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Association for Specialist Fire Protection

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The se que stio ns and answe rs are de signe d to pro vide guidance and it is sugge ste d that the

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lo o ks thro ugh the se in the first instance be fo re calling the ASFP, as it is like ly that the y will addre ss
his/he r particular situatio n o r pro ble m.
The fo llo wing que stio ns o fte n pro vide links to o the r we bsite s and do cume nts. In so me case s
re gistratio n is re quire d be fo re info rmatio n o r do cume nts can be acce sse d.
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ASFP Ge ne ral
Built In Fire Pro te ctio n
Re liable Info rmatio n
Re gulatio ns
Pro duct and Installe r Ce rtificatio n
Structural Ste e l Fire Pro te ctio n
Ste e l and Re active Co atings
Ste e l and Fire Pro te ctio n Bo ards o r Sprays
Re actio n to Fire
Ro o fs
Co ncre te Flo o rs
Re gulato ry Re fo rm (Fire Safe ty) O rde r
Cast and Wro ught Iro n
Fire Re sisting Ducts
Fire Sto pping Applicatio ns
Fire Dampe rs

A1. What is the ASFP?

Fo rme d in 19 75, the ASFP is the trade asso ciatio n that re pre se nts the inte re sts o f the UK's
manufacture rs and installe rs o f fire pro te ctio ns syste ms fo r ste e l, co ncre te , ductwo rk, dampe rs,
pe ne tratio n se als and fire sto pping. The se syste ms are so me time re fe rre d to as passive fire
pro te ctio n pro ducts. Fo r a list o f ASFP me mbe rs click he re

A2. What does the ASFP do?

The ASFP wo rks with Go ve rnme nt and standard se tting bo die s bo th dire ctly and via o the r se cto r
gro up asso ciatio ns to incre ase the quality o f the installe d fire pro te ctio n o f the UK's buildings and
industrial plants including o nsho re as we ll as o ffsho re facilitie s.

A3. Who does the ASFP work with?

The Passive Fire Pro te ctio n Fe de ratio n (go to www.pfpf.o rg) which is the se cto r gro up fo r the
e ntire passive fire pro te ctio n industry, and include s apart fo rm the ASFP the trade asso ciatio ns
that are invo lve d with fire do o rs, fire shutte rs, fire re sistant glazing and partitio ns. Re gulato rs,
e nfo rce rs, insure rs, te st ho use s, ce rtificatio n bo die s and o the r pro fe ssio nal institute s are also
me mbe rs o f the PFPF.
The Euro pe an Asso ciatio n fo r Passive Fire Pro te ctio n www.e apfp.co m which pro vide s the ASFP
with a ro ute into the Euro pe an standard making sce ne .
The Natio nal Spe cialist Co ntracto rs Co uncil (go to www.nscc.o rg.uk) which re pre se nts the
inte re sts at Go ve rnme nt le ve l o f spe cialist co ntracto rs.
The Co nstructio n Industry Training Bo ard (go to www.citb.co .uk). The ASFP participate s with the

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CITB in the de sign o f training co urse s, Natio nal Vo catio nal Q ualificatio ns and Appre ntice ships

B1. What is fire res is tance?

The fire re sistance o f a co mpo ne nt, such as a ste e l co lumn, is its ability to re sist the affe cts o f fire
fo r a pe rio d o f time and this is usually me asure d by submitting the co mpo ne nt to a fire te st as
de fine d in a natio nally o r inte rnatio nally re co gnise d standard.

B 2 . What is pas s ive fire protection?

Mo st co nstructio n mate rials have so me natural re sistance to fire and as such co mprise built-in
fire pro te ctio n. This natural fire re sistance may be e nhance d by the use o f adde d mate rials o r
syste ms that are kno wn by the co lle ctive te rm o f passive fire pro te ctio n. Fo r e xample the fire
re sistance o f ste e l may be e nhance d by the use o f intume sce nt co atings, and co ncre te by
spraye d ce me ntitio us co atings. While ho le s in partitio ns aro und pe ne trating se rvice s may be
se ale d by pro prie tary mo rtars o r batts.

B3. Where will I find information concerning pas s ive fire protection products other than
thos e manufactured and ins talled by ASFP members ?
At the we bsite o f the Passive Fire Pro te ctio n Fe de ratio n (go to www.pfpf.o rg) yo u will find links to
the trade asso ciatio ns that are invo lve d with fire do o rs, fire shutte rs, fire re sistant glazing and
partitio ns.

B4 . Why does s teel need fire protection?

Unde r lo ad ste e l will start to buckle and mo ve whe n te mpe rature s re ach 550 C and in a ste e l
frame d building this will co mpro mise its stability and co mpartme ntatio n.

B5. Where can I find lis tings of independently validated products for the fire protection of
s tructural s teel?
The 'Ye llo w Bo o k' (also kno wn as 'Fire Pro te ctio n fo r Structural Ste e l in Buildings') co ntains such
listings and is available as a fre e do wnlo ad fro m this we bsite , click he re

B6. Why do s ervice penetrations /openings through fire rated walls need
s ealing/s topping?
Be cause ho t gase s, fire and smo ke will pass thro ugh thus spre ading the fire and co nse que ntly
the thre at to life .

B7. What G uidance is available for the routine maintenance of fire protection s ys tems ?
The ASFP stro ngly advise s building o wne rs/use rs to e nsure the ro utine mainte nance o f fire
safe ty me asure s in buildings, arising fro m spe cific dutie s as de fine d in the Re gulato ry Re fo rm
(Fire Safe ty) O rde r 2005 summarise d in Po we rPo int slide s available e lse whe re o n this we b site .
The re is no ge ne ric guidance available as mainte nance will de pe nd o n the pro duct se cto r, the
wo rking e nviro nme nt and se rvice co nditio ns; co nsult the fire pro te ctio n manufacture r fo r advice
fo r the mainte nance o f spe cific pro ducts.
In the case o f structural ste e lwo rk, if re furbishme nt o r upgrading o f the fire pro te ctio n is re quire d,
the ASFP publicatio n TGD 10 may be he lpful. Click he re

C1. Where can I find lis tings of independently certified products that are s uitable for
s ealing/s topping penetrations /openings ?
The 'Re d Bo o k' (also kno wn as 'Fire Sto pping and Pe ne tratio n Se als fo r the Co nstructio n Industry')
co ntains such listings and is available as a fre e do wnlo ad fro m this we bsite , click he re

C2. I have a fire protection problem for which there appears to be no tes ted pas s ive fire
protection s ys tem, what can I do?

The Passive Fire Pro te ctio n Fe de ratio n has a do cume nt e ntitle d 'Guide to unde rtaking
asse ssme nts in lie u o f fire te sts' and this give s guidance fo r the situatio n yo u de scribe , fo r a fre e
do wnlo ad click he re

C3. Is there a publication which will take me through the proces s es involved with the
s pecification, ins tallation and maintenance of pas s ive fire protection s ys tems ?
Ye s the ASFP has a do cume nt, which was partly funde d by the De partme nt o f Trade and Industry,
e ntitle d 'Ensuring Be st Practice fo r Passive Fire Pro te ctio n in Buildings' and this can be
do wnlo ade d by go ing to the publicatio n page .

D 1 . Who s ets the level of pas s ive fire protection in a building?

Ge ne rally the Building Re gulatio ns fo r ne w build. The Fire Autho rity has to be co nsulte d if
re furbishme nt pro je cts are to be unde rtake n.

