emergency exits immediately available, e.g. when only secrity staff are present at night, or prior to opening the premises in the morning. Staff shold be made flly aware of any restrictions and the nmber of exits not immediately available shold be limited. Third Party Certification In addition to the third party certification scheme labels shown in 3.1 operated by BM TRADA and BWF CERTIFIRE, IFC Certification and LPCB also offer schemes. The scheme rn by BM TRADA also sed the labelling system shown left for doors installed prior to BM TRADA labelling scheme pre Cortesy of Chiltern Fire/BM TRADA.

46 39 Frther gidance BSI, BS 8124: 2008: Code of Practice for Fire Door Assemblies Door and Hardware Federation and the Gild of Architectral Ironmongers, Code of Practice: Hardware for Fire and Escape Doors; British Woodworking Federation; or Passive Fire Protection Federation, Data sheets; Timber doors: Steel doors: Indstrial and commercial doors Department for Commnities and Local Government, Appendix B of the fire risk assessment gides for each bilding type; or Association for Specialist Door Manfactrers, Best Practice Gide; or Intmescent Fire Seals Association, Information sheets and Risk Assessment Commniqés on the se of intmescent seals in doors and glazing system; or 41

47 Annex D: Constrction of walls and floors forming escape rotes Fire-resisting walls Common examples of types of wall constrction that provide 30 mintes of fire resistance to escape rotes if constrcted to the above standards are: Internal-framed constrction wall, non-load bearing, consisting of 72mm x 37mm timber stds at 600mm centres and faced with 12.5mm of plasterboard with all joints taped and filled Internal-framed constrction, non-load bearing, consisting of channel section steel stds at 600mm centres faced with 12.5mm of plasterboard with all joints taped and filled; and Masonry cavity wall consisting of solid bricks of clay, brick earth, shale, concrete or calcim silicate, with a minimm thickness of 90mm on each leaf. In many bildings proprietary internal partitions (sally, bt not always plasterboard based) will be sed. These are sally tested to British or Eropean Standards as follows: Non-loadbearing walls and partitions: BS 476: Part 22 or EN : 1999 Loadbearing walls and partitions: BS 476: Part 21 or EN : 1999 It shold be possible for the fire risk assessor to verify if these have been constrcted correctly by reference to appropriate spporting information which shold reside in the CDM file or Reglation 38 information (England and Wales only). Frther gidance ASFP, Prple Book: Fire-resisting partitions, 2nd Edition, A gide to internally framed non loadbearing partitions; or 40 Passive Fire Protection Federation, Data sheet; or

48 41 Typical fire-resisting floor Fire-resisting floors In larger and/or modern bildings, the fire resistance of the floor is sally provided by a concrete floor on a steel or concrete framework. Older, smaller and timber-framed bildings are likely to have timber joist floors, the fire resistance of which will depend on the existing floor constrction, as well as the type of ceiling finish beneath. In older bildings, there may be a reqirement to provide fire resistance between beams and joists. A typical example of a 30-minte fire-resisting timber floor is tonge and groove softwood of not less than 15mm finished thickness on 37mm timber joists, with a ceiling below of one layer of plasterboard to a thickness of 12.5mm with joints taped and filled and backed by spporting timber. The fire resistance of loadbearing floors is evalated by testing to BS 476: Part 21: 1987 or EN : Any fire protection to floors will have been approved dring the bilding control process and the assessor only needs to look for breaches or damage whilst checking for other items. If he finds these he shold note it in his risk assessment and call for a more thorogh third party inspection. There are other methods and prodcts available which will achieve the reqired standard of fire resistance. If the fire risk assessor is nsre as to how the bilding is constrcted, then he shold ask for an appropriate srvey from an independent third party inspection organisation.

