What is the Difference Between Active and Passive Fire Protection?

Active Fire Protection

Active Fire Protection, or AFP, are tools and systems that provide fire protection if an action or motion is taken. For example, AFP commonly needs to be manually operated or switched on. The most common forms of AFP include:

Fire Alarms

Fire alarms are classified as active protection as they must be activated (usually by breaking glass and pressing a button) in order to work. Once activated, a fire alarm gives off a loud, ringing or high-pitched noise to inform all inhabitants in a building that there is a fire risk and that they must exit the building immediately.

Sprinkler Systems

Some sprinkler systems may need to be manually activated whereas others are triggered by a fire alarm, making them an active form of fire protection. Sprinkler systems release a spray of water to immediately put out or stop the spread of a fire.

Fire Extinguishers

As fire extinguishers need to be manually operated, they are also forms of active protection. Firefighters using fire extinguishers are also considered an active form of protection. Most fire extinguishers release a dry chemical foam or powder which can be used to smother a flame.

Passive Fire Protection

When comparing examples of active and passive fire protection, it’s beneficial to first understand the definition of passive protection. Passive Fire Protection, or PFP, is an umbrella term for systems and tools within a building that don’t need to be activated or manually operated. The primary objective of passive fire protection is to compartmentalise and stop a fire from spreading throughout a building. The most common forms of PFP include:

Fire Doors

Fire doors are specialist doors that have been designed to withstand fires for as long as possible. For example, if a fire door is closed in a room with a fire, it will prevent the fire from spreading outside of the room before fire services arrive. The doors don’t need to be ‘activated’ as such to work, which is why they are considered passive protection.

Fire Compartmentation

Similarly, as fire compartmentation is related to the design of a building, it is a passive rather than active form of protection. Fire compartmentation is the division of a property into small sections or units to stop a fire from consuming an entire building. Each section or containment is complete with fire doors or cavity barriers, for example, to prevent or slow the progression of fire or smoke.

Intumescent Paint

When intumescent paint is exposed to high levels of heat, such as the heat caused by a fire, it swells and chars. As the paint grows in thickness and produces a char, it becomes an insulating layer of protection and protects the structures underneath it. This can play a pivotal role in ensuring the building remains upright as it can effectively protect load bearing struts.

How Active and Passive Fire Protection Work Together to Maximise Safety

While it is useful to learn the difference between passive and active fire protection, it is important to understand that both types of protection work together in unison. Both active and passive fire systems are designed to work together, help save lives and protect a building.

Active protection systems are usually designed to put a fire out, whereas passive systems support the active measures put in place by limiting the spread of a fire. When one system faults, the other system is in place to manage the fire.

For example, if a sprinkler system fails to start due to frozen pipes or a wiring fault, a fire door will stop the fire from spreading whilst emergency services are on their way. Similarly, if a fire door isn’t shut properly, a fire extinguisher can be used to stop a fire from reaching a doorway.

Contact Ark Fire Protection

It is not only important to have both active and passive fire protection in place, but it is also essential to ensure all fire systems are correctly installed and maintained. For more information on what is the difference between active and passive fire protection, or to have your passive fire protection systems installed, contact Ark Fire Protection today.