D2. What is Approved Document B (ADB) to T he Building Regulations for England and
Wales ?
ADB is a Fire Safe ty do cume nt that pro vide s practical guidance o n me e ting the re quire me nts o f
the Building Re gulatio ns. The re may also be alte rnative ways o f achie ving co mpliance with the
re quire me nts o f the Building Re gulatio ns. Fo r a co py o f Appro ve d Do cume nt B click he re

D3. But I live in Scotland, what documents are available from the Scottis h Executive?
Te chnical Standards fo r fire pe rfo rmance o f buildings are available fro m the Sco ttish Building
Standards Age ncy at www.sbsa.go v.uk
De tails o n Sco ttish fire safe ty le gislatio n is available fro mwww.info sco tland.co m/fire law

D4 . But what about Northern Ireland?

Go to http://www.no rthe rnire land-le gislatio n.hmso .go v.uk/sr/sr2000/20000389 .htm fo r Part E
Fire Safe ty o f the Building Re gulatio ns (No rthe rn Ire land) 2000 to se e ho w co mpliance may be
achie ve d.

D5. I unders tand that in the UK Building Regulations with regard to fire are aimed mainly at
s aving life. If I want to go further and ins tall extra pas s ive fire protection to enhance the
pres ervation of the building in a fire s ituation where can I find information?
The Fire Pro te ctio n Asso ciatio n and the Asso ciatio n o f British Insure s publish a do cume nt calle d '
The LPC De sign Guide fo r the Fire Pro te ctio n o f Buildings' and this will give yo u guidance with
re gard to incre asing the le ve l o f passive fire pro te ctio n in yo ur building. Fo r a fre e do wnlo ad click
he re

E1. T hird Party Certification Schemes

Why s hould I us e a third party certificated contractor to ins tall pas s ive fire protection
s ys tems ?
Appro ve d Do cume nt B (Fire Safe ty) to the England and Wale s Building Re gulatio ns state s "Since
the fire pe rfo rmance o f a pro duct, co mpo ne nt o r structure is de pe nde nt upo n satisfacto ry site
installatio n and mainte nance , inde pe nde nt sche me s o f ce rtificatio n and re gistratio n o f installe rs
and mainte nance firms o f such will pro vide co nfide nce in the appro priate standard o f
wo rkmanship be ing pro vide d.

E2. Where can I find information concerning third party certificated s chemes for ins tallers
of pas s ive fire protection s ys tems ?
The fo llo wing co mpanie s are kno wn to pro vide such sche me s:-

LPCB - go to www.re dbo o klive .co m/inde x.jsp

FM Appro vals go to www.fmappro vals.co m
IFC Ce rtificatio n Ltd - go to www.ifcce rtificatio n.co m
Inte rte k Te sting & Ce rtificatio n Limite d - go to www.inte rte k.co m
Unde rwrite rs Labo rato rie s UK Ltd - go to www.ul.co m
Warringto n Ce rtificatio n Ltd - go to www.warringto nfire .ne t

F1. Structural Steel Fire Protection

How do pas s ive fire protection products protect s tructural s teel?
Fo r a ge ne ral o ve rvie w ple ase go to http://asfp.asso ciatio nho use .o rg.uk/de fault.php?cmd=8

F2. Can you have Hollow Section Beams acting compos itely with a s lab?
Yo u can use ho llo w se ctio ns in co mpo site co nstructio n pro vide d the manufacture r has
unde rtake n a lo ade d ho llo w be am te st fo r the appro priate fire re sistance pe rio d and has had an
asse ssme nt suppo rte d by a te mpe rature analysis fo r the appro priate limiting te mpe rature o r a
lo we r te mpe rature .

Whe re the co ncre te slab is fo rme d with pro file d me tal flo o r de cking, e ithe r the vo ids are fille d, o r
the to p flange is pro te cte d.

As the to p flange must be pro te cte d o r the vo ids fille d no e xtra pro te ctio n is re quire d and the
pe rce ntage s in Table 18 o f 4th e ditio n o f the Ye llo w Bo o k are no t applicable .

Is it practical to add weld s tuds to the top of Hollow Section Beams ?

Studs can be applie d using we lding but installatio n o f we lde d studs afte r an intume sce nt co ating
is no t re co mme nde d as the he at cause d by the we lding pro ce ss may cause the co ating to re act.
Whe re an intume sce nt co ating is alre ady in place , o n any surface o f the se ctio n, the n the use o f
sho t fire d studs are re co mme nde d.

We lde d studs can be adde d to the to p o f unpainte d ho llo w se ctio n be ams pro vide d that the re is
a minimum thickne ss o f ste e l to which the stud is we lde d, typically 40% o f the stud diame te r e .g.
19 mm stud implie s 8mm (7.6mm) ste e l thickne ss.

G 1. I have s pecific ques tions with regard to the us e of intumes cent coatings for s tructural
s teel fire protection can you help?
Can intumes cent paints be us ed for the fire protection of beams at the heads of
compartment walls or fire res is ting walls ?
A ge ne ric answe r can be pro vide d. Ye s, intume sce nt co atings can usually pro vide the ne ce ssary
structural fire pro te ctio n to the ste e l be am/se ctio n.

N.B.Whe re any fire se parating wall fo rms a junctio n with the ste e l structure , the re may also be a
ne e d to satisfy the fire inte grity and insulatio n crite ria o f the e ntire fire wall divisio n, so additio nal
pro te ctio n may be re quire d to the ste e l se ctio n to me e t the se additio nal crite ria, and/o r to
addre ss any fire sto pping re quire me nt be twe e n the junctio n o f the pro te cte d ste e lwo rk and the
wall itse lf.

Whe re the ste e l be am is at right angle s to the fire re sisting wall, additio nal fire sto pping is like ly to
be re quire d to clo se the path to passage o f fire in any space cre ate d in the we b o f the ste e l

be re quire d to clo se the path to passage o f fire in any space cre ate d in the we b o f the ste e l
be am, and abo ve o r be lo w the be am.
Fo r any furthe r guidance o n fire inte grity and insulatio n crite ria co nsult Building Co ntro l.

G 2. Can intumes cent paints be us ed to protect beams and columns where external cladding
s ys tems are intended to be abutted to the s teel s urfaces ?
In ge ne ral, a minimum gap o f 50 x dry film thickne ss o f the re active co ating is re co mme nde d to
allo w ade quate e xpansio n in a fire , This guidance applie s to the gap be twe e n the cladding and
the flat surface s o f the pro te cte d ste e l se ctio n, as we ll as the flange tips unle ss spe cific fire te sts
pro ve o the rwise .

Gap size s may be re duce d whe re manufacture rs have spe cific fire te st e vide nce .

Co ntinuo us line ar fixings [timbe r o r me tal] sho uld be co nside re d as part o f the main be am, and
duly pro te cte d fro m fire ., unle ss o the r suppo rting fire te st e vide nce can be pro vide d.

G 3. Brackets and angles are often added to perimeter s teel beams to allow cladding
s ys tems to be fixed to the s tructural framework. What is the recommended treatment of
thes e angles and brackets s o that the fire res is tance of the beam is not inadvertently
reduced?
Co ntinuo us line ar fixings sho uld be co nside re d as part o f the main be am, and duly pro te cte d
fro m fire .
The mass, spacing and o rie ntatio n o f fixings can all play a part in the to tal po te ntial he at transfe r
into the ste e l structure . The e ffe ct fro m the he ating o f bracke ts fixe d at inte rvals to diffe re nt
masse s o f ste e l structure is ve ry difficult to quantify. It is no t po ssible to give ge ne ralise d
guidance o n the e ffe ct o f space d fixings to ste e lwo rk pro te cte d by re active co ating pro ducts.
The intume sce nt co ating manufacture r sho uld be co ntacte d fo r spe cific advice . Fire pro te ctio n
may we ll be advise d.
The manufacture r o f the intume sce nt co ating sho uld be co ntacte d fo r advice o n the e xte nt o f any
fire pro te ctio n o nto the cladding be yo nd its junctio n with the fixing bracke t.

