Passive Fire Protection Services
for the Norwich, Norfolk Area

Fire door maintenance and remediation

From fire compartmentation to protection of escape routes, fire doors perform a vital role. They are generally designed to be kept closed (unless on electronic hold back devices) with specific ironmongery and intumescent strips only fitted. 

Fire doors must operate correctly, be tested and third-party certified to give a performance rating for how long the fire door will prevent the spread of a fire, these are usually 30, 60, or 120 minutes and identified as such within the test details. 

Regular inspections are a legal requirement and can only be performed by a trained and competent professional. We can provide the technical expertise to conduct a fire door survey, routine maintenance, and remediation or replacement work as required. 

Fire doors have a vital role in the protection against the spread of fire and smoke, especially in multi-storey buildings. Their correct installation is therefore not only a legal requirement but also a fundamental element in the design of a building.

Compartment walls and doors are designed to contain a fire, however, there are several systems within a building, such as heating and air conditioning, that need to be able to breach barriers to deliver to other areas. To maintain the integrity of a fire barrier, fire and smoke dampers are used in ductwork and ceiling cavities to seal any necessary compartmental breaches. Dampers form part of a passive fire protection system and are designed to close in the event of a fire. This closure protects the integrity of a barrier and prevents the spread of smoke and fire from compartment to compartment.

Fire dampers respond to heat. The damper shuts when it detects that the temperature has reached a certain level. The fusible link, attached to the damper, melts, causing the damper’s door to close. 

Smoke dampers close when smoke is detected. In the event of a fire, smoke and toxic gas inhalation is often the biggest killer. Usually activated by the fire alarm and smoke detector system, dampers close to prevent the passage of smoke through ducts. A combination of the two offers dual protection. 

Appropriate installation and maintenance of dampers are crucial. A survey can help you achieve compliance by identifying the location of dampers and visually inspecting them for signs of corrosion, obstruction, or damage. All dampers must be regularly maintained. We can carry out a thorough survey to catalogue their location and enable effective ongoing management.

Fire stopping forms part of passive fire protection systems with the aim of preventing fire, smoke, and heat from passing through building compartments. Fire is contained by sealing any openings and gaps to create fire-resisting compartments that prevent both lateral and vertical fire spread. Hughes and Associates can help you choose the appropriate passive fire protection products that provide the most effective solutions for your premises. We can advise on the ideal combination of products to create a functional firestop system to suit your unique environment.  

Fire sleeves are designed to fill an opening created by pipes or cables that pass through a wall or ceiling. In the event of a fire, the sleeve expands to fill the space. The sleeve will crush plastic pipes to create a seal that prevents the passage of fire and smoke to the adjacent compartment.

Fire collars are designed to maintain fire resistance levels. They can be fitted around the base of a pipe and attached to a masonry, plasterboard, or concrete partition. The material in the collar swells with heat exposure and forms an insulating barrier which reduces heat transfer between compartments. 

Fire sealants and gap fillers are used to seal openings and joints in the walls and floors of buildings. The intumescent material expands when exposed to heat, closing any gaps to stop the fire spreading for a period of time. In effect, this passive fire protection product buys time in the event of an outbreak of fire.

If a ceiling is fitted with recessed lights, fire covers can be used to reinstate the integrity of the ceiling’s fire resistance performance. Fire covers provide a barrier above the light fitting to re-seal the ceiling compartment.

Experts in both new-build and remediation projects, Hughes and Associates can advise on a range of passive fire protection solutions to suit your premises’ unique environment. All buildings are different and as such, require bespoke solutions. 

Seek expert advice from our experienced team to ensure the protection of your people and property.