Evaluating Passive Fire Protection Providers: The Top 10 Essential Questions to Ask
When it comes to safeguarding your assets and ensuring the safety of your building’s occupants from fire, passive fire protection is a critical line of defence. Passive Fire Protection (PFP), also known as fire stopping, compartmentalises and slows the spread of fire, allowing for safe egress and giving emergency services precious time. However, not all companies offering these lifesaving services are equal.
Conducting thorough due diligence is essential. Knowing the right questions to ask can be the difference between choosing a trusted partner or being left with subpar protection.
1. Can They Provide Accreditation and Certification Information?
It is crucial that the company you hire for passive fire protection has the appropriate certifications and accreditations, especially with the need to evidence competence under the requirements of the Building Safety Act. Gunfire holds several accreditations demonstrating their commitment to quality, safety, and industry standards, including:
- ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems
- ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
- ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems
- SSIP (Safety Scheme in Procurement)
- Fire Safety Qualifications from the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE)
- BM Trada Q-Mark for Fire Door Installation & Maintenance
- Constructionline Gold Membership
- Building a Safer Future Charter Signatory
- PAS 99:2012 – Integrated Management System
2. How Experienced Is Their Team?
Experience matters when lives and property are on the line. An adept team will have a track record of successful installations across various building types and scenarios. Our onsite teams at Gunfire are highly experienced and qualified to do the work. We suggest the following as a minimum:
- BM Trada Q-Mark accreditation or equivalent for fire door installation/maintenance
- LPCB/Firas accreditation for fire stopping
- IFE (Institute of Fire Engineers) Level 2 and/or 3 for Passive Fire Protection
- NVQ (relevant to job role)
- CSCS card (relevant to job role)
- FDIS (Fire Door Inspection Scheme)
3. What Types of Passive Fire Protection Solutions Do They Offer?
A diverse array of solutions suggests a robust understanding of different fire safety and compartmentation requirements. Whether intumescent coatings or fire-resistant boards, each solution serves its purpose. Gunfire offers a comprehensive range of services focused on fire safety and compliance, including:
- Fire Door Installation and Maintenance
- Fire Door Inspections
- Fire Stopping: Installation of fire stopping systems to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through compartmentation.
- Compartmentation Surveys: Detailed surveys to identify breaches in fire compartmentation.
- Cavity Barriers
- Fire Barriers
- Fire Risk Assessments
- Linear Gap Seals
- Structural Steel Protection
4. Do They Offer Compartmentation Surveys?
Compartmentation Surveys are detailed assessments that focus on the physical layout of a building to ensure that it can effectively contain a fire, slowing its spread and providing safe egress for occupants. These surveys verify the integrity of fire barriers such as walls, floors, and doors, ensuring they can prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
Key aspects include:
- Examining the integrity of compartment lines detailed in the fire strategy of the building. The walls, floors, and doors should be checked for breaches, for example, when services pass through them.
- Inspecting fire stopping systems to ensure they will maintain their integrity in case of a fire and prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
Compartment surveys can complement Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) by providing a more detailed examination of a building’s passive fire protection systems. While FRAs offer a strategic overview of fire safety, compartmentation surveys delve into the architectural specifics, ensuring that all passive fire protection measures are effectively in place and maintained.
5. How Do They Ensure Compliance with Current Fire Safety Regulations?
Regulations evolve, and so must the strategies and products used. Ask how they stay updated and compliant with the latest rules. At Gunfire, we ensure compliance with current fire safety regulations through a rigorous process that includes:
- Training: All installers attend fire door installation training provided by relevant manufacturers before working on live sites.
- Compliance Checks: A 4-step quality check process to ensure defect-free handovers.
- Documentation: Detailed records of each installation, including specifications, testing certifications, and maintenance guidelines.
- Accreditations: BM Trada accreditations for fire door installations and maintenance and LPCB for fire stopping.
- Innovative Tools: Tools like Bolster to document inspections and record all work.
- Manufacturer Warranties: Installations meet the standards required for manufacturer warranties.
6. What Is Their Quality Assurance Protocol Like?
Quality assurance guarantees that every installation meets a high standard. Without it, even the best products can fail. Our quality assurance protocol involves a robust 4-step process:
- Initial Inspection: Comprehensive quality inspection upon completion of each installation.
- Intrusive Tests: 10% intrusive tests on all works.
- Visual Inspections: Weekly visual inspections of installations from every project using our recording software, Bolster.
- Final Compliance Check: A member of our Compliance Team inspects every installed door on-site and reviews the records before signing off the installation.
7. Can They Provide References or Case Studies?
othing beats real-world examples. A confident company will happily share success stories and endorsements from past clients.
8. What Post-Installation Support Do They Offer?
The relationship shouldn’t end post-installation. Long-term support indicates a commitment to customer satisfaction and safety.
9. Do They Offer Customised PFP Solutions?
There are times when standard tested details from a manufacturer are not available for a specific fire stopping breach. On these occasions, the manufacturers should have an experienced technical team who can suggest engineered judgments and alternative compliance solutions.
10. How Do They Handle Project Management?
Effective project management ensures that the works program runs smoothly, stays on schedule, and remains within budget. The Gunfire approach to project management is systematic and tailored to each project, ensuring compliance with all relevant standards and regulations. Key aspects include:
- Planning and Management: Comprehensive risk assessments, risk mitigation strategies, and open communication with stakeholders.
- Compliance and Quality Assurance: Regular reviews, checklists, and control points.
- Collaboration and Coordination: Collaborative project management tools for real-time tracking and documentation.
- Competence and Training: Continuous professional development and training for our team.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Regular updates on key risks and issues through progress reports and meetings.
Conclusion
Selecting the right passive fire protection company is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It requires scrutiny, foresight, and a considerable amount of inquiry. Armed with these ten questions, you can peel back the layers of marketing gloss and evaluate the substance of any potential passive fire protection provider.
