Introduction
In the contemporary UK landscape, new properties are constructed every month, and most are taller (20 or more floors in a single building). Hence, ensuring fire safety in new buildings becomes vital to prevent injuries and lifelong body damage to occupants.
Several options are available to tackle fire breakouts. One highly effective measure is firestopping, which is gradually becoming preferred by all types of construction (new and old) in Surrey, Kent, Essex and London.
Proper firestopping is a decisive factor in preventing fire containment and catastrophe. However, there are paramount steps that you must follow to effectively stop the fire. In this blog, we will walk you through those steps to prevent significant damage to property and occupants.
We will discuss every crucial aspect, from planning and engaging the right professionals to maintaining quality control and ensuring ongoing safety management. Let’s get started!
What Is Firestopping?
Let us first give you an overview of firestopping. It involves sealing specific openings to prevent fire incidences, including heat and smoke, from passing through multiple building compartments.
The creation of fire-resisting compartments controls the spread of any fire outbreak by subdividing the building horizontally or vertically. It is paramount to ensure that any gaps and openings are properly firestopped to restrict the spread of the fire both vertically and horizontally.
What Is A Firestop?
A firestop is a fire protection system composed of various sealing joints and openings in fire-resistance-rated floor assemblies or walls. These can also be known as MCTs or Multi Cable Transits for penetrating cables. This system is considered essential passive fire protection equipment.
Firestops are meticulously designed to restore the continuous fire resistance of floor or wall assemblies. They block the spread of fire by filling openings with fire-resistant materials.
What Is Included In Fire Protection Equipment?
Fire protection equipment includes fire curtains, firestop sealant, insulation, and more. Fire-resistant doors and curtains are crucial for preventing the spread of fire, limiting its initial development, and protecting escape routes.
Moreover, fireproof sealants are designed to seal cracks and joints in brick chimneys and concrete fireplaces. Firestopping insulation is engineered to effectively control the spread of fire.
Importance Of Firestopping Services In London
Firestopping services are critical in a city like London, where densely populated buildings and historical structures present unique fire safety challenges.
Firestopping controls the spreading of fire between different compartments of a building. This containment is essential to limit fire damage, provide safe evacuation routes, and give firefighters a better chance to control and extinguish fires.
Moreover, firestopping services are effective in curbing the spread of fire to adjacent properties, thus protecting entire neighbourhoods. Additionally, firestopping services ensure compliance with stringent fire safety regulations, which are vital for the safety and legal operation of any building.
Furthermore, professionally installed firestopping systems in London can significantly lower the risk of fire-related fatalities and injuries, making buildings safer for occupants. Investing in firestopping services will give you peace of mind because your property (buildings) resilience will be enhanced. It will also safeguard your valuable assets and ensure the safety of occupants and visitors.
In summary, firestopping services are a fundamental aspect of fire safety that helps to protect lives, property, and the broader community in London.
Reasons For Considering Professional Firestopping Services In London
In this section, we will discuss practical reasons for considering professional firestopping services in London.
- Firstly, professionals have the expertise and in-depth knowledge to correctly install firestopping systems, ensuring they meet all safety standards and regulations. This expertise is paramount in a city like London, where strict building regulations and non-compliance can result in heavy penalties.
- Secondly, professional firestopping services offer comprehensive solutions tailored to the specific needs of a building by considering design, materials, and occupancy.
- Thirdly, by hiring firestopping specialists, you will benefit from advanced firestopping techniques and high-quality materials that provide compelling and durable protection.
- Fourthly, experienced services include thorough inspections and maintenance, ensuring firestopping measures remain effective for years. This ongoing support is vital for maintaining fire safety and adapting to changes in building use or regulations.
- Fifthly, engaging experts mitigates the risk of installation errors, which can hinder the integrity of firestopping systems and potentially lead to catastrophic consequences in the event of a fire.
To summarise, professional firestopping services in London offer peace of mind, ensuring your buildings are well-protected against fire risks and that occupants are safe. Investing in professional expertise is a proactive step towards comprehensive fire safety management.
Essential Steps To Follow For Firestopping
In the last section, we will discuss the pivotal steps to follow for effective firestopping.
Step 1: Planning Firestopping At The Right Time
Fire can spread briskly in residential buildings, destroying personal belongings and homes. Firestopping plays a vital role in building resilience against fire. It must be installed correctly to curb the spread of fire.
Hence, planning the firestopping at the right time is essential to prevent significant damage and ensure residents’ safety.
Step 2: Engaging The Right People
Engaging the proficient team is crucial for getting the job done correctly. The design team must display the 3 Cs: coordination, cooperation, and competence. Their primary duty is to deliver the functional requirements for the project effectively.
Note: The design team must have the attitude, skills, experience, and knowledge to design a safe building.
Step 3: A Robust Submission
Next, it is necessary to submit a complete and robust detailed plan to the Building Safety Regulator. The plan must contain sufficient details to demonstrate that building safety and risks are managed and regulations are met.
Step 4: Avoiding Onsite Design Liability
Conducting the design stage cohesively during RIBA Stage 4 reduces the potential risk of onsite design. It is critical to avoid design work specifically during RIBA Stage 5. For more clarification, you can contact us; our experts are happy to help!
Step 5: Firestopping Quality Control
Depending on the project size, mock-ups of the identified firestopping solutions should be specified and designed. The installation team should conduct the quality assurance inspection and any other regulatory or quality audits.
Step 6: Work Control
To ensure firestopping is done correctly, important steps include work control, sequencing, and quality control.
Step 7: Quality Checks
Regardless of the contractor’s confirmation that the job has been correctly done, it must be checked. It will help you determine whether all the work is done accurately according to guidelines to prevent legal actions and fines.
Step 8: Handover
After the project completion, you must provide the Building Safety Regulator with a comprehensive data set under the latest Building Safety Regulations.
Step 9: Management In Occupation
Based on all relevant information, a knowledgeable building safety manager should arrange for routine inspections, maintenance, and replacement of firestopping if needed.
They will have critical information about existing service routes and the firestopping in place at compartment floors and walls. This information helps the building safety manager effectively manage any work to the building that may compromise existing firestopping.
By understanding and implementing these steps, you can safeguard your properties and occupants’ lives against the devastating impacts of fire.
Conclusion
After reading the blog, you will be familiar with firestopping, firestop, and components included in fire protection equipment. Also, you will have comprehended the importance of firestopping services and reasons for considering a professional company. Moreover, you will have understood all the essential steps to stop the fire.
Considering all the information provided in the blog will ensure your commercial and residential property is secured from potential fire breakouts. Because they will be equipped with proactive solutions to prevent the spread of fire and causing damage to occupants and nearby neighbourhoods.
Furthermore, your property’s goodwill and value will increase as it is fire-protected. Also, employees prefer working with companies that prioritize their safety. If you want the most reliable fireproofing in London, Surrey, Kent, and Essex CA Fire Protection is just a contact away.
We are the industry’s leading specialists, illustrious for following all legal regulations and laws for installing passive firestopping systems and high-performing fire curtains to curb the spread of fire.
Our team provides tailored solutions to match your requirements and needs. Contact us today for a consultation and get clarity from our fireproofing experts.