49 Annex E: Fire-resisting glass The fire resistance of glazed screens, either as part of a partition or as a separate element, is evalated by testing to BS476: Part 22: 1987 or EN : 1999 Fire-resisting glass mst only be sed as part of a fire-resisting glazed system. Sch a system incldes the glass, together with the glazing seal, beads, bead fixings, the frame and the fixings of the frame to the srronding strctre. All these components mst be compatible nder fire conditions and the fll system mst have been proven as an integrated assembly. It is never acceptable to mix-and-match components from different fire-resisting glazed systems. Types of fire-resisting glass. Cortesy of Passive Fire Protection Federation. Steel frame section Intmescent edge seal Bedding material Steel clamping strip Spacer/ inslating board Inslating glass Cover channel Typical components of a steel fire resisting glazed screen. A variety of different technologies can be sed for fire-resisting glass. For integrity performance, these inclde wired glass (where the wire mesh is within the body of the glass), modified toghened soda lime glass, glass ceramic, toghened borosilicate and fire-resisting plastic interlayer laminate (either clear or wired). Both integrity and integrity with inslation performance are provided by gel-filled nits and special intmescent laminates. In all cases, specific performance details shold be obtained directly from the manfactrer, since performance differs from one glazed system to another. Types of framing system A variety of different framing systems are approved and inclde timber, steel, alminim and composite frames which may involve a combination of materials (sch as calcim silicate boards with metal covers). Each system mst be separately approved, based on test evidence for that particlar system. So-called frameless, or btt-jointed, systems are also available where any framing is redced to the minimm of top and bottom spporting cills. In these systems, the vertical joints typically contain a fire-rated seal compond. Similar systems are also available with vertical minimal width profiles sed to cover the vertical joint, allowing decorative effects to be applied on the profile. In all cases, the application will be governed by the system approval, which will define the frame dimensions, overall assembly size, glazing details and applicable glass pane sizes. Sbstittions of components in approved systems mst not be made withot appropriate approval e.g. an assessment by a UKAS-accredited test laboratory or a fire consltant specialising in that type of constrction. 42

50 43 Edge cover Bead height Bead width Rebate depth Glazing seals Tight size or apertre size Bead angle Marking of the glass Fire-resisting glass shold be clearly marked with an indelible and permanent mark, which shold, as a minimm, show the glass prodct name, the safety impact rating, if reqired, according to BS 6206: 1981: Specification for impact performance reqirements for flat safety glass and safety plastics for se in bildings. This applies, in particlar, to clear fire-resisting glass types that cannot easily be distingished from non-fire rated clear glass types. This mark shold be visible and legible after installation so that it can be readily checked, for example, dring fire risk assessments. If this is not the case, then the spplier shold be asked to confirm the prodct and its marking. Note: The marking on the glass, however, shold not necessarily be taken as applying to the fire performance of the system as a whole. The fire performance of the system has to be confirmed by reference to the original docmentation provided on installation. Fixings (screws or pins) Setting block Section throgh glazing in a timber door Frther gidance Glass and Glazing Federation, Gide to Best Practice in the Specification and Use of Fire-Resistant Glazed Systems; or Passive Fire Protection Federation, Data sheet; or

51 Typical sspended ceiling with removable inslated ceiling tiles Section throgh inslated fire resisting ceiling 44 Annex F: Fire-resisting ceilings There are varios types of fire-rated ceiling and it is essential that the fire risk assessor nderstands the role of the ceiling in providing fire resistance (if any). Essentially there are three types of fire-resisting sspended ceiling: BS 476: Part 23 compliant: This test measres the contribtion a sspended ceiling can make to the fire performance of steel beams. This test is the least oneros of the BS 476: Parts 20 to 23 tests and is limited solely to evalating the protection a sspended ceiling can provide. BS 476: Part 21 compliant: In the Part 21 test, a complete flooring system, inclding the sspended ceiling, is tested for integrity, inslation and loadbearing capacity. All parts of the constrction contribte to this sspended ceiling, steel or timber beams and the flooring. With the test carried ot nder a defined design load and with a positive pressre below the sspended ceiling of 18Pa, the Part 21 test is mch more severe than that in Part 23. Some ceilings can achieve 60 mintes fire resistance. BS 476: Part 22 compliant: The least sed part of the British Standard is Part 22, where the ceiling element is non-loadbearing and is reqired to provide an integrity and inslation performance independent from the spporting floor constrction. The ceiling may act as a horizontal partition either sspended from a secondary strctre or spanning a corridor to provide fire protection. In some instances, there are recommendations for protection in both directions. The ceiling shold protect services in the ceiling void from fire in the room or corridor; eqally, fire resistance may be needed to safegard the corridor from brning electrical cables and other services located behind the sspended ceiling. The correct rating for a sspended ceiling is particlarly relevant when considering areas of pblic access, sch as in retail premises that may be refitted for aesthetic reasons. Shold a system tested to Part 21 of BS 476, for example, be replaced with one of a lesser fire rating, sch as a Part 23 system, the whole fire strategy may be compromised. Similarly, the removal of an old ceiling system withot replacement, de to a change in se of the bilding, may also materially compromise the fire performance. Ceilings are part of the in-bilt strctral fire protection plans in many instances and mst be considered as sch when refrbishments or changes of se are planned for bildings. There are other methods and prodcts available which will achieve the reqired standard of fire resistance. If the frafire risk assessor is nsre as to how the bilding is constrcted, then he shold ask for an appropriate srvey from an independent third party inspection organisation Frther gidance Passive Fire Protection Federation, Data sheet; or

