Glossary
Definitions
Passive Fire Protection
Definition
Products and systems built into the structure of a building that prevent the spread of fire and smoke and also maintain the structural adequacy of the building. They do not require external power or water to operate. Examples include structural steel protection, fire stopping and the construction of fire and smoke compartments.
Intumescent
Definition
A product that swells up when heated, thus protecting the material underneath or sealing a gap in the event of a fire.
Fire Stopping
Definition
Where services pass through a fire rated element (fire rated slab, partition wall etc) this represent a weak point in that element. The act of installing a passive fire system using tested products into that penetration is known as fire stopping.
Fire Resistance Level (FRL)
Definition
A measure obtained by a fire rated system when it is tested to AS1530.4. This measure is expressed in 30 minute increments for 3 criteria, namely Structural Adequacy, Fire Integrity and Insulation. E.g. 120/120/120 representing 120 minutes for all 3 criteria.
Essential Services
Definition
Essential services are in essence any installations done to a building in order to improve its safety. They assist in reducing risk to life and property in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or any other accident. They include exit lighting, paths of egress, firefighting equipment and many others. They must be maintained to AS 1851 on a regular basis.
Compartmentation
Definition
The division of buildings into smaller fire and smoke resistant rooms, zones, cells or compartments. By dividing the building up if a fire starts in one compartment its spread is restricted to one or a few fire compartments rather than the entire building.