The Importance of Fire-Rated Ducting

When designing and constructing buildings, fire safety is of paramount importance. From fire doors to fire escapes, passive and active fire safety measures are vital to saving lives and safeguarding property. One such installation that is vital in property fire safety is fire-rated ducting. Fire-rated ducting plays a crucial role in the safety and protection of your property and its occupants. But why is fire-rated ducting so important? In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about fire-rated ducting. From what it is and how we can help to discussing the importance of fire-rated ducting, we’ll cover everything you need to know about these vital life-saving installations. Established over 20 years ago, we at SEWS Ductwork are widely acknowledged as being specialists in fire-rated ductwork across Essex and Kent by many mechanical, electrical, and construction companies. As one of the leading ductwork installation companies in the industry, we offer high-quality services from our centrally located warehouse and manufacturing plant. Here, we design, manufacture, and install ductwork, junctions and sheet metal components to an extremely high standard. Get in touch with SEWS Ductwork Ltd today for a FREE, no-obligation quote.

What is ductwork?

Ductwork comprises parts of a ventilation system, along with fans and blowers which are used to effectively transport contaminated indoor air out of a building and to bring in clean air from outside. As experts in ductwork in Essex and Kent, we have a substantial and fully comprehensive portfolio of projects which include works on the prestigious Wembley Stadium (Bobby Moore Lounge infill). Our bespoke ventilation systems can be completely tailormade to your requirements, meaning that every single aspect will be designed to your specifications for maximum efficiency and optimisation. Our specialist plant houses the latest high-performing machinery and equipment to meet your needs, with plasma cutting and coil line facilities to produce orders as and when they are needed. Every member of our team is committed to your satisfaction and aims to complete every job on time and within the agreed budget, in most cases, we’re even able to deliver orders within 48 hours.

What is fire-rated ducting?

Fire-rated ducting works similarly to normal ductwork; however, it has been specially designed and rested to resist fire and prevent its spread through ventilation systems. Fire-rated ducting is vital in maintaining the structure of fire compartments within buildings, ensuring that fire and smoke do not spread from one area to another through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Here at SEWS Ductwork, we provide high-quality fire-rated ducting installations from Firemac. Firemac was established in 1989 and has grown to become a major provider of passive fire protection products, both in the UK and internationally. Firemac’s market-leading product range for ductwork, Firemac FM Fire Duct systems, has a proven track record in major builds in the UK, the Middle East, Africa, India and Asia. Firemac FM Fabric PSA is a specialist fire protection glass fibre fabric that is bonded and mechanically fixed to the outer face of galvanised or stainless steel ductwork. Typical applications include Ventilation, Smoke Extract, Pressurisation and Kitchen Extract Ductwork. Firemac FM Fire Duct systems have been tested and assessed to BS476: Part 24: 1987 and EN 1366 Part 1&8 and demonstrated fire resistance of up to four hours for both Duct Types A and B. In 2018 Firemac’s FM Fabric PSA was awarded the Queen's Award for Innovation, an award widely regarded as the most prestigious business award in the country. SEWS Ductwork can manufacture, deliver to the site and install all fire-rated ducts to your specifications. Our fire-rated ductwork is constructed using materials and methods that can withstand high temperatures and direct exposure to fire for a specified period, typically 60, 120, or 240 minutes. Get in touch with us today for more information about our fire-rated ducting.

What are UK regulations for fire-rated ducting?

In the UK, fire-rated ducting must comply with strict building regulations and standards to ensure safety and performance. Key UK regulations for fire-rated ducting include:

Building Regulations Part B This regulation outlines fire safety requirements, including the need for fire-resistant ductwork in certain areas of a building.

BS476: Part 24: 1987 This standard specifies the test method for fire resistance of ventilation ducts, assessing their ability to withstand fire and prevent its spread.

EN 1366 Parts 1 & 8 These European standards provide detailed test methods for fire resistance of service installations, including ductwork systems. Ensuring that your property complies with these regulations means that your ductwork systems can effectively contain and resist fire, contributing to the overall safety of the building. For more information about our fire-rated ductwork installations, get in touch with SEWS Ductwork today.

The Importance of Fire-Rated Ducting

When it comes to fire-rated ducting, its importance cannot be overstated. Here at SEWS Ductwork, we have seen our clients enjoy the advantages of their ducting first-hand. Here are some of the benefits of fire-rated ducting, highlighting its unique importance in many environments…

Unparalleled Protection Our fire-rated ducting is a leading passive fire protection product, designed to provide total protection to your premises and building occupants. In the event of a fire, such installations are vital for maintaining the structure of fire compartments within buildings, ensuring that fire and smoke do not spread from one area to another through the HVAC systems.

Life-Saving Installations As a passive fire protection system, fire-rated ducting is a crucial and necessary line of defence for many buildings. Fire-rated ducting stops fire and smoke from spreading to ensure that everyone can leave the building safely. This compartmentation can be vital to providing occupants with a safe means of escape if a fire occurs.

Durability Our fire-rated ducting is manufactured by Firemac, a major provider of passive fire protection products, both in the UK and internationally. This means that all products have undergone rigorous testing to ensure that they can maintain their structural integrity over time, even in the event of a fire.

