Q. What is Passive Fire Protection?

Passive fire protection is defined as any fire protection system that, by its nature, plays an inactive role in protecting personnel and property from damage by fire. Passive fire protection is generically referred to as structural fire protection, particularly in governmental regulations, and includes firewalls. Passive protection does not, in and of itself, provide inherent protection and is normally effective only for a limited time period. Once passive fire protection is exhausted, the protected structure is vulnerable to damage by fire. Examples of where passive fire protection is commonly used are: critical structural steel, buildings, critical pressure vessels, etc.

Fireproof materials, coatings and cladding are sometimes used to prevent or slow the spread of fire, and to limit the potential damage to equipment and structures.