G 4 . What clearance is required between the s teel s ections coated with intumes cent paints
and any s ervices penetrating through apertures in the web of protected s teel s ections ?
No ge ne ric answe r can be pro vide d.
Co nsult individual intume sce nt paint manufacture rs fo r advice .

G 5. In the cas e of deep web beams , the deepes t web that is fire tes ted is 610mm and the
s teel s ection is not loaded when tes ted. Does this mean that the tes ted intumes cent paint
can be us ed to protect any s teel with a deeper web depth, with or without additional
retention of the coating by mes h s ys tems ? Do any limitations apply?
Guidance is give n in Draft prEN 13381-8 Re active Co atings as fo llo ws:Pro vide d that o ne o f the be ams te ste d has a we b de pth o f at le ast 600mm the re will be no
limitatio n o n the maximum we b de pth that can be pro te cte d, o the rwise the asse ssme nt will be
limite d to the maximum we b de pth te ste d plus 50%. The intume sce nt co ating manufacture r
sho uld be aske d to co mme nt o n any limitatio ns o r re info rce me nt.

G 6. Mos t new s teel frames need to be fire protected before the external envelope is
added to the building s tucture, whils t adequate s pace exis ts . T he protected s teelwork
may therefore become expos ed to the weather elements for a time. Is this a problem for
intumes cent coatings ?
Intume sce nt co atings are available fo r all type s o f se rvice e nviro nme nts whe n use d in
co njunctio n with the co rre ct to pco at syste m.
Ho we ve r, the re is no ge ne ric guidance available . Co nsult individual manufacture rs fo r advice

The re are many ways o f de mo nstrating durability o f intume sce nt pro ducts. The o bvio us and
mo st impo rtant is track re co rd o f re al pro je cts o ve r many ye ars. In additio n so me pro ducts have

mo st impo rtant is track re co rd o f re al pro je cts o ve r many ye ars. In additio n so me pro ducts have
be e n te ste d to BS 8202 Part 2.
Unde rwrite rs Labo rato ry have a range o f e nviro nme ntal te sting re quire me nts fo r bo th inte rnal
and e xte rnal use s.
Mo st re ce ntly the Euro pe an Te chnical Appro val Guidance fo r intume sce nts (ETAG 18 Part 2) also
has spe cific durability te sting de pe nding o n se rvice co nditio ns.

G 7. Does the pas s age of time effect the ability of intumes cent coatings to develop char
when s ubs equently expos ed to fire?
As in Q 6 the re are many standard aging te st re quire me nts in the natio nal and Euro pe an
re quire me nts pre vio usly me ntio ne d.
The re is no ge ne ric guidance available . Co nsult individual manufacture rs fo r advice .

G 8. What is the effect when s teel s ections protected by intumes cent paint s ys tems are
overpainted by a hous e proud client or building management team?
So me manufacture rs have a range o f fire te st data whe re multiple to pco ats have be e n applie d
prio r to fire te sting. It may be po ssible to o ve rpaint ce rtain intume sce nt co ating syste ms.
Co nsult individual manufacture rs fo r advice .

G 9 . Can intumes cent coatings be us ed to protect cellular beams

Ye s, in the case o f ce llular be ams with circular ho le s Re fe r to the fire te st pro to co l as de taile d in
Se ctio n 6.2 o f the ASFP publicatio n Fire pro te ctio n fo r structural ste e l in buildings 4th Editio n
2007. This publicatio n can be do wno ade d fro m the publicatio n page fre e o f charge .

In the case o f ce llular be ams with o the r shape d ape rture s, re fe r to the manufacture r who must
pro vide spe cific third party ve rificatio n o f the pe rfo rmance

Info rmatio n is also pro vide d in Te chnical Guidance Do cume nt 09 : Co de o f Practice fo r the fire
pro te ctio n o f ste e l be ams with we b o pe nings. This do cume nt can be do wnlo ade d fre e o f
charge fro m the publicatio ns se ctio n o f this we bsite

G 10. Is fire protection required for s teel bolt heads connecting s teel s ections ?
Ye s bo lt he ads sho uld have the same re sistance to fire e xpo sure as the ste e l se ctio n, unle ss the
fire pro te ctio n manufacture r can de mo nstrate o the rwise thro ugh third party ve rificatio n o f the
pe rfo rmance .
G 11. Can I s pray another coat of intumes cent paint over a s ys tem which already has a top
coat?
Ge ne rally this is no t advisable unle ss the co ating manufacture r has re le vant fire te st data. The
applicato r MUST first co nsult the manufacture r o f the co ating syste m. It is like ly that the
manufacture r will advise full re mo val o f the to p co at be fo re re -applicatio n.

G 12.Can fire tes t data obtained from circular hollow s teel (CHS) s ections be us ed for the
fire protection of s olid s teel bars or rods ?

Fire pro te cte d so lid ste e l bars may be have diffe re ntly fro m fire pro te cte d ho llo w ste e l se ctio ns
in fire . The use o f a spe cific pro te ctio n syste m and its thickne ss sho uld be base d o n a pro ve n
capability suitable to the applicatio n.
In June 2011, the ASFP Te chnical Co mmitte e publishe d Adviso ry No te No .4 Te st and
Asse ssme nt Pro ce dure s fo r Circular So lid Ro ds Pro te cte d with Intume sce nt Co atings which
de tails a fire te st pro to co l fo r asse ssing the fire pro te ctio n fo r so lid ste e l bars and ro ds. This is
available he re
H1.When intumes cent coatings are applied over other types of pas s ive fire protection,
s uch as boards or non-reactive s prays , or a different intumes cent coating, are the
individual contributions to fire res is tance additive?

individual contributions to fire res is tance additive?

De finite ly no t. We do no t advise mixing fire pro te ctio n syste ms o f any type unle ss the re is spe cific
te st e vide nce available fro m the manufacture rs co nce rne d. Co mbinatio ns o f individual fire
re sistance pe rio ds are no t additive in any circumstance s, unle ss suppo rte d by re le vant te st
info rmatio n.

H2. I have s pecific ques tions with regard to the us e of s prayed cementitious coatings or
boards for s tructural s teel fire protection can you help?
How do we protect deep web beams ?
Fire pro te ctio n bo ard syste ms may be applie d in a bo xe d o r pro file d co nfiguratio n.

[1] Fo r pro file d bo ard applicatio ns,

Fle xible bo ards such as tho se made fro m mine ral wo o l may re quire co ve r strips at all jo ints.
The use o f rigid bo ards in this situatio n is ge ne rally no t practical.

[2] Fo r bo xe d bo ard applicatio ns,

The use o f so lid o r T-shape d no ggings will usually be re quire d o n all be ams with we b de pths
o f 533mm o r gre ate r. Co ntact the manufacture r fo r spe cific re quire me nts.
Fle xible bo ards may re quire mo re inte rnal suppo rt and co ve r strips at jo ints than rigid bo ards.
Co ntact the manufacture r fo r spe cific re quire me nts.
Rigid bo ards are mo re se lf suppo rting but may re quire pro te ctio n to the we b jo int o r se co ndary
suppo rt. Co nsult the manufacture r fo r spe cific re quire me nts.
Fire pro te ctio n ce me ntitio us spray applicatio ns will re quire the use o f re te ntio n me sh whe re the
we b de pth be twe e n the flange s e xce e ds 650mm. Co nsult the manufacture r fo r fixing de tails.
No te : me sh re te ntio n is also re quire d whe re flange width e xce e ds 325mm.

