Active vs. Passive Fire Protection — Getting the Balance Right

A growing trend in designing fire protection systems is to base these systems on possible scenarios rather than basic code requirements. This approach provides a better balance of passive and active fire controls.

The article begins with a review of a number of current fire protection standards, both prescriptive and scenario-based. Issues in scenario selection are addressed — including how to define more-likely events and worst-case events. Several safety barriers that might be deployed in a fire protection system are evaluated, including isolation and blowdown systems, CCTV, bunds, and drainage systems.