Passive Fire Protection Nottingham

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is passive fire protection?

  Passive fire protection is the fire resisting construction built into a building, including compartment walls and floors, fire doors, fire stopping and cavity barriers. It works constantly in the background to contain fire and smoke, protect escape routes and give people more time to get out safely.

• Is fire protection a legal requirement for my building?

  Yes, the fire resisting construction required by the Building Regulations must be installed correctly and kept in good condition. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, there is a legal duty to maintain it in workplaces and in the shared areas of blocks of flats.

• Who is responsible for fire safety measures in a building?

  Responsibility sits with the "responsible person", which is usually the employer, owner, landlord or managing agent who controls the premises. Contractors who cut through walls or floors to run new services are also responsible for sealing those openings correctly afterwards.

• How often should fire protection be checked?

  For most buildings there is no single fixed interval, but your fire protection should be reviewed as part of your regular fire risk assessment. It should also be checked after any building work, refit or new installation that may have disturbed walls, floors or ceilings.

• What does a fire resistance rating mean?

  A fire resistance rating shows how long a product or element of construction can hold back a fire, usually 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes. A fire door marked FD30, for example, is designed to resist fire for 30 minutes when it has been correctly installed.

• How much do fire protection works cost?

  The cost depends on the size of the building, the condition of the existing protection and the products needed, so no single price fits every job. We offer a free site visit and a clear quotation, so you know exactly what is involved before any work begins.

• What happens if fire protection in a building is not up to standard?

  Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service can issue an enforcement notice requiring improvements or, in serious cases, a prohibition notice restricting use of the premises. Failing to maintain fire safety measures can also lead to prosecution and an unlimited fine.

• Can fire protection work be carried out whilst a building is occupied?

  In most cases, yes, as we plan the work in stages so your staff, tenants or residents can keep using the building safely. Every site is risk assessed beforehand, and that assessment shapes how we keep work areas separate from occupied spaces.

• How long does fire protection work usually take?

  A handful of fire door repairs can often be completed in a day, whilst remedial works across a large building may take several weeks. After your site visit, we provide a realistic timescale based on the size of the job and how easy the affected areas are to reach.

• What is a cavity barrier?

  A cavity barrier is a fire resistant material fitted inside hidden voids, such as wall cavities, roof spaces and the gaps above suspended ceilings. It closes off these concealed spaces so fire and smoke cannot travel through them unseen and spread to other parts of the building.

• How does intumescent fire protection work?

  Intumescent products such as coatings, seals and pipe collars swell when exposed to high temperatures, forming a dense insulating layer. That layer seals the gap it sits in or shields structural steelwork from the heat, giving the building more time to stay standing.