H3. How do we protect beams with multiple web openings ?

The se ctio n facto r o f the ste e l be am is e stablishe d using the e quatio n 1400/t whe re t is the
thickne ss (mm) o f the lo we r part o f the ste e l we b-po st. The thickne ss o f the fire pro te ctio n
syste m to be applie d is the n calculate d base d o n the limiting te mpe rature o f the be am and a
furthe r 20% is adde d to the thickne ss.
Unle ss spe cific pro duct data e xists, pro te ct all e dge s, de pe nde nt o n the fire pro te ctio n pe rio d
re quire d.
Furthe r guidance is pro vide d in Se ctio n 6.1 ASFP publicatio n Fire pro te ctio n fo r structural ste e l in
buildings. 4th Editio n
Info rmatio n is also pro vide d in Te chnical Guidance Do cume nt 09 : Co de o f Practice fo r the fire
pro te ctio n o f ste e l be ams with we b o pe nings. This do cume nt can be do wnlo ade d fre e o f
charge fro m the publicatio ns se ctio n o f this we bsite

H4 . How do we deal with columns and beams within and pas s ing through compartment
walls ?
Whe re a be am is passing through a co mpartme nt wall it sho uld be fire pro te cte d to the
appro priate le ve l up to the wall and a fire se al sho uld be utilise d to pre ve nt passage o f fire
thro ugh the co mpartme nt whe re the be am me e ts the wall. This fire se al sho uld pro vide the
ne ce ssary le ve l o f fire re sistance , including fire inte grity and insulatio n, and sho uld be capable o f
de aling with any e xpe cte d diffe re ntial mo ve me nt.

Whe re a be am o r co lumn forms part of a fire co mpartme nt wall the re are two se parate issue s,
[a] fire pro te ctio n o f the ste e l
[b] fire se paratio n crite ria fo r the wall.

The crite ria fo r [b]may be the do minant fe ature , such that additio nal pro te ctio n
thickne ss/me asure s will the n be re quire d fo r the ste e l wo rk in the re gio n o f the wall, in o rde r to
de al with the fire inte grity and insulatio n re quire me nt fro m Appro ve d Do cume nt B Appe ndix A.
Spe cifically, unde r no rmal circumstance s, a maximum 140C rise in the ave rage te mpe rature o f
the surface s o n the no n- fire side o f the co mpartme nt wall will be pe rmitte d. This is to be
co ntraste d with ke e ping ste e l te mpe rature s be lo w 550C o r so to maintain the structural lo ad-

co ntraste d with ke e ping ste e l te mpe rature s be lo w 550C o r so to maintain the structural lo adbe aring capability o f the ste e l.

In the case o f no n lo ad-be aring walls co nside ratio n sho uld be give n to the de fle ctio n o f the
be am during fire and the e ffe ct that this may have o n the inte grity o f the co mpartme nt wall.

Guidance o n the fire pro te ctio n o f partially e xpo se d ste e l me mbe rs can be fo und in Se ctio n
1.63.ASFP publicatio n Fire pro te ctio n fo r structural ste e l in buildings. 4th Editio n

H5. How do we addres s the is s ue of brackets and angles fixed to columns and beams ?
Whe re bracke ts, angle s and o the r se co ndary fixings are to be attache d to a ste e l be am, o r
co lumn, the passage o f he at into the structural ste e l via the se fixings must be ke pt to a minimum.
In o rde r to achie ve this fire pro te ctio n o f the fixing may be re quire d. Co nsult the fire pro te ctio n
syste m manufacture r fo r spe cific de tails.

Whe re fixings are installe d prio r to the fire pro te ctio n:

1) Bo ards can be cut to fit aro und the m.
2) In the case o f ce me ntitio us sprays, the fixings sho uld be maske d and the n the spray may be
applie d in the no rmal way and the masking re mo ve d afte rwards to re ve al the fixings.

If fixings are installe d afte r the fire pro te ctio n syste m the n are as o f fire pro te ctio n, o f a minimum
size , can be cut away to allo w the fixings to be attache d. A patch re pair may be re quire d in so me
circumstance s to re instate the re quire d le ve l o f fire re sistance .
Co ntact the fire pro te ctio n syste m manufacture r fo r spe cific re quire me nts and pro ce dure s.

H6. How do we deal with deflection at interfaces of s teelwork with non load-bearing walls ?
The limits o f de fle ctio n are de scribe d in the guidance pro vide d in Appro ve d Do cume nt B
se ctio n 8.2.7, in suppo rt o f the UK Building Re gulatio ns
This guidance will limit the ste e l de fle ctio n and allo w the partitio n supplie r to pro vide an
inte rface de tail.

H7. What primer s ys tems are compatible with s pray applied fire protection?
Gypsum base d pro ducts are ge ne rally le ss che mically aggre ssive than tho se base d o n ce me nt.
Whe re ce me nt base d pro ducts are applie d to prime d ste e l, an e po xy type prime r will ge ne rally
be co mpatible whe re as an alkyd base d prime r will no t be co mpatible .
Ce me ntitio us sprays are o fte n applie d to bare ste e l.
It is e sse ntial that installe rs and the de signe r co nsult with the ce me ntitio us spray manufacture r to
co nfirm the co mpatibility o f any ste e l priming syste m.

H8. How do we protect s teel beams s upporting timber jois ts or concrete s labs ?
Whe re timbe r jo ists are lo cate d into the we b o f a be am the ste e l be am will usually ne e d
pro te ctio n fro m fire in o rde r to co mply with the re quire me nts o f Appro ve d Do cume nt B Appe ndix
A. The timbe r jo ists which pe ne trate thro ugh the fire pro te cting laye r must be fire sto ppe d with a
te ste d me tho d o r appro priate ly fire te ste d pe ne tratio n se al. Co nsult manufacture r fo r spe cific
guidance .

In additio n, the timbe r flo o r will ne e d to be fire re sisting to the appro priate le ve l and fire
pro te ctio n to the timbe r flo o r and timbe r joists may be re quire d. The me tho ds use d to fix any fire
pro te ctio n syste m to the timbe r shall be as te ste d in a re le vant fire te st.

The fire pro te ctio n o f co ncre te slabs will de pe nd o n [a] the co nstructio n, de nsity, the thickne ss,
the thickne ss o f co ncre te o ve r re info rce me nt ste e l, the fire re sistance re quire me nts fo r the
co ncre te flo o r slab, and [b] the the rmal re quire me nts arising fro m the lo catio n o f the slab in the
building.
Co nsult the manufacture r fo r spe cific guidance .

H9 . Does s teelwork (columns , beams , etc) in boundary wall condition require full
protection?
The fire re sistance re quire me nts o f the wall may change acco rding to the re quire me nts o f
Building Re gulatio ns Appro ve d Do cume nt B 2006, and particularly whe re the building wall is le ss
than 1 me tre fro m the bo undary o f the pro pe rty.

The re quire me nts fo r the fire re sistance crite ria o f the bo undary wall must be asce rtaine d in
o rde r to asse ss any additio nal re quire me nts fo r the structural ste e l asso ciate d with the bo undary
wall.

