New Rules Force Building Owners to Ensure Passive Fire Protection

The UK market for passive fire protection products has rebounded from a pandemic-induced decline in 2020, with value sales rising around 7% in 2022.

The passive fire protection market is made up of several sectors. Fire doors, fittings, seals and strips are the largest in the market by some distance, holding a share of 55% of total market value in 2022, ahead of fire structural products with just 13%.

Regulations heavily influence the passive fire protection market.  New rules and regulations have been introduced in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, aimed at improving fire safety procedures in buildings such as high-rise multi-occupancy dwellings.

Some of the more significant developments resulting from new legislation includes increased checking of fire doors in multi-occupancy residential buildings over 11 metres in height and establishing a responsible person to oversee and manage fire risks in buildings.

During the period 2022-2027, annual growth rates are forecast to average around 4-5% and market value is anticipated to increase by almost 25% when compared with 2022.

The majority of the growth occurring within the next few years is likely to result from the recent regulatory changes in both residential and non-residential buildings, as replacement of unfit or malfunctioning units and equipment is becoming a greater priority due to building owners facing stiffer penalties if they fail to meet fire safety obligations.

Editor of the Passive Fire Protection Market and Research Manager at Barbour ABI, Anne Williams comments on the market. 

“forecast growth within the new work sector between 2021 – 2026 will boost construction activity in sectors such as infrastructure (e.g., road and rail, networks, renewable energy) and industrial (e.g., warehouses).  Overall, the outlook for passive fire protection looks encouraging with forecasts showing a steady upward industry trend throughout 2022 -2027.”