Fire Code 8
Fire Stopping and
Passive Fire Protection
Health & Safety Services
FPS/FC8
Revision 0
Ratified at Health & Safety Committee 20 March 2012
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ...........................................................................................................②
Introduction ....................................................................................................................③
Fire Integrity Works ........................................................................................................④
Building Fabric and Decor ..............................................................................................⑤
②
Introduction
1. Passive fire protection is probably the single most important fire protection
measure within any building, without robust passive fire protection fire and smoke
can ravage through a building unchecked resulting in its total loss.
2. Total loss of buildings would potentially be catastrophic; many companies within
industry never recover from the effects of fire.
3. It is therefore imperative that a robust policy and method of dealing with this is
implemented.
4. The University of Bradford recognises its obligations in ensuring its buildings
meet the functional requirements of the Fire Safety Order and other associated
legislation to ensure they are safe for all those persons who may reasonably be
expected to use them. In addition it is recognised that a measure of protection
must be offered to the emergency services who may need to enter to deal with a
hazardous situation.
5. Passive fire protection and fire stopping is paramount is restricting or slowing
down the spread of fire and or smoke. By containing fire spread within small
manageable areas known as fire compartments the amount of potential damage
can be restricted which assists with business continuity, additionally and more
importantly correctly installed passive fire protection buys time ensuring that
building occupants have sufficient time to evacuate safely. It also provides the
emergency services with a structure that is inherently safer for them to enter to
deal with the task.
6. In order to safeguard occupants and premises all Project Managers 1, Architects,
Principal Contractors, Design Consultants, Maintenance personnel, Schools,
Departments and any other person involved with working on University buildings
must ensure they are familiar with this Fire Code.
7. It must be noted that prior to the forming of any openings within the fabric of the
building the Estates and Facilities Asbestos Management Policy document must
be consulted, This document gives advice on the provision of asbestos
information and asbestos and PPE guidelines.
8. With effect from the date this code is ratified, all works, whether minor repairs or
major building projects must comply with the requirements of this code.
1
Project Manager is defined as any Appointed Contract Administrator, University of Bradford Estates
Project Manager, IT services contractor manager, Networking manager, Departmental/School managers
③
Fire Integrity Works
9. Expanding foam must not be used to seal any wall, floor or ceiling penetrations,
this also applies to ‘fire rated’ expanding foam. By the nature of the product it is
not possible to ensure a fill depth as per manufacturer’s recommendations has
been achieved, in addition the foam is polyurethane which emits toxic gas when
heated.
10. Any single holes for the transportation of a single cable made in the building
structure can be sealed by University of Bradford Estates and Facilities
maintenance personnel, approved Departmental or School maintenance
personnel or approved Contractors using intumastic sealant of the recommended
type, the depth to width ratio for this is 1 to 1 (e.g. if a 20mm hole is drilled it must
be filled to a minimum depth of 20mm), this material must not be used for joints
any bigger than 25mm as per the recommendations in the attached product data
sheet. Please note the penetrations in these instances must be sealed on both
sides of the hole wherever possible i.e. where both sides of the hole are
accessible.
11. Passive fire protection and fire stopping works involving holes larger than 25mm
to reinstate the fire integrity of a building should only be undertaken by
companies that are 3rd party accredited by the Building Research Establishment
(BRE) and Loss Prevention Council Board (LPCB) or similar approved scheme.
12. The same requirements are applicable to refurbishments, new build projects and
or general maintenance/improvement works where it involves penetrations to
floor slabs or sub-compartment walls.
13. In order to facilitate this and ensure the works are undertaken to the correct
specification Project Managers or Principal Contractors should either Employ;
a. Checkmate Fire Solutions Ltd. directly (University of Bradford preferred
contractor),
b. Another passive fire protection company who are 3 rd party accredited by
BRE and LPCB,
c. A passive fire protection company signed up to the FIRAS Scheme
operated by Warrington Certification Ltd,
Company
Checkmate Fire Solutions
Royd House
11 Birds Royd Lane
Brighouse
HD6 1LQ
Contact Details
Tel: 01484 721 154
Fax: 01484 723152
Email: info@checkmatefire.com
Web: www.checkmatefire.com
④
Accreditation
14. The University of Bradford will not accept any company who self certificates to
install passive or active fire protection products under this fire code.
15. The University Fire Safety Officer should be contacted to ensure the appointed
Contractor has accreditation to the relevant scheme.
16. Upon completion of all projects the works and materials must have an
LPCB/FIRAS certificate of conformity issued; in addition photographs should be
issued showing completed works.
Temporary Re-instatement
For works that are ongoing it may be necessary to undertake temporary fire stopping, in
holes larger than 25mm this can be undertaken by inserting a ‘snug’ piece of Intubatt
cut to the size and shape of the hole, as this is only a temporary repair there is no
requirement for it to be sealed, this will facilitate its removal when works resume. (A
product data sheet is attached for information).
Building Fabric and Decor
1. Contractors must also make good any damage to the building fabric and
decorations including replacement/re-fitting of ceiling tiles etc. where appropriate.
2. Contractors failing to follow this fire code will in the first instance be issued with a
warning and any payment due may be withheld, if the contractor persistently
disregards this instruction they are at risk of being withdrawn from the
Universities list of preferred contractors.
⑤
Schedule
1. Process,
In order that University staff and contractors follow the necessary steps to ensure
compliance a simple step-by-step guide is given below:
a. Request for quote issued to contractor,
b. Works and price agreed,
c. University Fire Safety Officer informed of scheme of works,
d. University Asbestos advisor informed of scheme of works,
e. Works commence,
f. On completion building fabric re-instated
g. Fire stopping undertaken by Checkmate fire or another BRE/LPCB
third party accredited company,
h. Certificate issued by sub-contractor stating fire stopping made good,
i.
Certificate of conformity forwarded to University Fire Safety Officer for
filing,
j.
Job signed off,
⑥
2. Product Data
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