52 45 Annex G: Fire-stopping and penetration seals Correctly installed pipe penetration. Cortesy of Hilti (UK) Ltd. Mechanical and electrical services, by necessity, breach fire-resisting constrction on escape rotes and compartment walls and floors will allow the passage of smoke and flame if not adeqately fire-stopped. There is a wide range of prodcts that are designed for se as fire-stopping and penetration seals. These inclde prodcts based pon mineral wool; high and low pressre intmescents, mortars, pillows filled with fire-resisting materials, plgs and blocks, elastomers, ptties, foams and mastics. Evalation of the fire resistance of fire-stopping and penetration seals has traditionally been ndertaken by sing ad-hoc procedres based on BS 476: Part 22: 1987 as there was no dedicated British Standard for these. Increasingly, manfactrers are sing the Eropean standard EN for penetration seals and EN for linear gap seals. The Eropean standards are more rigoros and contain a wealth of gidance on how to test these prodcts. The crcial isses for fire-stopping are poor installation and/or the breaching of fire-resisting constrction on escape rotes and fire compartmentation after installation and handover. Unlike e.g. a fire door where any defective remedial work will normally be readily apparent and easily inspected, defects in fire-stopping and penetration sealing often remain ot of sight and conseqently often ot of mind. The fire risk assessor in checking for the presence and condition of penetration seals in walls forming escape rotes will be able to at least perform a first-aid check on service penetrations. However, to evalate the condition of fire-stopping, inspection other than in areas that are readily accessible, is nlikely to be an option and/or too invasive. The best soltion for ensring that fire-stopping is installed properly is to se third party certified contractors. These are reqired to se trained staff, whose competence has been evalated and whose records are sbject to adit by the certification body and whose work is sbject to random inspection by qalified inspectors. However, if in the corse of his first-aid inspection if fire-stopping, the assessor discovers significant failings, he shold ask for an appropriate srvey from an independent third party inspection organisation. This prodct shold only be sed to seal linear gaps between walls and walls/ floors/ceilings. It cannot be sed to seal pipe or cable penetrations nless tested for that end-se application. Cortesy of Sharpfibre Ltd.

53 Frther gidance ASFP, Red Book: Fire-stopping - linear joint seals, penetration seals and small cavity barriers; or Passive Fire Protection Federation, Data sheet; or ASFP, Advisory Notes: Using polyrethane foams in fire-stopping of combstible pipes with an internal diameter of 40mm or less; or Intmescent Fire Seals Association, Information sheets and Risk Assessment Commniqés on the se of intmescent seals in doors and glazing system; or 46

