Firetrace Ductwork issues reminder on ductwork installation responsibilities

Firetrace Ductwork Ltd is reminding organisations to consider their responsibilities and legal liability when specifying or installing fire rated ductwork.

As made clear in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, those involved in the provision of fire protection at any level are liable for its effectiveness in the event of a fire.  Those with responsibility for the specification of materials and/or the appointment of the contractor must ensure that they can prove competency for the fire protection materials used.  There have been recent examples of unscrupulous organisations failing to supply and install systems as originally tested and, in some cases, companies signing off installations without visiting the sites.  This is clearly unacceptable and there is a legal obligation to ensure that installed passive fire protection products, materials or systems are ‘fit for purpose’ and that the installer can demonstrate appropriate competency in the installation of the passive fire protection products, materials and systems used.

Another major issue in an increasing number of installations relates to the supports. The supports need to have the same level of fire resistance as the chosen ductwork system - but who should be making this calculation?  The ductwork contractor may not be qualified to select supports. If incorrectly selected, a type A fire (fire outside the duct) will cause the system to collapse and fire compartments will be breached, leading to a possible loss of life.  Supports should be identified early on in the system selection process. Firetrace Ductwork Ltd can help with this requirement and work on the correct selection.       

It is vital to ensure that fire rated ductwork is installed by a competent, properly trained installer and that constant surveillance is maintained throughout the installation. The will facilitate the awarding of a Certificate of Conformity and guard against potential issues surrounding liability.

 For more information and guidance on ductwork, visit: www.adcas.co.uk

21-11-2016