Defensible Fire Protection
On a bright winter morning in December 2005 the landscape of part of the south east was transformed into a black cloud of smoke. Granted, the fire at the refinery was not caused as a result of poor or inadequate building protection, but it did raise public awareness yet higher about fire and its destructive capabilities. The forthcoming Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order which comes into force in April 2006 will have far reaching implications for designers and specifiers concerned with fire safety. There are currently more than one hundred individual pieces of legislation covering fire safety, and navigating a route through them can be at best time consuming, and at worst, utterly tortuous. From this April, however, the onus of responsibility for fire safety in a building or construction will rest with the designated “responsible” person who will be required to conduct relevant risk assessments to minimise or eliminate fire risk from the structure. In most cases for new constructions, that ‘responsible’ person will probably mean the architect or specifier.
The use of external wall insulation (EWI) onto light gauge steel frameworks (LGSF), as used extensively in house building can be facilitated by incorporating an in-built defensible fire system. This is especially effective and pertinent when applied in conjunction with a cavity as required by the NHBC in new-build homes. More than 85% of new-build homes in the UK are registered annually with the NHBC, which stipulates that a drainage system must be included with any EWI as a secondary defence against moisture ingress. In this way, moisture entering the system via poor detailing or even sealant failure around windows and doors will drain away before coming into contact with the LGSF. While the cavity might satisfy the NHBC requirements, it does raise the issue of external spread of flame. It is therefore crucial when building a new house that both moisture ingress and fire safety are considered together when specifying external wall insulation, ideally without compromising on design aesthetics, environmental appropriateness and Part L regulations. After all, in the event of a future claim, all points will lead back to the architect or specifying contractor.
Early 2006 will see the introduction of a new standard to supersede BS 8414:part 2. An EWI system that performs and exceeds the British Standards Institute’s requirements provides a belt and braces solution, particularly when endorsed further by Watford’s Building Research Establishment as being more robust compared with EPS and mineral fibre.
With increasing responsibility and pressure being laid at the feet of architects and specifiers, coupled with ever shortening deadlines and litigious concerns, the ability to select appropriate products with peace of mind is paramount. Prudent specifiers are already choosing products that address all issues and meet all social and legal requirements, recognising that it really is dangerous to play with fire.