54 47 Fire damper correctly installed in the plane of the wall with no damage to the penetration seal. Cortesy of Pal White. Annex H: Fire dampers Sitability of fire dampers Fire dampers activated by fsible links are not generally sitable for protecting escape rotes nless they are a fire and smoke damper (60 minte ES classification when tested to BS EN ). Fire dampers are not generally sitable for extract dctwork serving kitchens becase of the likely bild-p of grease which can affect their activation. Fire dampers shold be sitated within the thickness of the fire separating element and be secrely fixed. It is also necessary to ensre that, in a fire, expansion of the dctwork wold not psh the fire damper throgh the strctre. Fire dampers shold be tested to BS EN : 1999 and be classified to BS EN : They shold have an E classification eqal to, or greater than, 60 mintes. Intmescent fire dampers may be tested to ISO Fire and smoke dampers shold also be tested to BS EN : 1999 and be classified to BS EN : They shold have an ES classification eqal to, or greater than, 60 mintes. Fire dampers tested sing ad-hoc procedres based on BS476 may only be sed for fan-off sitations. It is not possible to obtain an E or ES classification for a damper tested to BS 476, so dampers for sleeping risk areas and escape rotes shold be tested to EN Maintenance of fire dampers (BS 9999) Gidance on the maintenance of fire dampers can be fond in: BS 9999: 2008: Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and se of bildings as follows: Annex W (normative): Rotine inspection and maintenance of ventilation and air conditioning dctwork states: All fire dampers shold be tested by a competent person on completion of the installation and at reglar intervals not exceeding two years, and be repaired or replaced immediately if fond to be falty. Spring-operated fire dampers shold be tested annally and fire dampers sitated in dst-laden and similar atmospheres shold be tested mch more freqently, at periods sited to the degree of polltion.

55 Annex V (normative): Rotine inspection and maintenance of fire safety installations. This reqires smoke control systems and their components to be tested as often as weekly, however, these are otside the scope of this pblication which concentrates on PFP. BS EN 15650, Annex D This incldes a table of recommended inspections which shold be carried ot every three months. Frther gidance ASFP, Grey Book: Fire dampers (Eropean standards), 2nd edition; or Bilding and Engineering Services Association (formerly HVCA), HVCA DW 145: Gide to good practice for the installation of fire dampers; or Passive Fire Protection Federation, Data sheet; or 48

56 49 Annex I: Fire-resisting dcts Installations of fire resisting dctwork. Cortesy of StGobain Isover (top) and Fire Protection Ltd (bottom) Fire-resisting dctwork may need to pass throgh fire-resisting constrction on escape rotes and compartment walls or floors that will have prescribed fire resistance periods in terms of load-bearing capacity, integrity and inslation, for drations of 30 to 240 mintes. It is a reqirement that where these walls/floors are penetrated by dcts or other bilding services, the fire performance criteria for the penetrated wall or floor are maintained, sch that fire in one compartment may not spread to other areas. The periods of integrity and inslation, and leakage where reqired, shold in all cases be at least eqal to those reqired for the penetrated element of constrction. In certain circmstances, controlling athorities may waive the inslation reqirement or allow a redced period of inslation; for example, in some car parks, where enforcers consider that there is not a possibility of combstible materials being in close proximity to the dctwork. The fire risk assessor will need to verify if this approach has been followed. The fire resistance of dcts is evalated by testing to BS 476: Part 24 or BS EN 1366: Parts 1, 5, 8, or 9. From 1 Jly 2013, all dcts have to be CE-marked and classified to BS EN 13501: Part 3 or 4. The test evalates the ability of a representative dct assembly to resist the spread of fire from one compartment to another. The performance of the dct assembly is measred in terms of its ability to withstand exposre to high temperatres, by evalating it against criteria for the fire containment (integrity), the thermal transmittance (inslation) and the leakage rate. Two dcts are tested, one where the fire is otside (Dct A), and one where the fire is inside (Dct B). Both dcts shold be tested in horizontal and vertical orientations to cover all end-ses. Spport and sealing Becase the primary reason for providing fire-resisting dctwork is to maintain the fire resistance of a compartment wall or floor, it is critical that the correct method of sealing any gaps arond the dctwork is sed where it passes throgh particlarly on fire-resisting constrction on escape rotes. This detail is one of the most common reasons for the failre of dctwork systems in fire. Maintenance of separation is sally achieved in one of two ways: For fire-resisting dctwork a penetration seal is fitted between the dct and the wall or floor. The penetration seal and the dctwork are considered as one integral system and mst be the same as that tested or assessed in accordance with the appropriate standard. It is not possible to se a fire-resisting dct with a sealing system that has not been tested or assessed and it is critical that this also takes into accont the type of wall or floor the dcts are to penetrate.

