Understanding Passive Fire Protection

Transcription

1 ASFP Response to Hackitt Report/Scottish Regulatory Review What is Passive Fire Protection and why is it important? Niall Rowan Chief Executive Officer Association for Specialist Fire Protection

2 Contents Who is the ASFP? Grenfell tower fire Hackitt review of Building Regulations ASFP response Scottish Consultation Passive Fire Protection.

3 Who is the ASFP? Associates 27 Contractors 66 Distributors 6 Manufacturers 54 Individuals 8 International 10 Total 171 and rising

4 Who is the ASFP? Originally formed in 1975 in recognition of a need to bring together Passive Fire Protection: Manufacturers Installation contractors Testing/certification bodies To encourage, develop and give guidance on essential standards in PFP.

5 Fire stopping RED BOOK 4th Edition The Association for Specialist fire protection ASFP Resources 1. Colour Books referred to in ADs 2. Guide to Passive Fire Protection for Fire Risk Assessors 3. Best Practice Guide 4. On-site Guide to fire-stopping 5. Video library

6 ASFP website an information source All ASFP guidance document from:

7 Common Conceptions. Wood Burns Structural steel does not collapse in fire Concrete is fireproof Holes are a general maintenance issue Our Building Regulations are fit for purpose Or are they misconceptions..

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9 ASFP Pii Report Public safety is being impinged by incorrect PFP measures and we feel that a disaster caused by accelerated or unexpected fire spread could follow if no action is taken to improve initial standards and to define the responsibility of building occupiers. Report dated 4 April 2003

10 From Public Inquiry Unsuitable cladding ACM Category 3 Calorific value ~ 4 petrol tankers Euroclass B polyisocyanurate insulation How was the decision to use that combination made? Is a lack of clarity in AD-B an issue?

11 From Public Inquiry Wholly unsuitable firestopping around windows Large gaps (~150mm) around windows sealed with rubberised membrane, rigid foam insulation and upvc Cavity barriers in envelope incorrectly specified/fitted.

12 Other items Many door closers were missing, or disconnected (graphic) Many fire doors had been replaced with ordinary doors Several fire door tests have revealed failure of doors Refuse rooms correctly protected with PFP and 30 min doors with closers largely unaffected.

13 Hackitt Review - Final report May 2018 Consider fire early in design Full Plans end of Design & Build? Joint Competent Authority (FRS, HSE & LABC) Sign off for Gateway steps Fire Safety Manager Restrictions on assessments Third Party Certification Recommendations on increasing competence.

14 ASFP Response to Hackitt Review - 1 Welcome the report Brave & mature approach Systemic approach Avoids quick-fixes Extend scope beyond just HRRBs Hackitt has intimated support for this ASFP supports: Full Plans end of Design & Build? Joint Competent Authority Sign off for Gateway steps but this will lead to demand for inspection and certification BCAR Consider fire early in design - RIBA Plan of Works.

15 ASFP Response to Hackitt Review - 2 Consider fire early in design - RIBA Plan of Works for fire

16 ASFP Response to Hackitt Review - 2

17 ASFP Response to Hackitt Review - 3 Welcome the role of Fire Safety Manager Welcome restrictions on assessments But not outright ban - tighten up procedures ASFP view on banning combustible materials: Membership widely differing views In principle not needed if testing regime is robust Recognise political demand for a ban Welcome support for Third Party Certification ASFP supporting for over 20 years Recommendations on increasing competence Outline training activities later.

18 Scottish Consultation 2 main areas 1. Roles of those verifying inspecting and certifying building work 2. Requirements of external envelope and cavities, MoE, sprinklers, FSE hub Proposed changes Improve compliance - especially HRRBs Address other issues in HRRBs & other buildings

19 Scottish Consultation points that stand out - 1 There is inadequate emphasis on confirming that the construction complies with the approved design so undermining the fundamental purpose of the regulations of ensuring safe buildings Verifiers must put a greater emphasis on their inspection and testing role during construction and at completion, with a strong focus on safety critical aspects such as structure and fire safety.

20 Scottish Consultation points that stand out - 2 Building owners or developers must: Take responsibility for compliance throughout the whole project and assure it by using competent people and obtaining documented evidence. Place a greater emphasis on their own inspection/ testing regimes during construction/completion. Provide the verifier with appropriate levels of documented evidence of compliance throughout These should be produced by appropriately qualified and experienced professionals with suitable insurance cover.

21 Scottish Consultation Questions 1 Do you agree: Roles and responsibilities of verifiers must be clearly defined &recorded? Verifiers must place a greater emphasis on inspection and testing throughout construction & completion? Verifiers must place a strong focus on safety critical elements such as structure (e.g. wall ties) and fire safety e.g. fire-stopping?

22 Scottish Consultation Questions 2 Do you agree: that the reference to British Standards Fire Tests should be removed from the Technical Handbook? That only A1 and A2 (non/limited combustible) materials should be used on external walls or insulation That BS 8414/BR135) may still be used as an alternative method of providing evidence to show compliance?

23 Scottish Consultation Questions 3 Do you agree: That evacuation sounders should be required in each flat in buildings more than 18m high? Do you agree that two stairways should be required for buildings as above? Do you agree that new HMOs with 10 or more occupants should have go have automatic fire suppression systems?

24 Looking to the future

25 Issues that still cause poor installation No bar to entry for PFP installers

26 Industry Response Group Work on Competence ASFP is a member of all three organisations

27 Industry Response Group Steering Group on Competence To implement Chapter 5 recommendations on competence To submit a final report to MHCLG in April 2019: 1. Set up a body to oversee delivery of competent people in the construction industry (all practitioners/levels) 2. Develop a skills framework for those involved in Building inspection/control 3. Develop a robust and comprehensive system for the competence of Building Safety Managers

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29 PFP Works

30 PFP Works

31 Fire Protection Measures Understanding Your Responsibilities Understanding PFP Passive worksfire Protection PFP works 8 Fire glazing in Hollland

32 Fire Protection Measures Understanding Your Responsibilities Understanding PFP Passive worksfire Protection PFP works 7 Fire doors in Dorset

33 Passive Fire Protection What is it? Built-in measures that protect the structure of the building and subdivide it into areas to limit the spread of fire and smoke.

34 Structural Fire Protection To maintain the stability of the structure during the period of the fire and ensure that it does not collapse

35 Structural steel loses about half its strength at about 500 O C.

36 Non-reactive coatings Spray or troweled on Thick, Inert Boards and casings Mechanically fixed Thick (10-50mm) Reactive coatings Spray or brushed Thin (1-4mm)

37 Compartmentation The purpose of compartmentation is to: Subdivide buildings into areas of manageable risk

38 Subdivide buildings into areas of manageable risk Provide adequate means of escape Provide fire separation between adjacent/adjoining buildings Provide access and protection for fire-fighters Compartmentation The purpose of compartmentation is to:

39 PFP what is it?

40 End