Timber in construction has become a firm favourite with designers and contractors for a fast completion of a project. However, the use of timber can dramatically increase the risk of an accidental or malicious fire becoming out of control. We simply cannot keep on allowing new timber frame developments to be built without fire protection to the substrate and fittings.
A recent fire on a newly constructed timber frame building in Peckham, London resulted in 300 people needing to be evacuated. The problem highlighted the fact, that a timber frame fire can also cause massive problems for surrounding buildings and their occupants. Enforcement of building and fire regulations will play a pivotal role in reducing the spread of a fire, but without the knowledge by tradesmen of passive fire prevention procedures the building could still be at great risk. Plumbing, carpentry and electrical installations can provide holes and gaps that if not properly fire protected will ensure that a small fire will become a raging inferno!
The importance of passive fire products cannot be over stated, and properly trained installers will help to appreciate the dangers of incorrectly fire-stopping gaps. Training is available from The Passive Fire Training Centre were tradesmen can learn how an unprotected door, light fitting, pipe work or air vent could mean the difference between life and death. After completion of the course, tradesmen will be invited to hold a membership card for the Nationwide Association of Passive Fire Installers and Specifiers (NAPFIS). Card holders will be issued with installation certificates and they will be expected to certificate their work, this will ensure a tightening of quality control and also a documented record of installation can be kept in the event of a fire.
With more and more timber being used in today’s construction, it is vital that operatives are fully conversant of the fire risks associated with this substrate. Leading the field of passive fire protection is the Envirograf® range, included in the range are fire protective coatings for timber. The Envirograf® water based fire protective coatings for timber can offer both Class 0 & Class 1 spread of flame and 30 and 60 minutes fire protection. Tested to BS476 parts 6 & 7 and 22 and B/S1/d0 of European Standard Parts EN13823:2002 single burn test (SBI) and EN11925-2: 2002 ignitability on a wide range of substrates.
Timber in construction is still a superb natural material to use but without proper fire protection, more developments will be susceptible to the risk of a fire and insurance claims will rise and lives will be lost!!