57 For fire-resisting dctwork a fire damper mst be fitted in the plane of the wall or floor. The damper and associated penetration seal mst be installed to a procedre sbstantiated by test. Note that the damper mst be monted in the wall or floor and mst be spported/restrained independently of the dctwork (see Annex H on dampers above) Frther gidance ASFP, Ble Book (BS): Fire-resisting dctwork tested to BS 476 Part 24, 2nd Edition; ASFP, Ble Book (EN): Fire-resisting dctwork classified to EN 13501: Parts 3 & 4, 1st Edition; Bilding and Engineering Services Association (formerly HVCA), Specification for sheet metal dctwork; or BRE, Good Bilding Gide 81: Installing Fire-Resisting Dctwork and Dampers; or 50

58 51 Annex J: Fire protection to strctral steel Section B3, Internal fire spread (strctre), of the Bilding Reglations, states that: The bilding shall be designed and constrcted so that, in the event of fire, its stability will be maintained for a reasonable period. Strctral steel fire protection is reqired to preserve the stability of the bilding in the event of a fire. There are three generic types of fire protection for strctral steelwork: Degraded intmescent paint. Cortesy of Exova Warringtonfire. Failre (slmping) of spray applied non-reactive fire protection. Cortesy of Exova Warringtonfire. a) Intmescent coatings Intmescent coatings (paints) are specially formlated to swell p and form a protective inslating char in the event of a fire. They are sally spray-applied as a thin film and are often available with a range of topcoats in different colors so that the designer can achieve his or her aesthetic needs as well as those of fire protection on visible steel. Unfortnately, this means that intmescents are visibly identical to normal paint and so it is crcially important that records of the installation are maintained. Intmescent coatings are sally sed for steel that reqires p to 90 mintes protection. b) Cementitios prodcts Cementitios prodcts based on gypsm or Portland cement binders are normally applied by low pressre spray techniqes to the profile of the steel section to be protected. These materials contain low density aggregates and rheological aids to help the application characteristics. Fire protection is provided to the steel by these materials in two ways, the first being the cooling effect, since the trapped moistre (physically and chemically bond) evaporates as the temperatre of the srronding fire increases. Secondly, once all the moistre has trned to steam, the prodct then behaves as a thermal inslation material. c) Board and casing systems Board and casing systems se materials sch as ceramic wool, mineral wool, gypsm-based boards, calcim silicate and vermiclite to provide fire protection to steel. These prodcts provide fire protection in the same way as cementitios prodcts and are dry fixed arond the steel sing clip, pin, noggin, adhesive and screw systems.

59 Evalation of fire protection to strctral steel involves fire testing a nmber of loaded and nloaded sections of varying sizes and then sing a nmber of assessment techniqes to predict the amont (thicknesses) of fire protection needed to cover all the different shapes, sizes and section factors (ratio of perimeter area to cross section) encontered in bildings. Traditionally this has been ndertaken by testing to BS 476: Part 21: 1987 and then sing assessment methodologies sed in the ASFP Yellow Book. Increasingly, manfactrers are sing the Eropean standards EN (reactive prodcts) and EN (non-reactive prodcts) which incldes both the test and assessment methods. Gidance on the se of these is also inclded in the ASFP Yellow Book. Typical board encasement system. Celllar Beams Celllar Beams, or beams with holes in them to allow the passage of services are increasingly being sed for architectral (aesthetic and space saving) reasons. Sch beams reqire a more detailed evalation of their fire protection de to their different mode of failre nder load. A new Eropean standard is being developed (EN ) and gidance on this is also inclded in the ASFP Yellow Book. If the fire risk assessor discovers significant damage or omission of fire protection, or has reason to sspect that non-fire resistant materials have been sed, he shold call for a more thorogh and possibly invasive inspection by a third party inspector. Frther gidance Celllar beam coated with intmescent paint. ASFP, Yellow Book: Fire protection for strctral steel in bildings, 4th Edition; ASFP, Technical Gidance Docments: or TGD 11 Code of practice for onsite se of Intmescent coatings for fire protectionof strctral steelwork TGD 15 - Code of practice for sprayed nonreactive coatings for FP steelwork TGD 16 - Code of Practice for off-site applied intmescent coatings Passive Fire Protection Federation, Data sheet; or 52