Co nsult the manufacture r fo r spe cific guidance

I1. What is the difference between Clas s 1 and Clas s O Spread of Flame clas s ifications ?
Se e TGN 5 Guide to Class 0 and Class 1
To acce ss the se click he re

J1. How do I us e pas s ive fire protection products for roof components and s econdary
s teelwork of portal framed buildings ?
Se e TGN 4 Fire pro te ctio n o f ro o f co mpo ne nts and se co ndary ste e lwo rk o f po rtal frame d
buildings
To acce ss the se click he re

K1. Can I upgrade the fire protection of a concrete floor us ing pas s ive fire protection
products ?
Ye s se e TGN 1 Spray Co atings fo r fire pro te ctio n o f co ncre te flo o rs
To acce ss the se click he re

L1. What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order?

Click he re fo r mo re info rmatio n

M1. Cas t and wrought iron

Can fire tes t data obtained from mild s teel be us ed to determine fire protection
thicknes s es for cas t and wrought iron?

ASFP are o f the o pinio n that data o btaine d fro m mild ste e l fire te sts can be use d to pro vide
pro te ctio n thickne sse s fo r cast iro n and wro ught iro n using the same limiting te mpe rature s,
subje ct to the co nditio ns re fe re nce d in the fo llo wing re po rts [a] and/o r [b]

[a] BCIRA Re po rt Cast iro n in building structure s re vive d inte re st in a pro ve n case by E.R.Evans
date d No ve mbe r 19 84.
Furthe r info rmatio n can be o btaine d fro m:Castings Te chno lo gy Inte rnatio nal, Advance d Manufacturing Park, Brune l Way, Ro the rham S60
5WG. T: +44 (0)114 254 1144, E: info @castingste chno lo gy.co m

[b] Histo ric buildings and fire pe rfo rmance o f cast iro n structural e le me nts by J R Barnfie ld & A M
Po rte r
NO TE that the Structural Engine e r must e stablish the Se ctio n Facto rs and be satisfie d with the
inte grity o f the iro n wo rk be fo re spe cifing fire pro te ctio n.

N1. Fire Res is ting Ducts

What action is needed where fire res is ting ducts pas s through overs ized openings in fire
res is ting elements of cons truction?
ANSWER. Any o ve rsize d gap shall be re duce d in size such that the additio nal fire pe ne tratio n
se al aro und the duct can functio n as fire te ste d within a maximum re sidual o pe ning.

Re spo nsibility fo r the satisfacto ry pe rfo rmance o f e ach e le me nt o f building co nstructio n (e .g.
walls, flo o rs, cavity barrie rs, e tc.) lie s with the installe r o f e ach particular e le me nt. The change
o ve r o f re spo nsibility o ccurs at the inte rface be twe e n the fire re sisting ductwo rk and the
e le me nts. It is impe rative that the inte rface de tail do e s no t co mpro mise the fire pe rfo rmance o f
e ithe r the e le me nt o f building co nstructio n o r the fire rate d duct. The building de signe r,
me chanical se rvice s de signe r and the installe r all have a re spo nsibility to pay due care to this
de tail.

Furthe r de tails are pro vide d in ASFP Blue Bo o k publicatio n Fire re sisting ductwo rk 2nd Editio n,
Se ctio n 7, click he re
N2. Can I s us pend a fire-res is ting ductwork s ys tem from any s tructure that is not fire
res is ting for an appropriate period?
ANSWER In ge ne ral the answe r is no , e spe cially in the case o f ductwo rk use d fo r smo ke
e xtractio n.
Any such mo unting is like ly to co mpro mise ano the r e sse ntial functio n o f the ductwo rk syste m,
whe re it passe s thro ugh a fire re sisting e le me nt o f co nstructio ns, unle ss o the r pro ve n me asure s
have be e n inco rpo rate d to mitigate such an e ffe ct.

N3. Is it permis s ible to allow other s ervices to be s upported from the s ame duct s upport
s ys tem?
ANSWER - This may be po ssible to acco mmo date at the time o f installatio n, pro viding that a risk
asse ssme nt de te rmine s that stre sse s o n the hange r canno t go be yo nd that o f the te ste d pro duct.
Fo r e xample , this co uld include the po te ntial e ffe ct o f e xtra lo ad arising fro m co llapse fro m the
se co ndary se rvice .

Co nsultatio n sho uld always be made with the syste m manufacture r/supplie r. Se e ASFP Blue
Bo o k publicatio n Fire re sisting ductwo rk 2nd Editio n se ctio ns 6.1.2 no te 2 and 6.2.1.3.

N4 . What actions s hould be taken when improper fire res is ting duct mounting is evident?
ANSWER O rdinarily, co ntact the installatio n co ntracto r and co nfirm that the re has be e n re le vant
fire te sting and co mpe te nt asse ssme nt o n the syste m. If the re is no satisfactio n the n co ntact the
main co ntracto r/e mplo ye r/CDM Co o rdinato r to raise any co nce rns. Ultimate ly co ntact the lo cal
e nfo rcing autho rity.

Appro ve d Do cume nt B Appe ndix G summarise s the le gal dutie s o n co ntracto rs arising unde r
Re gulatio n 16B to e nsure that use rs o f building [re spo nsible pe rso ns] can make a re le vant risk
asse ssme nt as re quire d unde r the Re gulato ry Re fo rm (Fire Safe ty) O rde r 2005. O bse rve rs have
a Duty o f Care .

N5. Does fire res is ting ductwork require any fire ins ulation criteria in all circums tances ?
ANSWER Whe n the spe cificatio n is fo r a pre scribe d pe rio d o f fire re sistance the n all fire
re sistance crite ria shall apply, in te rms o f the lo ad-be aring capacity (stability), inte grity and
insulatio n crite ria. Re mo val o f the insulatio n crite ria shall o nly apply in e xce ptio nal circumstance s

insulatio n crite ria. Re mo val o f the insulatio n crite ria shall o nly apply in e xce ptio nal circumstance s

It is a re quire me nt that whe re the se co mpartme nt walls/flo o rs are pe ne trate d by ducts o r o the r
building se rvice s, the fire pe rfo rmance crite ria fo r the pe ne trate d wall o r flo o r are maintaine d,
such that fire in o ne co mpartme nt may no t spre ad to o the r are as.

In spe cific installatio ns, Building Co ntro l autho ritie s may waive the insulatio n re quire me nt o r allo w
a re duce d pe rio d o f insulatio n, Example s include so me car parks, whe re e nfo rce rs have
co nside re d that the re was no t a po ssibility o f co mbustible mate rials be ing in clo se pro ximity o f
the ductwo rk.

N6. What s upports and fixings to building s tructure s hould be us ed for fire res is ting
ducts ?
ANSWER - The suppo rts use d must be as fire te ste d in the ductwo rk syste m. Be cause o f the way
duct suppo rts are fixe d o r ancho re d in fire te sts, alte rnative fixings are pe rmitte d pro vide d that
suitable te st e vide nce is available to justify the use o n the inte nde d duct syste m.

Furthe r info rmatio n is available in ASFP Blue Bo o k publicatio n Fire re sisting ductwo rk 2nd
Editio n at se ctio n 6.2.1.3 and 7.2

N7. What is meant by field of application of tes t res ults for fire res is ting ductwork?
ANSWER The answe r co me s in two parts. DIAP and EXAP rule s are an o utput fro m Euro pe an
harmo nizatio n o f fire te sting me tho ds and classificatio ns. At a natio nal le ve l, e xpe rie nce d
pe rso ns o r fire te st o rganisatio ns have pre vio usly pro vide d asse ssme nts o f e xpe cte d
pe rfo rmance base d o n e xpe rt judge me nt.

