What is the ASFP?

Formed in 1975, the ASFP is the trade association that represents the interests of the UK's manufacturers and installers of fire protections systems for steel, concrete, ductwork, penetration seals and fire stopping. These systems are sometime referred to as passive fire protection products. For a list of ASFP members go to http://asfp.associationhouse.org.uk/default.php?cmd=260

The ASFP works with Government and standard setting bodies both directly and via other sector group associations to increase the quality of the installed fire protection of the UK's buildings and industrial plants including onshore as well as offshore facilities.

Who does the ASFP work with?

The Passive Fire Protection Federation (go to www.pfpf.org) which is the sector group for the entire passive fire protection industry, and includes apart form the ASFP the trade associations that are involved with fire doors, fire shutters, fire resistant glazing and partitions. Regulators, enforcers, insurers, test houses, certification bodies and other professional institutes are also members of the PFPF.

The European Association for Passive Fire Protection  www.eapfp.com  which provides the ASFP with a route into the European standard making scene.

The National Specialist Contractors Council (go to www.nscc.org.uk) which represents the interests at Government level of specialist contractors.

The Construction Industry Training Board (go to www.citb.co.uk). The ASFP participates with the CITB in the design of training courses, National Vocational Qualifications and Apprenticeships

The fire resistance of a component, such as a steel column, is its ability to resist the affects of fire for a period of time and this is usually measured by submitting the component to a firetest as defined in a nationally or internationally recognised standard. 

Most construction materials have some natural resistance to fire and as such comprise built-in fire protection. This natural fire resistance may be enhanced by the use of added materials or systems that are known by the collective term of passive fire protection. For example the fire resistance of steel may be enhanced by the use of intumescent coatings, and concrete by sprayed cementitious coatings. While holes in partitions around penetrating services may be sealed by proprietary mortars or batts.

At the website of the Passive Fire Protection Federation (go to www.pfpf.org) you will find links to the trade associations that are involved with fire doors, fire shutters, fire resistant glazing and partitions.

Under load steel will start to buckle and move when temperatures reach 550 C and in a steel framed building this will compromise its stability and compartmentation.

Where can I find listings of independently validated products for the fire protection of structural steel?

The 'Yellow Book' (also known as 'Fire Protection for Structural Steel in Buildings') contains such listings and is available as a free download from this website, go to

Why do service penetrations/openings through fire rated walls need sealing/stopping?

Because hot gases, fire and smoke will pass through thus spreading the fire and consequently the threat to life.

Where can I find listings of independently certified products that are suitable for sealing/stopping penetrations/openings?

The 'Red Book' (also known as 'Fire Stopping and Penetration Seals for the Construction Industry') contains such listings and is available as a free download from this website, go to

I have a fire protection problem for which there appears to be no tested passive fire protection system, what can I do?

The Passive Fire Protection Federation has a document entitled 'Guide to undertaking assessments in lieu of fire tests' and this gives guidance for the situation you describe, for a free download go to http://asfp.associationhouse.org.uk/default.php?cmd=210&doc_category=32

Yes the ASFP has a document, which was partly funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, entitled 'Ensuring Best Practice for Passive Fire Protection in Buildings' and this can be downloaded by going to the publication page.

Who sets the level of passive fire protection in a building?

Generally the Building Regulations for new build. The Fire Authority has to be consulted if refurbishment projects are to be undertaken.

What is Approved Document B (ADB) to The Building Regulations for England and Wales?

ADB is a Fire Safety document that provides practical guidance on meeting the requirements of the Building Regulations. There may also be alternative ways of achieving compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations. For a copy of Approved Document B click here

But I live in Scotland, what documents are available from the Scottish Executive?

Technical Standards for fire performance of buildings are available from the Scottish Building Standards Agency at www.sbsa.gov.uk

Details on Scottish fire safety legislation is available from www.infoscotland.com/firelaw

But what about Northern Ireland?

Go to http://www.northernireland-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/sr/sr2000/20000389.htm for Part E Fire Safety of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 to see how compliance may be achieved.

I understand that in the UK Building Regulations with regard to fire are aimed mainly at saving life. If I want to go further and install extra passive fire protection to enhance the preservation of the building in a fire situation where can I find information?

The Fire Protection Association and the Association of British Insures publish a document called ' The LPC Design Guide for the Fire Protection of Buildings' and this will give you guidance with regard to increasing the level of passive fire protection in your building. For a free download go to http://www.thefpa.co.uk/News/FPA+Design+Guide.htm 

Third Party Certification Schemes

Why should I use a third party certificated contractor to install passive fire protection systems?

Approved Document B (Fire Safety) to the England and Wales Building Regulations states "Since the fire performance of a product, component or structure is dependent upon satisfactory site installation and maintenance, independent schemes of certification and registration of installers and maintenance firms of such will provide confidence in the appropriate standard of workmanship being provided.

