Fire prevention is a critical consideration for those who are responsible for creating the design, specification and construction of new buildings, with consideration in the ongoing maintenance of occupied premises. As the causes of fire vary and are often unpredictable, construction measures are being designed to influence the formation and spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases, by minimising the available factors needed to create a fire or to limit the spread of fire once it has started. Effective fire fighting within a building is generally achieved through a combination of active and passive FireStop systems and, when used in conjunction with each other, provide a balanced fire protection strategy.
Passive fire prevention is an integral component, which is designed and built into the fabric of the structure. It is also an essential element of the fire safety of a building. The risk of fire can be minimised by dividing the building into a series of compartments/cells bounded by fire-rated walls and floors. To maintain the firestopping integrity of compartments/cells, any gaps, openings, voids or channels within the fire-rated walls or floors must be sealed with an approved or certified system to prevent the passage of fire, smoke and toxic gases.
