This is a very common question amongst designers and specifiers. Essentially, integrity refers to the ability to prevent the passage of fire, including flames and flammable gases. Integrity is recognised by using the letter ‘E’.

With insulation, like integrity, this prevents the passage of fire including flames and flammable gases, however it also protects against heat. Insulation is recognised by using the letter ’I’.

Within our Fire Screen range, this explains why our Defence EI systems achieve a fire rating from 30-120 minutes, whilst our Defence E systems achieve a fire rating from 30-60 minutes. You can read more about our fire rated system offering here.

The heights and parameters of fire rated systems will vary depending on their type. Below we have outlined Komfort’s fire rated systems.

E Fire Screens

• Frame height up to 4000mm
• Frame depth up to 50mm

Read more.

EI Fire Screens

• Frame height up to 4500mm
• Frame depth up to 110mm

Read more.

Fire rated partitioning (framed)

• Heights up to 3000mm

Read more.

Fire rated partitioning (frameless)

• Heights up to 2800mm

Read more.

Escape routes are a key consideration for any design. They need to be suitably located, sufficient in number and ensure they are protected and adequately lit.

In relation to fire rated partitioning, screens and doors, your design will depend on the level of fire safety you require – for example, if you only have 1 escape route, you may need 2 hours of fire protection, whereas if you have 2, you may only need 30 mins or an hour.

It is also important to mention that different sectors have different safe fire escape distances, along with how many fire exits there are from the building. Read document B for more details on this.

It is important to know that differing fire ratings will reduce the performance of the neighbouring higher performing system. So for example, if you had EI 30 doors in EI 60 screens, the level of protection of the system as a whole (with both the door and screen) will be reduced.

Much like fire rated partitioning, fire rated doors (both timber and glazed) are tested in a large furnace at a UKAS accredited laboratory in accordance with the certification. Each test follows the prescribed conditions of the desired test standard.

It is important to note that fire ratings for glazed doors and timber doors are different. For example, timber fire doors performance is noted as ‘FD30′, whilst glazed fire doors are noted as ’30/0’.

Sign up for our ‘Fire Rated Systems and Safety for a Commercial Space’ RIBA CPD for more information and interactive videos demonstrating the testing process of partitioning, screens and doors.

High performance fire rated systems are often used in corridors, along escape routes, staircases, common areas and high traffic areas for example. This is to ensure the safest possible evacuation from the building, and ease of entrance for fire fighters.

It is also important to consider that different locations will have different safety requirements. For example, Approved Document B Volume 1 refers to dwellings, whereas volume 2 refers to commercial buildings and more. You can read Document B here.