[a] The dire ct fie ld o f applicatio n (DIAP)

DIAP rule s are pro vide d in BS EN 1366 te st standards. The y are de rive d fro m info rmatio n
o btaine d fro m te sts carrie d o ut in acco rdance with re le vant EN 1366 te sts at re co gnise d
labo rato rie s in Euro pe . The te st re sults achie ve d by a particular de sign may be dire ctly applie d
to a limite d numbe r o f variatio ns (e .g. a re ductio n in duct size ) witho ut re co urse to e xpe rt advice ,
pro viding the de sign re mains substantially as te ste d.

The sco pe o f the curre nt BS 476 te st me tho d do e s no t co nside r the e ffe ct, de trime ntal o r no t,
that variatio ns in the te st co nstructio n may have o n the achie ve d pe rfo rmance o f the duct. The
te st re sult o nly applie s to the te ste d de sign and size ; the fie ld o f dire ct applicatio n is ve ry limite d.
The ASFP Blue Bo o k publicatio n Fire Re sisting ductwo rk 2nd Editio n co ntains info rmatio n in
Se ctio n 6.

[b] The e xte nde d fie ld o f applicatio n (EXAP) rule s are de rive d fro m te st e vide nce to re le vant BS
EN 1366 te st standards and is pro vide d in the re le vant se ctio n o f BS EN 15080. EXAPs shall be
base d o n primary te st e vide nce to BS EN 1366 and may be supple me nte d by appro priate te st
e vide nce ge ne rate d fro m o the r so urce s, o r o the r re le vant histo rical data.

The EXAP rule s co nside r change s in the te ste d de sign be yo nd the sco pe o f dire ct applicatio n
and may also co nside r variatio ns to the te ste d de sign. Fo r e xample , an incre ase in duct size
which ne ce ssitate s the inclusio n o f a jo int in the duct walls.

At a natio nal le ve l, fo r the purpo se o f asse ssme nts fo r the e xte nde d fie ld o f applicatio n,
labo rato rie s accre dite d by UKAS fo r co nducting the re le vant te sts might be e xpe cte d to have the
ne ce ssary e xpe rtise o r co mpe te nt autho rity/pe rso ns appro priate to the co mple xity o f the
e valuatio n unde rtake n.

N8. What cons iderations are needed for acces s panels in fire res is ting ductwork s ys tems ?
ANSWER - Acce ss pane ls are fre que ntly fitte d to fire re sisting ductwo rk fo r purpo se s such as

cle aning o r acce ss to dampe rs. The pane ls are fitte d in the walls o f the duct but must no t
inte rrupt the duct structure , e .g cro ss jo ints, stiffe ne rs and suppo rts. Ide ally the acce ss pane l will
have be e n te ste d as part o f the fire re sisting ductwo rk syste m. The te st must have de mo nstrate d
that the de sign o f acce ss pane l is able to maintain the re quire d fire pe rfo rmance re quire me nts o f
the ductwo rk syste m witho ut we ake ning the structure o f the duct. The maximum size o f pane l is
that te ste d.

Pro prie tary acce ss pane l syste ms are available . To be acce ptable fo r use as part o f a ductwo rk
syste m the y must have be e n sho wn by te st to be capable o f maintaining the re quire d fire
pe rfo rmance re quire me nts o f the ductwo rk syste m whe n mo unte d in a similar type o f duct. The
acce ss pane l asse mbly include s the pane l, the mo unting frame , the fixings ho lding the pane l in
the frame , the fixings faste ning the mo unting frame to the duct and any se als.

N9 . What effect will aris e from variations of duct geometry and orientation on tes t res ults ?
ANSWER
[a] A te st re sult fo r fire re sisting ho rizo ntal ducts is applicable to ho rizo ntal ducts o nly.
[b] A te st re sult o btaine d fo r fire re sisting ve rtical ducts is applicable to ve rtical ducts witho ut a
ho rizo ntal branch.
[c] Ho we ve r, fo r fire o utside ducts, if a te st is succe ssfully made o n a ho rizo ntal duct with a branch,
fo r a state d pe rio d o f fire re sistance , the n ve rtical ducts may include a ho rizo ntal branch fo r that
same pe rio d o f fire re sistance .
[d] Fo r a re ctangular duct, the maximum aspe ct ratio be twe e n the lo nge r and sho rte r side s is 4:1
N10. Can tes t res ults for rectangular ductwork be us ed for circular or flat oval ducts ;
circular or flat oval s piral wound ducts ; and flexible ducting s ys tems ?
ANSWER The answe rs are diffe re nt fo r tho se ducts te ste d to BS 476 Part 24 o r te ste d to BS EN
1366 te st me tho ds.

In the case o f BS 476 Part 24 te st data, circular and flat o val straight se ame d and spirally wo und
ste e l ducts may be asse sse d o n the basis o f the te sts o n re ctangular ducts. De tails o f the
co nstructio n o f circular and flat o val, straight se ame d and spirally wo und ste e l ducts must be
pro vide d by the duct manufacture r. Furthe r de tails are pro vide d in ASFP Blue Bo o k publicatio n
Fire re sisting ductwo rk 2nd Editio n Se ctio n 6.2.1.10

In the case o f BS EN 1366 te st data, no e quivale nce is pe rmitte d and all ductwo rk syste ms must
be individually te ste d. The publishe d Euro pe an DIAP and EXAP rule s apply.

As the vast majo rity o f fire te sts o n ducts are co nducte d with rigid ducts it is no t appro priate to
e xtrapo late this data fo r fle xible ducts. The re fo re , unle ss the fle xible duct syste m has be e n fire
te ste d, the guidance canno t be assume d to apply.

N11. Ductwork pas s ing through protected es cape routes

(O the r than a dwe lling ho use o r within a flat)
Fire dampers only
Q. Do e s ductwo rk passing thro ugh a pro te cte d ro ute ne e d additio nal fire rating if it has be e n
fitte d with fire dampe rs whe n e nte ring and le aving the co rrido r o r stair e nclo sure ?
Ye s. Fire dampe rs are no t de signe d to pro te ct against smo ke which is a co nce rn fo r pro te cte d
e scape ro ute s. A clo se d fire dampe r will still le ak a co nside rable quantity o f smo ke . Fire
dampe rs will no t pre ve nt he at co nductio n and radiatio n fro m disto rting ductwo rk in the e scape
ro ute and causing jo ints to o pe n up and co ntaminate the e scape ro ute .
The re fo re the ductwo rk itse lf wo uld ne e d to be fire re sisting (te ste d to BS 476: Part 24 o r EN13661 with fire e xpo sure fro m the inside ) and no t se rve the pro te cte d ro ute . Alte rnative ly, it ne e ds to
be e nclo se d within fire re sisting co nstructio n e .g. a suspe nde d ce iling te ste d fro m abo ve which
must be smo ke tight.

Ho we ve r, an alte rnative wo uld be to use dampe rs and no t pro te ct the duct - this is po ssible but
the dampe rs wo uld ne e d to be ES classifie d le akage rate d fire dampe rs. Such dampe rs sho uld
achie ve an ES classificatio n to BS EN 13501-3 whe n te ste d to BS EN 1366-2. The se dampe rs are
co nside re d to have go o d smo ke re sisting pro pe rtie s in additio n to fire re sistance . Dampe rs
te ste d to BS 476 canno t pro vide an ES classificatio n.
Fo r situatio ns whe re ductwo rk se rve s a dwe lling ho use o r inte rnal parts o f a flat se e FAQ 5 be lo w
So urce : Appro ve d Do cume nt B 2006 Vo l. 2; paragraph 5.48.

