The Association seeks to increase awareness and understanding of the nature of fire, the various forms of passive fire protection, their function and the benefits that they provide. Its members are fully committed to sustaining and improving, through performance, their recognised position in the construction industry.

ASFP Committees deal with Technical, Business Development, Health & Safety, Contracting and European Harmonisation matters. Other specialist working groups control generic material group matters, ensuring that the interests of all sectors of the industry are fully represented in the forum of the Association. The ASFP is a founder member of the European Association of Passive Fire Protection (EAPFP) and the U.K. based Passive Fire Protection Federation (PFPF).

PUBLICATIONS

The Association produces various informative publications including the well established 'Fire Protection For Structural Steel In Buildings' (known as the 'Yellow Book'). It is considered to be the ?bible' of passive fire protection for steel. The comprehensive and authoritative document explains the technical requirements for the fire protection of structural steel and is included as a reference document in the UK Building Regulations, Approved Document B. A new edition of this document has recently been published and is available as a free download (as are all ASFP publications) from the ASFP website (www.asfp.org.uk), alternatively hard copies may be purchased from the Farnham office.

Section one of the publication deals with aspects of fire protection, including protection methods and fire testing, the section factor concept, including A/V values, and the implications of BS 5950, Part 1. Section two contains a brief introduction to fire safety engineering with specific reference and recommendations for the protection of composite beams. Section three provides details of fire resistance tests and assessment procedures using UK methods and Section four gives details of assessment methodology based upon the new European procedures. Section five introduces the material data sheets and provides application advice on the use of the individual data sheets for passive materials, such as spray coatings, boards, lined steel sheet casings and intumescent coatings. Section six, which is liberally illustrated, contains the material data sheets from which a specifier can obtain authoritative information on required thicknesses and range of applications.

Each data sheet provides a product description, information on the manufacturer, availability, protection and application technique, steel preparation requirements, additional mechanical fixing or reinforcement, nominal density, thickness and fire resistance (together with constraints), appearance, on-site use, durability, performance in other BS fire tests and other applications, etc.

'Fire Stopping & Penetration Seals for the construction industry' (The Red Book), describes application, performance, installation, maintenance, inspection and repair of mortars, mastics, foams, composites, boards, mineral wool slabs, bags and other products. A new edition of this publication listing members' products will be available very shortly.

'Fire protection of timber floors' (The Green Book), details the use, stress grading and behaviour of timber in fire. Fire tests, reaction, the influence of moisture content and the procedures for new joisted floors, or the upgrading of existing constructions is included, together with appraisal principles and verdicts for physical aspects of timber floors, Quality Assurance and good practice. Copies are available at £10.00 each.

'Fire rated and smoke extract ductwork' (The Blue Book) contains details and recommendations not previously covered in other standards or Codes of Practice. The publication includes sections on the different types of systems available and their functions, information on all relevant legislation, standards, Codes of Practice and notes on penetration seals and support systems. It has been specifically designed to be of assistance in understanding many of the essential details that play a significant part in ensuring that ductwork is correctly designed and installed. Copies are available at £10.00 each.

'Ensuring Best Practice for Passive Fire Protection in Buildings'. This document is the result of a Department of Trade and Industry sponsored Partners in Innovation programme which highlighted badly installed or inadequate passive fire protection in the UK's buildings. This Guidance is intended to offer architects, designers, constructors, building occupiers and others, effective and feasible recommendations and selection criteria for the use of Passive Copies are available at £25.00 each.

'Fire Rated Non-Loadbearing Partitions (The Purple Book), is a definitive guide to the provision of proprietary materials and systems used to provide fire rated partitions. It gives guidance on the safe provision of fire resistance with regard to the design, construction and maintenance of fire rated partitions in buildings. Copies are available at £10.00 each.

ASFP Technical Guidance Notes cover 'Spray coatings for fire protection of concrete floors'; 'Spray coatings for fire protection of structural steel'; 'On-site measurement of intumescent coatings' and 'Fire protection of roof components and secondary steelwork of portal framed buildings'.

SERVICES

The Association employs a full time Technical Consultant to provide advice, assistance and specialist knowledge to assist specifiers and main contractors, both in the U.K. and overseas, in identifying products suitable for specific passive fire protection requirements.

Publications and a current Directory of Members are available from: The ASFP, Association House, 99 West Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7EN Tel: 01252 739142. Fax: 01252 739140. Email: info@asfp.org.uk Web site: www.asfp.org.uk

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