Over the years its good to see that smoke tests and passive fire projects have been carried out across many councils.
Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) Brent Housing Partnership is responsible for managing and maintaining 12,150 of Brent Council’s housing stock plus 300 of its own properties.
BHP has launched a life saving smoke test report, which provides evidence of the benefits of passive fire protection in high-rise housing blocks. They are committed to highlighting the results of their report to other housing providers to stress the necessity of having these measures in place in order to save lives.
They carried out real life smoke testing exercises, these where carried out by BHP’s Fire Safety Team in a derelict high rise block that was scheduled for demolition.
These tests ensured that the fire safety measures being put in place across BHP managed properties can stand the effects of a real fire and can keep residents safe.
People are more likely to be injured or killed by smoke in the event of a fire then fire itself.
Test like these are so important to the industry to help analyze the potential spread of smoke within high-rise blocks and to study the effectiveness of passive fire protection.
Passive fire protection is the primary measure integrated within the constructional fabric of a building to provide inherent fire safety and protection by responding against flame, heat and smoke to maintain the fundamental requirements of building compartmentation, structural stability, fire separation and safe means of escape.
BHP used an empty high rise blocks due to be demolished as part of the London Borough of Brent’s regeneration of the South Kilburn area. An 18 -storey high rise tower block, the construction type is a bison block made of reinforced preformed concrete panels. The block consists of one hundred and sixty seven flats and two enclosed staircases. The smoke testing exercise is part of BHP’s £8million fire safety programme across high rise blocks in Brent which includes major upgrades to passive fire protection.
The Results
The tests carried out gave a unique opportunity for BHP and the fire safety industry as a whole to really demonstrate the benefits of passive fire protection.
They proved that large volumes of smoke can spread rapidly within a very short time within unprotected areas. In contrast where passive fire protection is in place the smoke was fully contained and did not allow any movement, which is essential to for life safety in a real life fire. The tests have also allowed BHP to highlight the importance of passive fire protection and the risks of not having these measures in place.
Passive Fire Products Blog looks to raise awareness where possible and also deliver suitable solutions. If you require consultation or product advice on the any of the above issues please get in touch with us today.
