What is Passive Fire Protection (PFP)?
Passive Fire Protection (PFP) refers to built-in fire safety measures designed to contain fire and smoke, slow its spread, and protect escape routes.
Passive systems, unlike alarms or sprinklers, are built into the structure and always present. They need to be installed, inspected, and maintained properly to work as intended.
Key Benefits of Passive Fire Protection:
- Protects lives by maintaining safe escape routes
- Limits fire and smoke spread
- Reduces structural damage
- Supports legal compliance with UK fire safety regulations
Types of Passive Fire Protection Systems
Understanding the different types of passive fire protection is essential for compliance and safety.
Fire Doors
Fire doors are among the most important safety features in any building.
They:
- Provide 30–60 minutes of fire resistance (FD30 / FD60)
- Protect stairwells, corridors, and escape routes
- Prevent fire and smoke spread between compartments
Poor installation or damage to fire doors is a common reason for failing to meet compliance standards.
Fire-Resistant Partitions
Fire-resistant walls and partitions divide buildings into controlled sections.
They:
- Slow the spread of fire across floors
- Protect high-risk or high-value areas
- Support safe evacuation strategies
Fire-Resistant Ceilings
Fire-resistant ceilings are sometimes overlooked, but they play a key role in stopping fire from spreading through hidden spaces.
They:
- Stop fire spreading through ceiling voids
- Protect structural elements
- Maintain compartment integrity
Compartmentation
Compartmentation forms the basis of passive fire protection.
It involves dividing a building into fire-resistant sections using:
- Walls
- Floors
- Fire doors
- Fire stopping systems
Why it matters:
- Slows fire progression
- Protects escape routes
- Minimises damage
- Ensures compliance with fire safety regulations
Building Safety Act 2022: What Has Changed?
The Building Safety Act 2022 has transformed fire safety responsibilities across the UK, particularly for higher-risk residential buildings.
Key Changes Include:
- Introduction of the Accountable Person (AP) and Principal Accountable Person (PAP) roles
- Legal duty to manage fire and structural risks proactively
- Requirement to maintain a “golden thread” of building information
- Mandatory building registration and safety case reports
- Stronger enforcement powers and penalties for non-compliance
The focus is now on ongoing risk management and accountability, rather than just reacting to compliance issues.
Responsibilities of the Accountable Person
If you are an Accountable Person, your legal obligations now include:
Risk Management
- Identify, assess, and control fire and structural risks
Building Registration
- Register higher-risk buildings with the Building Safety Regulator
Safety Case Report
- Demonstrate how risks are being managed and controlled
Information Management
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date safety records (the “golden thread”)
Resident Engagement
- Provide clear fire safety information to occupants
Ongoing Compliance
- Ensure all fire protection systems are inspected and maintained.
Failure to comply can result in significant legal, financial, and reputational consequences.
How Westwood Projects Can Help
Westwood Projects specialises in providing passive fire protection solutions that meet all compliance requirements. We support Accountable Persons, landlords, and contractors.
Our Services Include:
Passive Fire Protection Installation
- Fire doors (FD30 / FD60)
- Fire-resistant partitions and ceilings
- Fire stopping and sealing systems
Compartmentation Surveys
- Identify breaches and compliance issues
- Detailed reporting with actionable recommendations
Fire Door Inspections
- Condition assessments and compliance checks
- Maintenance and remedial works
Building Safety Act Compliance Support
- Guidance for Accountable Persons
- Support with documentation and audit trails
- We help you keep your building information up to date and organised.
Ongoing Maintenance & Support
- Planned maintenance programmes
- Long-term compliance assurance
Why Choose Westwood Projects?
- Experienced passive fire protection specialists
- Fully compliant with UK regulations and standards
- We offer a complete service, from survey and installation to ongoing maintenance.
- Trusted support for Accountable Persons and duty holders
Get Expert Support Today
With more attention on building safety under the new Act, making sure your building is compliant is now essential, not optional.
Westwood Projects provides the expertise, systems, and support you need to stay compliant and keep occupants safe.
Contact us today to discuss your passive fire protection requirements.