60 53 Annex K: Sandwich panels Mineral wool cored sandwich panel Inslated core panels are often sed as exterior cladding or for internal strctres and partitions in bildings. They normally consist of a central inslated core, sandwiched between an inner and oter metal skin with no air gap. The external srface is coated with a polymeric coating (sally PVC) to improve weather resistance and/or the aesthetic appeal of the panel. The central core can be made of varios inslating materials, ranging from non-combstible mineral wool throgh to highly combstible polymeric foams. Differing fire hazards are associated with common types of inslation, when the panels are sbjected to certain temperatres. Typical examples are: Mineral wool which is non-combstible and will not contribte at any stage of a fire. Prodction of smoke and toxic gases is minimal. Modified phenolic will prodce srface char and little smoke or gaseos combstion prodcts, at temperatres above 230 C. Polyisocyanrate (PIR)/polyrethane (PUR) will char and will generate smoke and gaseos combstion prodcts, at temperatres above 430 C PIR and 300 C PUR. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) will melt and will generate smoke and gaseos combstion prodcts, at temperatres above 430 C Inslation charring can lead to panel delamination/collapse, and the gaseos combstion prodcts can qickly fill areas with toxic gases sch as carbon monoxide and styrene. A nmber of fires in bildings where combstible cored inslated panels have been sed extensively in the fabric of the bilding have highlighted the particlar dangers that may be associated with this form of constrction, i.e. where the fabric of the bilding can contribte to the fire hazards. In a fire the following may occr: Early bckling and falling away of the facing materials. Brning of the combstible inslating material. Prodction of large qantities of dense, toxic smoke.

61 Rapid heat generation; Early loss of strctral strength can reslt if the system has not been properly designed, and this can lead to the collapse of the wall, partition or ceiling; There may be cavities in older bildings where the panels are sed as an internal envelope, enabling fire to spread nnoticed. Tall bildings in warehosing/ food factories are often constrcted from sandwich panels. Frther gidance International Association of Cold Storage Contractors, Information on the design, constrction, specification and fire management of inslated core panels; LPCB, LPS 1208: Fire resistance reqirments for elements of constrction sed to provide compartmentation LPCB, LPS 1500: Reqirements for the LPCB Approval and listing of companies installing fire resistant compartment wall systems in bildings; Passive Fire Protection Federation, Data sheet; 54

62 55 Annex L: References and reglatory docments Bilding reglation and fire safety legislation in the UK England & Wales The Bilding Reglations 2010 and its sbsidiary legislation reglate new bilding work or material alterations to existing bildings. Gidance on fire safety is given in Approved Docment B. The Reglatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) reglates fire safety of bildings in se. Frther information is available at Reglation 38 (formerly 16b) of the Bilding Reglations 2010 reqires that where bilding work involves the erection or extension of a relevant bilding, or a relevant change of se, then fire safety information shall be given to the responsible person at the completion of the project, or when the bilding or extension is first occpied. Fire safety information means information relating to the design and constrction of the bilding or extension, and the services, fitting and eqipment provided in or in connection with the bilding or extension, which will assist the responsible person to operate and maintain the bilding with reasonable safety. Details are provided in Appendix G Approved Docment B Volme 2 Bildings other than dwelling hoses. London Bilding Acts (Amendment Act) 1939 Section 20 Section 20 is a national Act which is applied to local areas in London. The Act gives power for Local athorities to consider the need for specific reqirements relating to fire safety (exclding means of escape) for large bildings. This is principally aimed at assisting fire-fighting. Section 20 has the power to reqire the following:- 57 Fire extingishing appliances and installations Effective means of removing smoke in case of fire. Adeqate means of access to the exterior of the site of the bilding for fire service personnel and appliances. Reqirements for special fire risk areas (as defined in the Act)