Where can I find information concerning third party certificated schemes for installers of passive fire protection systems?

The following companies are known to provide such schemes:-

BM TRADA Certification, go to http://www.trada.co.uk/services/410360.html

BRE Certification , go to http://www.brecertification.co.uk

IFC Certification , go to http://www.ifccertification.com

Warrington Certification Limited, go to http://www.warringtonfire.net

Structural Steel Fire Protection

How do passive fire protection products protect structural steel?

For a general overview please go to http://asfp.associationhouse.org.uk/default.php?cmd=8

I have specific questions with regard to the use of intumescent coatings for structural steel fire protection can you help?

                                 
Can intumescent paints be used for the fire protection of beams at the heads of compartment walls or fire resisting walls?

A generic answer  can be provided. Yes, intumescent coatings can usually provide the necessary structural fire protection to the steel beam/section.

N.B.Where any fire separating wall forms a junction with the steel structure, there may also be a need to satisfy the fire integrity and insulation criteria of the entire fire wall division, so additional protection may be required to the steel section to meet these additional criteria, and/or to address any firestopping requirement between the junction of the protected steelwork and the wall itself.

Where the steel beam is at right angles to the fire resisting wall, additional firestopping is likely to be required to close the path to passage of fire in any space created in the web of the steel beam, and above or below the beam.
For any further guidance on fire integrity and insulation criteria consult Building Control.

Can intumescent paints be used to protect beams and columns where external cladding systems are intended to be abutted to the steel surfaces?

In general, a minimum gap of 50  x dry film thickness of the reactive coating is recommended to allow adequate expansion in a fire, This guidance applies to the gap between the cladding and the flat surfaces of the protected steel section,  as well as the flange tips unless specific fire tests prove otherwise.

Gap sizes may be reduced where manufacturers have specific fire test evidence.

Continuous linear fixings [timber or metal] should be considered as part of the main beam, and duly protected from fire., unless other supporting fire test evidence can be provided.

Brackets and angles are often added to perimeter steel beams to allow cladding systems to be fixed to the structural framework. What is the recommended treatment of these angles and brackets so that the fire resistance of the beam is not inadvertently reduced?

Continuous linear fixings should be considered as part of the main beam, and duly protected from fire.
The mass, spacing and orientation of fixings can all play a part in the total potential heat transfer into the steel structure. The effect from the heating of brackets fixed at intervals to different masses of steel structure is very difficult to quantify. It is not possible to give generalised guidance on the effect of spaced fixings to steelwork protected by reactive coating products.  The intumescent coating manufacturer should be contacted for specific advice. Fire protection may well be advised.
The manufacturer of the intumescent coating should be contacted for advice on the extent of any fire protection onto the cladding beyond its junction with the fixing bracket.

What clearance is required between the steel sections coated with intumescent paints and any services penetrating through apertures in the web of  protected steel sections?

No generic answer can be provided.
Consult individual intumescent paint manufacturers for advice.

 In the case of deep web beams, the deepest web that is fire tested is 610mm and the steel section  is not loaded when tested. Does this mean that the tested intumescent paint can be used to protect any steel with a deeper web depth, with or without additional retention of the coating by mesh systems? Do any limitations apply?

Guidance is given in Draft prEN 13381-8 Reactive Coatings as follows:-
Provided that one of the beams tested has a web depth of at least 600mm there will be no limitation on the maximum web depth that can be protected, otherwise the assessment will be limited to the maximum web depth tested plus 50%. The intumescent coating manufacturer should be asked to comment on any limitations or reinforcement.

Most new steel frames need to be fire protected before the external envelope is added to the building stucture, whilst adequate space exists. The protected steelwork may therefore become exposed to the weather elements for a time. Is this a problem for intumescent coatings?

Intumescent coatings are available for all types of service environments when used in conjunction with the correct topcoat system.
However, there is no generic guidance available. Consult individual manufacturers for advice

There are many ways of demonstrating durability of intumescent products. The obvious and most important is track record of real projects over many years. In addition some products have been tested to BS 8202 Part 2.
Underwriters Laboratory have a range of environmental testing requirements for both internal and external uses.
Most recently the European Technical Approval Guidance for intumescents (ETAG 18 Part 2) also has specific durability testing depending on service conditions.
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Does the passage of time effect the ability of intumescent coatings to develop char when subsequently exposed to fire?

As in Q6 there are many standard aging test requirements in the national and European requirements previously mentioned.
There is no generic guidance available. Consult individual manufacturers for advice.

What is the effect when steel sections protected by intumescent paint systems are overpainted by a ‘house proud’ client or  building management team? 

Some manufacturers have a range of fire test data where multiple topcoats have been applied prior to fire testing. It may be possible to overpaint certain intumescent coating systems.
Consult individual manufacturers for advice.

