Fire-rated ductwork

The ‘Blue book’ of the Association for Fire Protection is now listed as a reference document in Approved Document B 2006 Volumes 1 and 2 as the guidance to UK Building Regulations for fire safety. The guide deals with fire-resisting ductwork and joins the association’s ‘Yellow book’, which deals with passive fire protection for structural steel, as a reference document. The ‘Blue book’ is designed to assist readers in understanding the essential details for ensuring that fire-resisting ductwork is correctly designed and installed. It does not cover systems that are not fire rated nor ducts containing water pipes and cables. The latest edition separates ductwork used for mechanical ventilation, ductwork for smoke extraction systems and ductwork for kitchen extract systems. For the first time, it includes data sheets on fire-resisting ductwork systems, all of which have been suitably fire tested and assessed by UKAS-approved test laboratories, as well as reviewed by the ASFP technical review panel. This section is expected to expand, and the E-version will be updated accordingly.

Related links:

• www.thefpa.co.uk

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