63 An excerpt from the legislation is available from:- or The London District Srveyors Association has pblished a gide. Please any enqiry to: ldsapblications@ntlworld.com The following edcational website provides information regarding the areas covered by Section 20 and history of the legislation: or Scotland In Scotland the Bilding (Scotland) Reglations 2004 (Scottish Stattory Instrment 2004 No. 406), reglate new bildings or alterations. The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 reglates fire safety of bildings in se. Gidance is contained in the Scottish Technical Handbooks which can be downloaded from: Frther information is available at Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland the Bilding Reglations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (Stattory Rle 2000 No. 389, (as amended) reglate new bilding work or material alterations to existing bildings. Gidance on achieving these reqirements is contained in Technical Booklet E. Frther information is available at and or Frther gidance Department of Commnities and Local Government, Risk Assessment Gides for bildings in different types of occpation; or Department for Edcation: Bilding Blletin 100: Designing & managing against the risk of fire in schools; 56

64 57 Department of Health, HTM 05 Series, inclding HTM Managing Healthcare fire safety HTM 05-02A Gidance in spport of fnctional reqirements HTM 05-02B Fire engineering provisions HTM Operational provisions Local Government Grop, Fire safety in prpose-bilt blocks of flats; Constrction Design and Management Reglations (CDM) 2007 The Constrction Design and Management Reglations (CDM) reqire all concerned in the process from design inception to completion of the bilding to prepare a file (the CDM file) containing details of all the work ndertaken and materials sed where safety is concerned. The CDM file can be an invalable sorce of information on all aspects of fire safety work in the constrction of the bilding that may be sed by the occpant when preparing maintenance plans, modifications to the bilding or fire risk assessments. Details are contained in a Code of Practice L144: Managing health and safety in constrction; or Ireland The bilding control system is centred on the parent Act, the Bilding Control Act, 1990, which provides: 59 for the making of Bilding Reglations and deals with isses sch as bilding standards, workmanship, conservation of fel and energy and access for the disabled for making of Bilding Control Reglations - Commencement Notices, Fire Safety Certificates and Fees- Administration by Bilding Control Athorities powers of enforcement and inspection

65 Bilding Control Act 2007 (Ireland) The Bilding Control Act 2007 strengthens the enforcement powers of local bilding control athorities by introdcing revised procedres for the isse of Fire Safety Certificates. Bilding Control Reglations (Ireland) These apply to all new bildings. Their prpose is to promote observance of the Reglations by spplementing the basic powers of inspection and enforcement given to Bilding Control Athorities by different sections of the Bilding Control Act, They do this by reqiring a UK Fire Safety Certificate for most bildings, with the exception of hoses and individal apartments. The constrction of an apartment block is sbject to the reqirement - to ensre safety of persons in the bilding. Bilding Reglations (Ireland) The primary prpose of the Bilding Reglations is to provide for the health, safety and welfare of people in and arond bildings. In general, the Bilding Reglations apply to the constrction of new bildings and to extensions and material alterations to existing bildings and to certain changes of se of existing bildings. They are coched in broad fnctional reqirements similar to the UK Bilding Reglations. More information can be fond at: or Health and safety legislation 58 The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 reqires nder section 19 for employers to carry ot a a risk assessment for all Health and Safety isses inclding emergency egress and for these to be recorded. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Reglations 2007 transpose both the EU Framework Directive (89/391/EC) and the Workplace Directive (89/654/EC). These directives reslted in the UK Reglatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and mch of the gidance written on this is relevant in Ireland. The Health and Safety Exective has also pblished HSG 168, Fire Safety in Constrction; or

66 59 Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003 (Ireland) This reqires the responsible person to carry ot a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan. In Irish health and safety legislation there are many persons with potential responsibility for fire safety inclding; Employers, e.g. section 8 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005; Part 2, Chapter 1 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Reglations 2007; Employees, e.g. section13 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005; Designers, manfactrers, importers and sppliers, e.g. section 13 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005; Persons in control of all or part of a place of work, e.g. section 15 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005; Constrction work, e.g. section 17 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005; Contractors e.g. Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Constrction) Reglations 2006; The term Responsible person (Employer/ landlord) may not reflect the broad range of dty holders. Fll regard shold be taken of the provisions for a competent person, e.g. nder section 2, section 8(2)(l); section 17; and section 18; of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act The need to appoint a competent person nder Irish health and safety legislation may need to be highlighted. 61

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