Did you know that it takes less than 30 seconds for a small flame to spread into a major fire?  One of the primary ways that fire spreads is through convection, an invisible force that carries heat through the air. 

As a fire rages, hot air rises, creating currents that transport flames and embers to new areas. Rather than travelling further upwards and into the air, however, the fire will spread outwards across the entire floor of the building and beyond.

Mitigating convection requires a multi-faceted approach focused on adequate compartmentation. As mandated by UK regulation, this passive fire protection method utilises fire doors, walls and floors to effectively hinder the upward movement of hot air and flames. 

To safeguard your building against convection;

• Ensure that buildings are divided into fire-resistant compartments. This will prevent the rapid spread of fire.
• Seal any gaps or openings in walls, floors, and ceilings to restrict the movement of hot air.
• Use fire dampers in ventilation systems to control the spread of fire through ductwork.
• Install fire doors with appropriate ratings. Fire doors are a crucial component of a building’s fire safety infrastructure. They’re designed to impede the movement of heat and flames between compartments. 

Radiation is another significant contributor to the spread of fire. This process transfers heat via electromagnetic waves in every direction until it reaches an object which absorbs it. As a result, fire spreads from building to building, in some cases igniting combustible materials nearby.

To mitigate radiation, it’s essential to focus on reducing the radiant heat exposure to vulnerable surfaces. This can be achieved by maintaining adequate distances between structures and ensuring proper insulation to protect against radiant heat transfer.

To safeguard your building against radiation;

• Ensure appropriate spacing between buildings. This will reduce the risk of radiant heat transmission.
• Use building materials with low combustibility to decrease the likelihood of ignition through radiant heat.
• Improve insulation to shield structures from radiant heat. This will reduce the risk of fire spread.
• Regularly maintain green spaces around buildings to prevent the buildup of materials that can contribute to radiant heat.

Finally, perhaps the most obvious way that fire spreads is through direct contact with combustible materials. In this scenario, intense heat can cause rapid ignition of nearby objects, including curtains, furniture or paper. Early detection, however, can provide critical time for occupants to evacuate safely before the fire intensifies.

Both active and passive fire protection methods play crucial roles in mitigating the impact of direct contact. When combined, these processes will alert occupants to the danger at hand, and reduce the speed of a fire’s spread.

To safeguard your building against direct contact;

• Use materials with high fire resistance in construction. This will minimise the impact of direct flame contact.
• Conduct routine inspections to identify and address potential fire hazards before they escalate.
• Ensure the presence of well-maintained firefighting equipment, such as extinguishers and sprinkler systems.
• Develop and regularly practise evacuation plans to ensure a swift and safe exit in the event of a fire.

In the UK, there are around 22,000 commercial building fires every year. These fires are often devastating, resulting in major property damage, the disruption of business operations and even a loss to occupant life. 

To limit the spread of fire, it’s important to go beyond the basics we’ve covered in this blog, and adopt an additional range of proactive fire protection measures. These may include; 

• Early Detection Systems – Focused on identifying and alerting occupants to potential fire hazards before they escalate.
• Emergency Lighting – To ensure visibility and safe evacuation routes during power outages caused by a fire.
• Staff Training – To educate building occupants on fire safety procedures and evacuation protocols.
• Compartmentation – By separating your building into distinct compartments, you can create a strategic barrier against the spread of fire. 

It’s a common misconception that fire spreads slowly, leaving plenty of room for escape. However, without the right precautions in place, fire can tear through a building in just minutes.

At BASSE Solutions, our fire protection contractors specialise in designing, installing and maintaining a range of tailored solutions to mitigate the risk of fire in your building. Focused on both active and passive fire protection, we’ll ensure that you have a robust fire safety protection plan in place to address the ways that fire spreads. 

To learn more about our fire safety protection services, contact our skilled team via email today. Safeguard your business, assets and, most importantly, the lives of those within your commercial spaces.

At BASSE, our core values drive our every action. We’re unwavering experts in our field, focused on seeking opportunities to expand our knowledge and experience. We’re open, to seek advice and guidance from our professional network of partners when needed, allowing us to cover all aspects of the built environment. Embracing simplicity, we break down complex tasks into understandable terms, fostering transparency. And we tailor our approach to each unique task and client, providing a bespoke service from cradle to grave.