Can intumescent coatings be used to protect cellular beams

Yes, in the case of cellular beams with circular holes – Refer to the fire test protocol as detailed in Section 6.2 of the ASFP publication ‘Fire protection for structural steel in buildings’ – 4th Edition 2007. This publication can be downoaded from the publication page free of charge.

In the case of  cellular beams with other shaped apertures, refer to the manufacturer who must provide specific third party verification of the performance.

Is fire protection required for steel  bolt  heads connecting steel sections?

Yes bolt heads should have the same resistance to fire exposure as the steel section, unless the fire protection manufacturer can demonstrate otherwise through third party verification of the performance.

Can I spray another coat of  intumescent paint over a system which already has a top coat?

Generally this is not advisable unless the coating manufacturer has relevant fire test data.  The applicator MUST first consult the manufacturer of the coating system. It is likely  that the manufacturer will advise full removal of the top coat before re-application.

When intumescent coatings are applied over other types of passive fire protection, such as boards or non-reactive sprays, or a different intumescent coating, are the individual contributions to fire resistance additive?
Definitely not. We do not advise mixing fire protection systems of any type unless there is specific test evidence available from the manufacturers concerned. Combinations of individual fire resistance periods are not additive in any circumstances, unless supported by relevant test information.

I have specific questions with regard to the use of sprayed cementitious coatings or boards for structural steel fire protection can you help?

How do we protect deep web beams ?

Fire protection board systems may be applied in a boxed or profiled configuration.
[1] For profiled board applications,
Flexible boards such as those made from mineral wool may require cover          strips    at all joints.
The use of rigid boards in this situation is generally not practical.

[2] For boxed board applications,
      The use of solid or “T-shaped “ noggings will usually be required on all beams    with web depths of 533mm or greater. Contact the manufacturer for specific          requirements.
      Flexible boards may require more internal support and cover strips at joints than            rigid boards. Contact the manufacturer for specific requirements.
      Rigid boards are more self supporting but may require protection to the web joint          or secondary support. Consult the manufacturer for specific requirements.

Fire protection cementitious spray applications will require the use of retention mesh where the web depth between the flanges exceeds 650mm. Consult the manufacturer for fixing details.
Note: mesh retention is also required where flange width exceeds 325mm.

How do we protect beams with multiple web openings?

The section factor of the steel beam is established using the equation 1400/t where t is the thickness (mm) of the lower part of the steel web-post. The thickness of the fire protection system to be applied is then calculated based on the limiting temperature of the beam and a further 20% is added to the thickness.
Unless specific product data exists, protect all edges, dependent on the fire protection period required.
Further guidance is provided in Section 6.1 ASFP publication “Fire protection for structural steel in buildings. 4th Edition”

How do we deal with columns and beams within and passing through compartment walls?

Where a beam is passing through a compartment wall it should be fire protected to the appropriate level up to the wall and a fire seal should be utilised to prevent passage of fire through the compartment where the beam meets the wall. This fire seal should provide the necessary level of fire resistance, including fire integrity and insulation, and should be capable of dealing with any expected differential movement.

Where a beam or column forms part of a fire compartment wall there are two separate issues,  
[a]  fire protection of the steel
[b] fire separation criteria for the wall.

The criteria for [b]may be the dominant feature, such that additional protection thickness/measures will then be required for the steel work in the region of the wall, in order to deal with the fire integrity and insulation requirement from Approved Document B – Appendix A.
Specifically, under normal circumstances, a maximum 140ºC rise in the average temperature of the surfaces on the non- fire side of the compartment wall will be permitted. This is to be contrasted with keeping steel temperatures below 550ºC or so to maintain the structural load-bearing capability of the steel.

In the case of non load-bearing walls consideration should be given to the deflection of the beam during fire and the effect that this may have on the integrity of the compartment wall.

Guidance on the fire protection of partially exposed steel members can be found in Section 1.63.ASFP publication “Fire protection for structural steel in buildings. 4th Edition”

How do we address the issue of brackets and angles fixed to columns and beams?

Where brackets, angles and other secondary fixings are to be attached to a steel beam, or column, the passage of heat into the structural steel via these fixings must be kept to a minimum. In order to achieve this fire protection of the fixing may be required. Consult the fire protection system manufacturer for specific details.

Where fixings are installed prior to the fire protection:

1. Boards can be cut to fit around them.
2. In the case of cementitious sprays, the fixings should be masked and then the spray may be applied in the normal way and the masking removed afterwards to reveal the fixings.

If fixings are installed after the fire protection system then areas of fire protection, of a minimum size, can be cut away to allow the fixings to be attached. A patch repair may be required in some circumstances to reinstate the required level of fire resistance.
Contact the fire protection system manufacturer for specific requirements and procedures.

How do we deal with deflection at interfaces of steelwork with non load-bearing walls?

