Filo seal | Fire Containment | Kildare

about Us

Safeguarding Lives | Experts

Since 2016, we have passionately dedicated ourselves to enhancing safety through the supply and installation of passive fire protection for the construction industry. Our visionary founder, Alan Byrne, established Fire Containment Limited with a profound mission: Passive Fire Prevention. In 2018, Inge Mulligan joined our ranks, bringing her expertise as a current director, fueling our collective ambition.

Fire Containment has blossomed into a dynamic team of over 70 trained and skilled professionals, seamlessly integrating procurement, administration, operations, and site personnel to elevate industry standards.

In 2023, we proudly launched our second office, “Passive Fire Containment,” based in the UK, to meet the rising demand for transformative Passive Fire Protection Services. No project is too small or too large; every effort contributes to a safer future.

construction industry at its best

Cutting-Edge | Performance

The construction industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving sector, which is one of the many factors that makes it such an exciting field to be in. We understand that staying ahead of the curve is crucial to providing the best possible fire safety solutions. 

Continious Improvement in technolgy

Advancement | Fire Protection

Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures that the services and products we offer are always at the forefront of fire protection technology. We regularly invest in research and development, staying abreast of the latest advancements in passive fire protection. This dedication allows us to offer our clients the highest performance solutions possible, often exceeding industry standards.

Team of experts

Safety & Innovation | Fire Prevention

By choosing Fire Containment Limited, you’re not just getting a service provider; you’re partnering with a team of passionate experts who are committed to safeguarding lives and property through state-of-the-art fire protection. Let us help you turn your building project into a beacon of safety and innovation in the Irish construction landscape. 

Testimonials

Fire Containment Ltd were appointed to carry out the fire sealing contract on a 6 floor refurbishment of the Beacon Hospital. We found them to be highly motivated and professional in their approach to the project. Their handover and tracking procedures were very impressive.

James Cronin Stewart Construction

Fire Containment Ltd were appointed to carry out the fire sealing contract on numerous projects for Kilcawley Construction, the latest being our IDA Advance Technology Building’s in Dundalk & Carlow. Fire Containment are a pleasure to work with. Their work is of the highest quality and always on programme. Their tracking & reporting system also deserves a mention – it’s brilliant. The staff are always very professional and efficient when responding to queries or additional requests.

Paul Healy Kilcawley Construction

Critical Components of Passive Fire Protection

Passive fire protection constitutes a critical component of structural fire safety, functioning as a barrier or shield to impede the propagation of fire between distinct areas. In contrast to active fire protection systems, such as sprinklers, alarms, extinguishers, and hoses, which engage upon fire detection, passive fire protection measures remain inert yet continuously effective.

The passive fire protection category encompasses a diverse array of systems, including but not limited to floor-ceiling assemblies, roof structures, fire-rated doors and windows, wall assemblies, fire-resistant coatings, and various fire and smoke control mechanisms. It is noteworthy that while primarily passive in nature, these systems may incorporate active elements, such as fire dampers, to enhance their efficacy in fire containment and suppression.

In the context of construction, it is imperative that structures—whether composed of steel, concrete, or timber—are engineered to achieve requisite standards of fire resistance. Fire Containment Limited collaborates closely with project engineers to ensure the implementation of comprehensive fire protection strategies.

Best Practices

For fire-resistant doors, it is essential to ensure compliance with industry standards. The door and its frame must be fitted as a complete unit and tested according to BS 476: Parts 22 and 31 or IS EN 1634 Parts 1 and 3. When required, the door or frame should be equipped with an intumescent strip and cold smoke seal on all four sides to enhance its fire-resistant properties.

A fire door is a crucial component of passive fire protection systems, designed to reduce the spread of fire and smoke between separate compartments of a structure and facilitate safe egress. These doors are characterized by their fire-resistance rating, also known as a fire protection rating for closures. In North American building codes, fire doors, along with fire dampers, are often referred to as “closures.” These can be derated compared to the fire separation that contains them, provided the barrier is not a firewall or an occupancy separation.

In Europe, national standards for fire doors have been harmonized with the introduction of EN 16034, which refers to fire doors as “fire-resisting door sets.” As of September 2016, a common CE marking procedure was implemented, eliminating trade barriers within the European Union for these products. In the United Kingdom, Part B of the Building Regulations outlines the minimum requirements for fire protection in all dwellings, including the use of fire doors.

To fully comply with fire regulations, all fire doors must be installed with appropriate fire-resistant fittings, including the frame and door hardware. This comprehensive approach ensures maximum effectiveness in fire containment and life safety measures.

Cutting-Edge Advancements

Intumescent paints represent the most lightweight form of passive fire protection available in the construction industry. When exposed to heat, these coatings undergo a rapid transformation through sublimation, expanding up to 100 times their original thickness to form a stable, carbonaceous char. This innovative technology is designed to significantly enhance the structural integrity of buildings, providing up to 120 minutes of additional protection in the event of a fire.

Sherwin Williams’ Firetex FX6002 and FX2003 products exemplify the cutting-edge advancements in intumescent coating technology. These patented formulations offer unparalleled drying speed, an extended range of approved fire scenarios, and up to 20 years of exterior durability. This combination of features supports design flexibility and allows for creative exposure of structural steel surfaces in modern building design.

Superior Durability and Efficiency

The ultra-fast curing properties of these coatings eliminate drying bottlenecks in paint shops and ensure rapid weather resistance for site-applied materials. This efficiency translates to remarkable time savings in the construction process. For instance, a 120-minute fire-rated hollow section can be painted, cured, dry film thickness (DFT) checked, and top-coated within a single work shift.

Furthermore, these coatings are engineered with excellent mechanical durability, significantly reducing or eliminating damage during transport and erection. Once the appropriate coating system has been applied, the treated steel exhibits enhanced resistance to the typical wear and tear encountered on busy, congested construction sites.

Frequently asked Questions

What is passive fire protection?

Passive fire protection systems and services are built into a building that aims to compartmentalise and restrict the ability of a fire to spread. These services block any given room that is exposed to fire from the rest of the building ensuring that it does not spread to any more rooms, allowing ample time for evacuation plans to be carried out and for first responders to arrive at the scene. 

What is the difference between passive and active fire protection?
  • Passive fire protection requires no human intervention or additional energy. Passive fire protection works more as a barrier to fires, than a way of putting them out.  
  • Active fire protection entails measures taken to extinguish the fire, like fire fighters eliminating a fire. 
How do fire doors work?

Fire doors act as a barrier between rooms to help prevent the spread of fires and smoke. See more about them here…  

How does Intumescent work?

Intumescent sealant is placed around fire doors and pipesWhen exposed to high temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius, it expands and isolates the fire from spreading. A similar process happens with intumescent paint. 

What is structural fire protection?

It is passive fire protection that is built into a building, like intumescent pipes and fire batts. These services help prevent the spread of fire. 

What are the passive fire protection services?

It entails different products, like intumescent pipes, fire doors, fire batt and more. See blog.. 

Why is passive fire protection important?

Passive fire protection can be the first line of defence against a fire in your home or business. It helps to compartmentalise and delay the spread of a fire so that its potential devastating impacts are reduced significantly.