Fire protection is extremely important in any commercial setting, as a fire can quickly spread and cause extensive damage. There are a variety of fire protection measures that can be employed in a commercial setting, including the installation of sprinklers, fire alarms, and extinguishers.
But, perhaps an often overlooked element in preventing flames from ravaging commercial buildings is the installation of passive fire protection (PFP) measures. These are features of the building itself that help to prevent the spread of fire and can include things like fire doors, partitions, and flooring. By combining fire-stopping utilities like sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers with passive fire protection, you can give your commercial premises complete fire protection and enhanced fire resistance.
When it comes to commercial fire protection and general fire safety, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By taking measures to prevent fires from starting in the first place, and by having systems in place to contain them should they break out, businesses can minimise the risk of damage and disruption.
Commercial buildings are at a higher risk of fire because of the many people and objects present. In addition, many commercial buildings are equipped with large amounts of electrical equipment, which can be a major fire hazard. That's why it's so important for businesses to have comprehensive fire protection plans in place.
Passive fire protection is a set of fire safety measures designed to stop the spread of fire through a building. It includes things like fire doors, fire-rated partitions, and flooring. According to the National Fire Protection Association, passive fire protection is "an integral component in the fire defence of a building or structure that is not dependent on active human intervention to perform its intended function." In other words, passive fire protection refers to all the features of a building that work together to prevent or slow the spread of fire, without the need for someone to intervene.
By using these fire-stopping elements, it's possible to create compartments within a building that can help to stop the spread of fire.
Passive fire protection is an extremely effective way to reduce the spread of fire and protect people and property. In fact, statistics show that buildings with adequate PFP are 60% less likely to experience significant damage in a fire than those without it.
When it comes to PFP and fire resistance in general, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, it's important to make sure that all of the critical fire-stopping elements meet the required standards. Second, it's important to regularly inspect and test all of the components of passive fire protection to ensure that they're working properly. And finally, it's important to have a base level of understanding of how passive fire protection works so that you can put it to use effectively in the event of a fire.
It goes without saying that you can never have too many fire prevention and flame retarding measures in place at your business. Here at Sapphire Refurbishments, we know that having the full range of fire-rated products (fire-rated walls, fire-rated doors and a fire-rated suspended ceiling) protecting your business is the best way to stop things turning catastrophic when a fire breaks out on site.
As well as carrying out a purpose-built PFP installation in new buildings, our expert team can also refurbish existing buildings with our broad range of products and services; meaning that all commercial customers can benefit from our enhanced fire protection solutions.
A fire encasement system is a type of passive fire protection that works by completely encasing a structural element in fire-resistant materials. This encasement creates a barrier that prevents fire from spreading through the building.
Fire encasement systems are typically used on things like steel beams and columns, as well as concrete floor slabs. By encasing these elements in fire-resistant materials (such as intumescent coatings), it's possible to significantly slow down the spread of fire. In some cases, the fire will be contained entirely within the compartment created by the encasement system.
Fire-rated partition walls can also be used to create barriers between a fire and the rest of the building. Our fire-rated partitions are made of materials like drywall or plasterboard, and are installed so that they extend from the floor to the ceiling.
When properly installed, fire-rated partitions can help to compartmentalise a building and prevent the spread of fire. Partition wall installation can also be used to create safer exit routes in the event of a fire.
A fire-rated suspended ceiling is another type of PFP that can be used to create compartments within a building. These ceilings are made of materials like metal or gypsum, and they're designed to stop the spread of fire by creating a barrier between the floor and the ceiling.
A suspended ceiling can be installed in:
Fire doors are one of the most important elements of passive fire protection. They are designed to create a barrier between a fire and the rest of the building and can help to prevent the spread of smoke and flames. When kept closed, these doors minimise the spread of fire to a large degree, compartmentalising the flames to one area and vastly reducing the damage inflicted.
It's important to have a regular PFP schedule in place to ensure that all of the PFP measures are working as they should be and that your business fulfils the compliance requirements set out by fire regulations that are in place to protect your staff, customers and visitors.
This maintenance should include:Regular inspections and tests will help to identify any issues with the PFP components, and repairs or replacements can be carried out as necessary. A good PFP maintenance schedule will also help to extend the life of the PFP measures, ensuring that they continue to protect your premises for years to come.
Sapphire Refurbishments offers a comprehensive range of PFP products and services, from installation and refurbishment to maintenance and repair. We're here to help you keep your premises safe from fire, so please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
Sapphire Refurbishments has over 30 years of experience helping commercial managers meet safety and fire protection requirements. Our team bring their expertise, passion and meticulous planning to provide your commercial property space with solutions that will protect it from fire.
Our products carry fire ratings ranging from thirty minutes up to two hours of fire resistance, meaning that there is a solution to meet any requirement. Additionally, Sapphire Refurbishments will provide you with a risk and method statement for every project we complete so you will receive peace of mind that the work we have completed is safe and meets regulations.
To find out more about any of our services or receive a free quote, get in touch today. Our team will be more than happy to help assist you.
Sapphire Refurbishments is passionate about providing quality services and satisfying our clients in every project. We pay special attention to detail, which is expected from any company that has many years of expertise under its belt.
Sapphire Refurbishments is based in the UK and specialises in providing bespoke joinery of various objects. With over 30 years of experience, we can...
Do you have limited space to work with in your office? We specialise in partitioning services. You can select from our wide range of...
Sapphire Refurbishments is here to help you make your clients impressed with our quality office decorations services. We provide luxurious finishes...
One feature that most offices in urban areas are adapting is suspended ceilings. They are secondary ceilings that help to reduce noise, improve...
Please complete our contact form, our team will aim to respond within 24 hours.
