21/07/2026
🔥 FIRE SAFETY NEWS
Protecting Our People, Property & Business Through Better Fire Risk Management
This Month's Topic: Fire Divisions & Building Combustibility
Why It Matters
Did you know that a small fire can become a major property loss simply because it spreads unchecked through a building?
Effective fire divisions and non-combustible construction are among the most important passive fire protection measures. They work continuously—24 hours a day—even before sprinklers activate or firefighters arrive.
Our Goal: Stop fire where it starts.
🧱 Feature Article
Fire Divisions – The First Line of Defence
A fire division is a fire-resistant separation designed to contain a fire within a specific area of a building or site.
Fire divisions may be created by:
✔ Fire-rated walls
✔ Fire barriers
✔ Separation distances between buildings
✔ Open spaces between combustible storage areas
When properly maintained, fire divisions slow the spread of fire, giving occupants more time to evacuate and emergency responders more time to control the incident.
🔍 Inspection Focus
During inspections, ask yourself:
□ Are fire walls intact and undamaged?
□ Have all cable and pipe pe*******ons been sealed with approved fire-stopping materials?
□ Do fire doors close automatically?
□ Are fire doors unobstructed?
□ Are fire shutters operational?
□ Are separation distances between buildings free from combustible storage?
□ Are fixed fire protection systems operational?
□ Is emergency access available for the fire brigade?
💡 Safety Tip
Never wedge a fire door open.
A fire door only protects lives and property when it is able to close completely during a fire.
One blocked fire door can allow smoke and flames to spread throughout an entire building.
🚧 Risk Improvement Corner
Improve Fire Divisions by:
✅ Inspecting all fire walls for damage or unsealed pe*******ons.
✅ Installing approved fire-stopping around all services.
✅ Upgrading older fusible-link fire doors to smoke detector-operated magnetic release systems.
✅ Maintaining fire doors and shutters through scheduled inspections.
✅ Keeping combustible materials away from fire walls and building separation zones.
🏗 Building Combustibility
Is Your Building Helping or Hindering Fire Safety?
Some construction materials fuel fire rather than resist it.
Combustible materials can allow flames to spread rapidly, increasing damage and downtime.
Examples Include
• Timber
• Plastics
• Rubber
• Textiles
• Adhesives
• Bitumen products
• Expanded polystyrene insulation
What Good Looks Like
The safest buildings incorporate:
✔ Fire-resistant construction (2-hour fire rating or greater)
✔ Non-combustible structural materials
✔ Mineral wool or glass fibre insulation
✔ Fire-resistant cladding systems
✔ Regular inspections and preventative maintenance
🔥 Did You Know?
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation can contribute to rapid fire growth and produce large amounts of dense smoke.
Replacing EPS with mineral wool insulation significantly improves fire performance.
🛠 Risk Improvement Actions
Consider These Improvements
• Replace combustible insulated panels with non-combustible alternatives.
• Replace combustible spray foam insulation where practical.
• Inspect cladding and insulation for damage.
• Apply approved fire-resistant coatings to timber where replacement is not feasible.
• Ensure all renovations comply with current fire safety standards.
⚠ Fire Safety Spotlight
Small Defects Can Lead to Major Losses
A single unsealed cable pe*******on...
A damaged fire door...
Combustible storage against a fire wall...
These seemingly minor issues can allow fire to spread rapidly beyond its point of origin.
Regular inspections and prompt corrective action are essential.
📋 Monthly Self-Inspection Checklist
Before the end of this month, verify that:
☐ Fire doors close and latch properly.
☐ Fire walls have no unsealed pe*******ons.
☐ Fire extinguishers remain accessible.
☐ Exit routes are clear.
☐ Combustible materials are stored safely.
☐ Fire barriers have not been damaged during maintenance work.
☐ Housekeeping standards are maintained.
☐ Fire protection systems are fully operational.
💬 Safety Message of the Month
"Fire prevention starts with awareness, but fire containment starts with design, maintenance, and discipline."
Every sealed pe*******on, every functioning fire door, and every housekeeping inspection strengthens our ability to protect lives, safeguard property, and ensure business continuity.
Remember
Prevent the spread. Protect what matters. Safety is everyone's responsibility.
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