N12. Metal ductwork

Q. If I install 16 gauge ste e l ductwo rk (co nstructe d to DW142/144) whe re passing thro ugh a
pro te cte d ro ute ; is this acce ptable as a fire re sisting duct?
No . Ductwo rk passing thro ugh a pro te cte d co rrido r sho uld be fire re sisting whe n te ste d to BS
476: Part 24 o r EN1366-1 (with fire e xpo sure fro m the inside ) and no t se rve the pro te cte d ro ute fo r
the re quire d fire time . We have no t se e n any re sult which indicate s that an o rdinary ste e l duct
wo uld survive such a te st.
DW 144 is a spe cificatio n fo r ve ntilatio n ductwo rk, no t fo r fire re sisting ductwo rk. O nly ducts te ste d
to BS 476: part 24 o r EN 1366-1 can pro vide fire re sistance .
An alte rnative to using a fire re sisting duct wo uld be to use ES classifie d le akage rate d fire
dampe rs. Such dampe rs sho uld achie ve an ES classificatio n to BS EN 13501-3 whe n te ste d to BS
EN 1366-2.
So urce : Appro ve d Do cume nt B 2006; Vo l. 2; paragraph 5.48.
N13. Ductwork protected by Mineral wool
Q. Wo uld wrapping me tal ductwo rk with mine ral wo o l be acce ptable to pro te ct ductwo rk
passing thro ugh a pro te cte d ro ute as a me ans to fire pro te ct the ductwo rk?
We are no t aware o f any publicly available te st e vide nce to co nfirm a ge ne ric so lutio n. Ho we ve r,
the re are pro prie tary manufacture rs syste ms that have be e n te ste d using this appro ach. Any
such syste m wo uld ne e d to spe cify the ductwo rk co nstructio n, fixture s and fittings, me tho d o f
suppo rt e tc as we ll as the de tails o f the spe cific mine ral wo o l. It wo uld also ne e d to be
suppo rte d by appro priate te st e vide nce .
N14 . Ductwork having a clas s 0 performance
Q. Wo uld a duct having a class 0 (o r Euro pe an Class B-s3, d2 o r be tte r) fire rating be acce ptable
in a pro te cte d ro ute as a me ans to fire pro te ct the ductwo rk?
A. No . class 0 (o r Euro pe an Class B-s3, d2 o r be tte r) do e s no t re fe r to fire re sistance o f the duct
but to ho w the surface o f the duct, o r any mate rial applie d to it, re acts to fire i.e . if the surface

but to ho w the surface o f the duct, o r any mate rial applie d to it, re acts to fire i.e . if the surface
mate rial if ignite d, spre ad flame o ve r its surface o r has a high he at re le ase .
N15. Ductwork pas s ing through protected s tairway or internal hallway in a dwelling hous e
flat or mais onette (for common areas in flats /mais onettes the guidance above applies ).
Q. In a re side ntial flats de ve lo pme nt, if I install 16 gauge ste e l ductwo rk (co nstructe d to
DW142/144) in a co rrido r which has be e n de fine d as a pro te cte d co rrido r is this acce ptable as a
fire re sisting duct?

A. Inne r Halls
In the case o f dwe lling ho use s o r the inne r hall to flats, Appro ve d Do cume nt B 2006 Vo l 1 and 2
do e s no t re quire the ductwo rk to satisfy the BS 476-24 o r EN1366-1fire re sistance te st. The re is a
de e me d to satisfy re quire me nt fo r the ductwo rk to be rigid ste e l co nstructio n and all jo ints
be twe e n the ductwo rk and the e nclo sure sho uld be fire sto ppe d.
The re fo re me tal ductwo rk is o nly acce ptable witho ut any furthe r pro te ctio n if installe d in the
pro te cte d ro ute s o f dwe lling ho use s o r inne r halls o f flats.
A. Co mmo n are as
Ductwo rk in the co mmo n are as wo uld ne e d to satisfy the BS 476 Part 24 o r EN1366-1 fire
re sistance te st o r be e nclo se d within fire re sisting co nstructio n fo r the re quire d pe rio d o f fire
re sistance .
So urce : Appro ve d Do cume nt B 2006 Vo l 1; paragraph 2.17.

O1. What data/documentation s hould I as k for to demons trate that product X is s uitable for
us e?
Manufacture rs marke ting info rmatio n may no t always include info rmatio n fo r a particular fie ld o f
applicatio n. The suitability o f use is be st justifie d by the manufacture r, by:The pro ductio n o f a valid fire te st o r asse ssme nt re po rt against the re quire me nts o f BS 476: Part
20, o r a Euro pe an fire classificatio n re po rt to EN 13501-2 (whe n te ste d to EN 1366 Parts 3 o r 4 as
appro priate ) as issue d by a UKAS accre dite d fire te st labo rato ry o r in the case o f an asse ssme nt
by a co mpe te nt pe rso n o r bo dy, which sho uld ade quate ly de mo nstrate the suitability o f a fire
sto pping pro duct fo r use within a spe cific applicatio n o r a range o f applicatio ns.

Se e ASFP Re d Bo o k: Fire sto pping - 3rd Editio n se ctio n 11.3 fo r an e xpande d e xplanatio n.

O2. Should I provide fire s topping around combus tible pipes which are les s than 4 0 mm in
diameter?
Ye s, Appro ve d Do cume nt B state s: If a fire -se parating e le me nt is to be e ffe ctive , e ve ry jo int o r
impe rfe ctio n o f fit, o r o pe ning to allo w se rvice s to pass thro ugh the e le me nt, sho uld be
ade quate ly pro te cte d by se aling o r fire -sto pping so that the fire re sistance o f the e le me nt is no t
impaire d.
Also se e 10.4.4 in ASFP RED Bo o k 3rd Editio n"

which is acce ssible he re http://www.asfp.o rg.uk/we bdo cs/faq.php#O

Q: How do I deal with fire-s topping combus tible pipes of 4 0 mm internal
diameter or s maller
A1. This is de alt with in Se ctio n 7 o f the guidance to the building re gulatio ns in
England & Wale s, Appro ve d Do cume nt B, vo l. 1 fo r dwe llingho use s, and se ctio n 10 o f
vo l. 2, fo r buildings o the r than dwe llingho use s. Similar guidance is give n in the
re gulatio ns fo r Sco tland and fo r No rthe rn Ire land.

re gulatio ns fo r Sco tland and fo r No rthe rn Ire land.

A2. The guidance re quire s that co mbustible pipe s o f 40 mm inte rnal diame te r o r
smalle r, which pass thro ugh fire -se parating e le me nts (unle ss the pipe is in a
pro te cte d shaft), sho uld me e t the appro priate pro visio ns in alte rnative s A, B o r C
be lo w:
Alternative A:
Pro vide a pro prie tary se aling syste m which has be e n sho wn by te st to maintain the
fire re sistance o f the wall, flo o r o r cavity barrie r.
Alternative B:
Whe re a pro prie tary se aling syste m is no t use d, fire -sto pping may be use d aro und
the pipe , ke e ping the o pe ning as small as po ssible .
Alternative C: (only applicable to uPVC)
The pipe may be use d with a sle e ving o f no n-co mbustible pipe passing thro ugh the
se parating e le me nt and no t le ss than 1000 mm lo ng o n bo th face s (diagram no t
re pro duce d he re ).
A3. It is re co mme nde d that Alte rnative A be se le cte d as the mo st ro bust so lutio n, as
many pro prie tary syste ms e xist with appro priate te st e vide nce and/o r ce rtificatio n.
Alte rnative B do e s no t re quire the use o f a pro prie tary syste m, but also do e s no t
clarify which type o f fire -sto pping sho uld be use d with re spe ct to the varie d se rvice
situatio ns and se parating e le me nts that will be e nco unte re d. It will the re fo re be
difficult to co nfide ntly se le ct an appro priate no n-pro prie tary pro duct o r mate rial,
capable o f re instating the pe rfo rmance o f the se parating e le me nt.
Also se e 10.4.4 in ASFP RED Bo o k 3rd Editio n.