The limits of deflection are described in the guidance provided in Approved Document B – section 8.2.7, in support of the UK  Building Regulations 
This guidance will limit the steel deflection and allow the partition supplier to provide an interface detail.

What primer systems are compatible with spray applied fire protection?

Gypsum based products are generally less chemically aggressive than those based on cement.

Where cement based products are applied to primed steel, an epoxy type primer will generally be compatible whereas an alkyd based primer will not be compatible.

Cementitious sprays are often applied to bare steel.

It is essential that installers and the designer consult with the cementitious spray manufacturer to confirm the compatibility of any steel priming system.

How do we protect steel beams supporting timber joists or concrete slabs?

Where timber joists are located into the web of a beam the steel beam will usually need protection from fire in order to comply with the requirements of Approved Document B Appendix A. The timber joists which penetrate through the fire protecting layer must be fire stopped with a tested method or appropriately fire tested penetration seal. Consult manufacturer for specific guidance.

In addition, the timber floor will need to be fire resisting to the appropriate level and fire protection to the timber floor and timber joists may be required. The methods used to fix any fire protection system to the timber shall be as tested in a relevant fire test.

The fire protection of concrete slabs will depend on [a] the construction, density, the thickness, the thickness of concrete over reinforcement steel, the fire resistance requirements for the concrete floor slab, and [b] the thermal requirements arising from the location of the slab in the building.
Consult the manufacturer for specific guidance.

Does steelwork (columns, beams, etc) in boundary wall condition require full protection?

The fire resistance requirements of the wall may change according to the requirements of Building Regulations Approved Document B 2006, and particularly where the building wall is less than 1 metre from the boundary of the property.   

The requirements for the fire resistance criteria of the boundary wall must be ascertained in order to assess any additional requirements for the structural steel associated with the boundary wall.

Consult the manufacturer for specific guidance

To access these go to ASFP Publications

What is the difference between Class 1 and Class O Spread of Flame classifications?

See TGN 5 Guide to Class 0 and Class 1

To access these go to ASFP Publications

How do I use passive fire protection products for roof components and secondary steelwork of portal framed buildings?

See TGN 4 Fire protection of roof components and secondary steelwork of portal framed buildings

To access these go to ASFP Publications

Can I upgrade the fire protection of a concrete floor using passive fire protection products?

Yes see TGN 1 Spray Coatings for fire protection of concrete floors

To access these go to ASFP Publications

What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order?

Changes to Fire Safety Law - UK fire safety legislation has been contained in a total of 118 separate pieces of legislation.  These include Fire Precautions Act 1971, the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 as amended and a host of local Acts and Bye-Laws. 

The Order - intends to simplify the requirements as one Order, and takes forward many of the requirements for risk assessments from the Workplace Regulations.  The Order was laid before Parliament on 10th May 2004 and resultant evidence to the Parliamentary Committee is now being considered, as well as interactions with other legislation.  It's expected that 'The Order' will come into force around November 2005, or as soon as possible after that date. 

Responsible persons - The Order places a firm responsibility on the 'Responsible Person' for the fire safety measures that must be taken to ensure the safety of all the people they are responsible for, directly or indirectly.  It will apply to the majority of premises and workplaces in the UK excepting dwellings; offshore installations; building sites; military sites; underground parts of mines; or any structure that floats, flies or runs on wheels. 

The 'responsible person' is required to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment, produce a Policy, develop Procedures especially for evacuation, provide Staff Training and carry out Fire Drills.  The responsible person MUST provide and maintain clear Means of Escape, Signs, Notices, Emergency Lighting, Fire Detection and Alarm and Extinguishers.  The risk assessment must be reviewed regularly and amended whenever necessary.  It must be formally recorded if the responsible person employs 5 or more people, if the premises are licensed of if the Inspector requires it. 

The 'responsible person' must appoint  one or more 'competent persons' to assist him, with sufficient training, experience and knowledge, and have 3rd party accreditation if acting as a sub-contractor. 

Employees rights must be respected.  They must be consulted under the Order and be provided with information. 

New Guidance - The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will provide 11 Guidance documents appropriate to a variety of occupational uses of buildings - including Shops and Offices, Educational premises, Place of Assembly, Factories and Warehouses, premises providing Sleeping Accommodation, Residential Care, Theatres and Cinemas, Outdoor Events and in the Transport Network. 

Enforcement - Enforcement will be the province of Fire Authorities, HSE, MOD or the Local Authority (sports grounds) - by force id necessary.  Failure to comply with Articles 8 to 21 and 38 may result in a fine or up to 2 years in prison.  Enforcers will have new rights of entry, to identify responsible persons, the limits of the premises, to inspect or copy records, and to take samples. 

Fire Certificates will be abolished - Previously issued fire certificates will be abolished and cease legal status. 

Further details - More information is available on the ODPM website