Insurance Requirements Many insurance providers require fire-rated ducting to be installed, maintained and serviced as a condition for coverage. Failure to have fire-rated ducting installed and managed could mean that you will void your insurance coverage and won’t receive a payout in the event of a fire. Make sure that you are insured and safe with fire-rated ducting installation.

Peace of Mind Ultimately, fire-rated ducting is essential for providing building occupants with valuable peace of mind. Employees, visitors and building occupants will be assured of the sense of safety and security that has been fostered within the premises. Provide peace of mind by installing and maintaining high-quality fire-rated ducting. Ready to protect your premises and safeguard lives with fire-rated ducting? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with SEWS Ductwork today for your FREE quote for fire-rated ducting installation.

Ensure Your Premises’ Fire Safety with Fire-Rated Ducting…

When constructing a building or managing your responsibilities for fire safety, fire-rated ducting should never be overlooked. These installations play a vital role in preventing the spread of fire and smoke and ensure that you comply with stringent regulations and standards. Additionally, fire-rated ducting ensures enhanced safety, property protection and complete peace of mind that your premises and those on it are protected and safe. Here at SEWS Ductwork, we work with leading manufacturer Firemac, to offer industry-leading fire-rated ducting solutions, backed by years of expertise and a proven track record. Trust us to deliver the highest quality products and services to safeguard your building and its occupants. Get in touch with us to ensure your property is safe and protected in the event of a fire with high-quality fire-rated ductwork.

Fire-Rated Ductwork FAQs

As specialists in fire-rated ductwork for Essex and Kent, we at SEWS Ductwork are familiar with many commonly asked questions concerning our fire-rated ductwork systems. Fortunately, as specialists in our field, we are perfectly placed to provide you with the answers you need…

What standards do fire-rated ducts need to meet in the UK?

Fire-rated ducts must meet standards such as BS476: Part 24: 1987 and EN 1366 Parts 1 & 8.

How long can fire-rated ducting resist fire?

Our fire-rated ducting can resist fire for 60, 120, or 240 minutes, depending on its specifications.

What materials are used in fire-rated ducting?

Our fire-rated ducting is typically made from galvanised or stainless steel, often with a fire-protection glass fibre fabric like Firemac FM Fabric PSA.

Does SEWS Ductwork provide custom fire-rated ducting solutions?

Yes, we can manufacture, deliver, and install custom fire-rated ducting solutions to meet specific requirements.

How do I ensure my building complies with fire safety regulations?

Work with professionals like SEWS Ductwork who are knowledgeable about current regulations and standards. Get in touch with us today for more information about your responsibilities.

Where should a ventilation system be positioned?

We recommend that the ventilation unit itself should be placed in the centre of the area it is to serve.

How much does ductwork design, manufacture, and installation cost?

Ductwork design, manufacture and installation are influenced by many things, this too means that the cost will differ depending on your requirements. As such, there is no fixed price for ductwork services. Get in touch with SEWS Ductwork Ltd today for a FREE, no-obligation quote.

How do I know which ductwork system I need?

As a leading ductwork specialist, we at SEWS Ductwork Services Ltd can provide advice and recommendations that you can trust on which system will be best for your requirements.

How long does it take to install a system?

The average ductwork installation project takes about two or three days (about 8 to 10 hours per day). For a more accurate timescale, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with SEWS Ductwork Ltd today for more information.

Quality Ductwork Manufacturing Services

At SEWS Ductwork Services Ltd we can manufacture all your specific requirements i.e. single items like that missing square to round you may need or full construction issued drawings. We specialise in producing bespoke items, built to your exact specifications. We can manufacture almost any item and have done so for many of our customers. We have a long history of providing bespoke galvanised internally lined ventilation parts (i.e., air conditioning plenum boxes supply and return, and if need be filter section) to suit all fan coil sizes or air conditioning systems. We manufacture all types of grille boxes to order, to your exact specifications. Whether you need a standard or internally lined grille box, or even a grille box that requires 6mm hank bush support bars, we can cater to your needs. We also supply internally lined front and rear filter boxes, to suit all kinds of fan coil units regardless of spigot size, designed and manufactured to meet the needs of your drawing. We will also assist in the design if required.

Why Choose Us?

Over 20 Years of Experience We at SEWS Ductwork have over two decades of experience and are skilled in ductwork across Essex and Kent. We have gained a huge amount of experience during our time and many mechanical, electrical, and construction companies look to us as their preferred ductwork contractors.

Competitively Priced Whether you are an individual looking for a reliable ductwork specialist or require bespoke ventilation designed for your commercial property, you can rest assured that all of our tailor-made services are competitively priced. We always aim to deliver on time, and within budget.

48-Hour Delivery We are committed to completing all of our projects on time and in most cases, we can deliver all orders within 48 hours within reason. This means that there will be little disruption to your schedule, and you can rely on us to keep your project moving.

High Performing Machinery Our longevity means that we know what machinery and equipment produce the best and most high-quality results. Our factory is home to state-of-the-art machinery and equipment to deliver results that will exceed your expectations.