O3. Under what circums tances can fire s topping include pattres s ed s olutions ?
Any syste m inte nde d to be use d as a pattre ss co ve r to the vo id be hind must be pro ve n by fire
te st o r asse ssme nt fo r the inte nde d fie ld o f applicatio n and fo r the re quire d fire re sistance
pe rio d. Ad ho c patching will no t me e t all the fire re sistance crite ria re quire d.

O4 . A plas tic s ervice penetrates a tightly cored drilled floor s lab and immediately turns
through 9 0 degree into the horizontal plane. However, there is no or limited s pace for the
application of wraps , collars or s leeves ? What s hould be done?
Unde r the se circumstance s it will be impractical to achie ve an ade quate fire sto p with any o f the
co mmo n pipe clo sure so lutio ns, but this do e s no t re mo ve the re quire me nt to pro vide such a fire
sto p. It will the re fo re be ne ce ssary to e ithe r:[a] re po sitio n/e xte nd the pipe such that a pipe co llar can be fitte d to the so ffit o f the flo o r o r
[b] use a smalle r diame te r pipe so that a co llar/wrap/sle e ve can be fitte d within the flo o r, o r
[c] re -drill the ho le in the flo o r, so that a co llar/wrap/sle e ve can be fitte d within the flo o r, o r
[d] the pipe co uld be bo xe d in by fire re sisting co nstructio n, o r
[e ] mo re inno vative pipe clo sure de vice s, spe cifically de signe d and te ste d to co pe with this
situatio n, wo uld be re quire d.

O5. We are making refurbis hment of an exis ting building. T he exis ting s ervices are both
ins talled and live and the required fire res is tance of a wall is increas ed. How s hould I
proceed and deal with inacces s ible areas ?
The law re quire s that a re le vant fire risk asse ssme nt is made and maintaine d to ide ntify all
po te ntial hazards and asso ciate d risks thro ugho ut the life and use o f the building, and that all
actio ns take n are re co rde d. The fire re sistance and o r o the r pro visio ns sho uld be e nhance d in
acco rdance with re gulato ry re quire me nts to re duce risks to an acce ptable le ve l. The me tho ds
use d can o nly be de te rmine d in re latio n to the particular pro ble m.

O6. I want to s eal the point where a duct or pipe pas s es through a fire res is ting wall, and
need 60 minutes fire res is tance. How much product do I need?
We re fe r yo u to ASFP Re d Bo o k and 3rd party ce rtificate d data she e ts fo r the appro priate
applicatio n. The re quire d pe rfo rmance and guidance o n quantity shall be co nfirme d with the
manufacture r, and installe r, o f the se le cte d pro duct.

07. Can I mix and match components from different manufacturers , or different s ys tems
made by the s ame manufacturer, when ins talling fire s topping?
The simple answe r is no . While it may be te mpting to use e .g. manufacture r As mine ral fibre batt
with manufacture r Bs adhe sive , the co mbinatio n is unlike ly to have be e n te ste d and the re fo re
may no t pe rfo rm in fire as inte nde d.
I have been told to us e components from different manufacturers in a particular
ins tallation. Is there any way I can get further advice as to their compatibility?
In the abse nce o f te st e vide nce , the de fault answe r is again no . While it may be po ssible to ge t an
asse ssme nt fro m a fire co nsultant o r te st/ce rtificatio n bo dy to co ve r such an applicatio n, such an
installatio n may no t be co ve re d by any o f the manufacture rs warrantie s o r afte r sale s se rvice .

The ASFP stro ngly re co mme nds the use o f third party ce rtificate d pro ducts. Such pro ducts will
have a sco pe o f applicatio n which will co ve r the ir use with o the r co mpatible co mpo ne nts which
may include pro ducts fro m o the r manufacture rs.

O8. How do I deal with fire-s topping combus tible s oil pipes as they pas s through floors ?
DRAFT 7
1. This is de alt with in te chnical guidance to building re gulatio ns as fo llo ws:
England & Wale s, Appro ve d Do cume nt B, Se ctio n 7 o f vo l. 1 fo r dwe llingho use s, and se ctio n 10 o f
vo l. 2, fo r buildings o the r than dwe llingho use s.
Sco tland Te chnical Handbo o k, Fire Do me stic 2010, clause , 2.2.9 O pe nings and se rvice
pe ne tratio ns, and Sco tland Te chnical Handbo o k, Fire No n Do me stic 2010, clause , 2.1.14
O pe nings and se rvice pe ne tratio ns
No rthe rn Ire land Te chnical Bo o kle t E 2005, clause s 3.42 and 3.44 to 3.46.
2. The guidance re quire s that pipe s passing thro ugh a fire -se parating e le me nt sho uld e ithe r be
pro vide d with a pro prie tary se aling syste m (such as an intume sce nt pipe co llar o r wrap), o r be
sle e ve d with a no n-co mbustible pipe fo r at le ast 1m e ach side o f the se parating structure .
3. The guidance do e s give a third o ptio n but o nly fo r uPVC stack and branch pipe s passing
thro ugh co mpartme nt walls o r flo o rs in flats o r whe n a branch pipe pe ne trate s a wall se parating
dwe llingho use s. In this case the stack and branch pipe s must be no gre ate r than 160mm and
110mm no minal inte rnal diame te r re spe ctive ly, and fo rm an abo ve -gro und drainage o r wate r
supply syste m o nly.
4. In the third o ptio n re fe rre d to abo ve , the guidance state s that the pipe s must be lo cate d within
an e nclo sure which has a fire re sistance o f 30 minute s (inte grity o nly) whe n e xpo se d to fire fro m
o utside the e nclo sure . The re are re strictio ns give n o n the type s o f mate rials that can be use d to
fo rm the e nclo sure and the lo catio n o f acce ss pane ls. Gaps aro und the pipe s sho uld be as small
as po ssible and still ne e d to be fire -sto ppe d whe re the pipe s pass thro ugh the flo o r and the pipe
e nclo sure .
5. It must be bo rne in mind that the guidance to the building re gulatio ns has be e n writte n
assuming that installatio ns, including the pipe e nclo sure s and fire -sto pping, have be e n fitte d with
go o d wo rkmanship, are no t damage d during the life o f the building, and that e ve ry aspe ct o f the
guidance has be e n fo llo we d. The ASFP co nside r that all the se co nditio ns are unlike ly to be me t
in practice . The re fo re we stro ngly re co mme nd that suitable pipe clo sing de vice s, e .g. te ste d
intume sce nt pipe co llars and/o r wraps, are use d at the pe ne tratio n thro ugh the flo o r to pre ve nt
fire pe ne trating the flo o r. Similarly, the ASFP stro ngly re co mme nd that fire te ste d pipe clo sing
de vice s are also fitte d aro und uPVC branch pipe s that pe ne trate walls se parating
dwe llingho use s.

dwe llingho use s.

6. Whe re pipe co llars o r wraps are use d, care sho uld be take n that any re maining gaps are fire sto ppe d with a suitably te ste d syste m that is co mpatible with the particular pipe co llar o r wrap
that is be ing use d.

P1. Fire Dampers to protect es cape routes

Fire dampe r fre que ntly aske d que stio ns fo r ASFP. Click he re

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