In certain types of buildings the size of the compartments may be limited by national building regulation requirements, however, in others this is not the case. Single-storey factories, for example, have no such dimensional limitations so could therefore consist of a singular very large compartment. This would allow the fire to grow and spread quickly. The installation of sprinkler systems in such large compartments may be necessary to limit the size and spread of a fire in such locations. Ideally, halls and landings would be separated from staircases to prevent a fire from travelling vertically up the stairwell to all floors. However, an over-compartmented building can become restrictive in its daily use. To be effective, compartmentation does need to be planned and implemented properly. Protection of openings in compartment walls and floors and fire stopping. Any opening in compartmentation structures such as doors and ducting has the potential to allow smoke, heat, and fire to spread past the fire-resistance protection. Protection of openings, within compartmentation, includes fire doors, shutters, and dampers. Fire doors separating compartments generally provide a good level of fire protection but only if they are used correctly i.e., not wedged open. Fire stopping and penetration seals help to ensure that walls, floors, and roofs offer fire resistance. It is important that the sealing of gaps in fire-resisting constructions is vital to ensure the system works to its maximum ability to save lives and property. Fire-stopping materials can include cement, glass fibre, gypsum-based plaster and intumescent mastics being used. The ductwork will need to be fire-resistant as this can provide a route for fire and smoke to spread throughout a building. Fire dampers can be used within the ductwork system itself, but if these are not within the system, then the ductwork must provide the same level of fire resistance as that given by the compartment wall or floor. Fire shutters in wall openings need to be assessed to consider their operation (will it operate should mains power be cut off?) Does it obstruct any escape routes when closed? Dampers may need to be installed in ducting. These close inside the ducting to ensure the area is sealed off from the remainder of the building should a fire occur, thus preventing its spread. The illustration that follows shows an opening in an area using compartmentation (the fire door is absent to allow easier definition). The candidate does not need to be too concerned with the finite detail of the construction but should identify that increased fire-spread inhibiting materials (shown as pink boarding) have been used around the opening. Combined with a fire-rated door this design would be used as a service shaft or perhaps a corridor as part of an evacuation route.
©SHEilds – All rights reserved FC V 5 JUN 2021
Page 5 of 41
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software