> Fire Stopping Compartmentation Systems

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> Fire Stopping Product

For more information about each range of Astroflame Fire Stop Poduct click any of the links seen in the image below or check out key & product information area.

For more information about each range of Astroflame Fire Stop Poduct click any of the links seen below in the key & product information area.

> How Does a Fire Develop

How a fire develops is totally dependent on how it is controlled. In most of our everyday lives we see fire as an effective tool that we cook with a gas hob or BBQ, to keep us warm through gas central heating or a log fire in the hearth, or to burn unwanted garden waste in a bonfire.

The key word here is 'controlled', it is only when a fire develops into an 'uncontrolled' state that we have an issue! This is of specific relevance when considering the diversity of building types that go to make up, what is often describe as the 'built environment'. For example, offices, factories, schools, hospitals, care homes, hotels etc.

A fire will start when the source of ignition (something very hot) is in contact with something ignitable (something readily combustible). Because a material is combustible does not mean it will always ignite easily, however if exposed to a sustained source of heat for any length of time e.g. waste paper bin on fire, such combustible material may eventually ignite. Once alight, extra heat is produced which in turn may cause other items to ignite and burn. So, the fire can grow very quickly, and this speed of growth is enhanced by being in a room or compartmented area which can contain the heat.

> The 5 Stages of Fire

Typically fire development within a 'contained' environment, for example a classroom within a school, may be broken down into at least five distinct stages i.e.

• Ignition (something defined as incipient)
• Growth
• Flashover – add in as a stage or an event
• Fully Developed
• Decay

Stage one - Ignition

As identified in the fire triangle, this first stage is brought about when heat, oxygen and a fuel source combined to achieve a chemical reaction resulting in fire, for example an electrical appliance catching fire, or a lighted cigarette carelessly discarded in a wastepaper bin. At this stage a very small fire, generating little heat, which may well go out of its own accord, or spotted and quickly extinguishing using for example a fire extinguisher before the next stage is reached.

Stage two - Growth

The growth stage is where other elements that make up the compartment, such as the furnishings, other contents, and wall coverings, often defined as the ‘fire load’ start to burn. The factors that may influence this growth stage are many and varied, and might include but by no means be limited to:

• The dimensions of the compartment; it should be remembered that here we are considering a fire in a confined space (a room), if the same fire occurred in the open air as e.g. in a garden bonfire, it would be mostly harmless.
• The flammability of its content, for example a factory producing plastics or solvent paint, and the progressive development of a hot smoke layer at ceiling level, or the degree of oxygen ingress via doors and windows etc.

At this point, and without intervention via for example, an appropriate water suppression system, the fire is likely to reach 'flashover'.

Stage three - Flashover

As the fire grows, a hot smoke layer at the ceiling of the room grows in depth, effectively trapped by the walls of the compartment. The radiated heat from this layer rapidly heats the surface of those combustible materials directly exposed in the room, causing them to emit flammable gases. When the temperatures of the evolved gases become high enough, these gases will ignite throughout the smoke layer. This almost instantaneous event known as flashover and is characterised by a very rapid rise in temperature and the involvement of all combustible materials in the room.

Stage four - Fully Developed

At this stage, the fire growth has reached its max capacity with all combustible materials is now ignited, and the focus now shifts to containing the fire within the compartment of origin by means of effective passive fire protection measures as well as firefighting from outside of the compartment in question.

Stage five - Decay

Likely to be the longest stage of a fire, governed by the decrease in oxygen or fuel within the compartment and the mean of access to extinguish the fire by the fire services.

Furthermore, there is also a risk of the fire recurring where oxygen is reintroduced to such a volatile, confined space or where non-flaming combustibles within the compartment are ignited to start a new fire, if not fully extinguished.

Understanding this process is essential when considering the required means of evacuation in the event of a fire. For some building types, evacuation may be a relatively straightforward process, based on an occupancy that is very familiar with its environment and undergoes regular fire drill training, for example as might be the case in an office building or a school. Other environments may be much more complex to consider, for example flats, hospitals, and care homes where a 'stay put' policy may be required practice. In such situation, in the event of a fire alarm, people will be instructed to stay in their flat or ward until and unless requested to move to another part of the building or be fully evacuated.

Other building types may pose significant risk to the surrounding environment, such as a petrochemical plant or nuclear power station, whilst others will have very specific requirements such a detention centre or prison.

> Key & Product Information

Astroflame sell a range of fire stopping products for more information on each fire product click any of the buttons or images seen below.

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