Active vs. Passive Fire Protection Systems

Every building needs to have adequate fire protection in place to ensure the safety of the lives of employees and to maintain the integrity of business assets.

When people envision fire protection, they think of sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers. While these two pieces of protection are critical for fire safety, they don’t paint the whole picture of fire protection systems. They’re just one type—when really, there are two primary categories of fire protection systems. 

The two categories are known as “active” and “passive.” Learning the difference between active vs. passive fire protection is crucial for understanding why you cannot have one without the other in your building.

What is Active Fire Protection (AFP)?

An active fire protection system (AFP) requires an action to detect, respond to, contain, or suppress a fire. 

Many people falsely believe that only manual actions, such as dousing flames with a fire extinguisher, count as active fire protection. However, active fire protection systems merely require an action—whether manual or automated. 

AFP incorporates fire detection and fire suppression systems. 

Types of fire detection systems include:

• Heat detectors
• Smoke detectors 
• Flame detectors
• Fire alarm systems 

Types of fire suppression systems include:

• Sprinkler systems 
• Fire extinguishers
• Gas or chemical suppressant 

The proper mix of systems for your building depends on the size, industry, material type, as well as local and federal regulations.

Active fire protection kicks in once the occupants and/or automated fire alert systems become aware of a fire. This process allows people to evacuate the building safely until first responders arrive.

They are programmed to initiate a predetermined response to either smoke, flames, or heat. Those responses include turning on sprinklers, sounding an alarm, alerting the authorities, or automatically closing all fire doors. 

Active Fire Protection Examples

What are some examples of active fire protection measures?

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors use noise and light alarms to alert occupants of smoke, enabling an early evacuation and response to fires.

Sprinkler Systems

Sprinkler systems automatically activate when heat from a fire causes its mechanism to break, spraying water to suppress the fire.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are a manual form of active fire protection. A person must locate the extinguisher and spray the small fire with a substance that cools the burning item or deprives it of oxygen.

Fire Hydrants

Fire hydrants are a connection point for firefighters to access water to combat fires using their hoses and other professional equipment.

What is Passive Fire Protection (PFP)?

Passive fire protection systems protect a building against fire without needing a specific operational action. The key elements of passive fire protection systems are fire-resistant walls, heavy-duty fire doors, and fire-resistant glass. Other assets can sometimes be passively protected through spray-applied fireproofing.

These systems safeguard buildings by ensuring fires burn out quickly due to insufficient fuel. Passive fire protection measures like fire doors also play a crucial role in plotting a fire’s route through a building, giving fire crews a better chance of putting it out quickly, and people evacuating safely. 

Passive Fire Protection Examples

What are some examples of passive fire protection?

Fire Doors

Fire doors are specifically designed and built to slow the spread of fire between rooms or spaces of a building. They are self-closing, made of fire-resistant materials, and have seals that expand when exposed to heat, creating a tight barrier against flames and smoke.

Fire and Smoke Dampers

Fire and smoke dampers are installed in HVAC systems and ductwork to prevent fire and smoke from spreading through these pathways. They automatically close when triggered, sealing off sections of the building’s ducting to contain the fire and protect occupants.

Fire-Resistant Glass

Fire-resistant glass is often used in doors and windows and is engineered to maintain hold during a fire. It can withstand high temperatures for long periods and prevents the spread of flames and smoke while allowing some visibility for safe evacuation.

Photoluminescent Exit Lights

Photoluminescent exit lights are non-electrical safety signs that absorb and store energy from other light sources. During power failures or in smoke-filled rooms, they glow to provide a clear and bright guide toward the exit and escape routes.

Active vs. Passive Fire Protection Systems: Why You Need Both

What system is more important? Active vs. passive fire protection systems?

If the worst happens and a fire breaks out in your building, both the active and passive fire protection systems will activate. Active systems such as alarms, sprinklers, and manual firefighting will begin immediately after detection.

Passive protection systems will stop the fire’s spread and keep it contained to certain areas of the building, giving occupants more time to evacuate successfully and reducing the damage before emergency fire crews arrive.

This is why your building must have both active and passive fire systems in operation. There isn’t a debate about which system is better, as they perform different and equally important roles. What is more, if one system fails (frozen sprinkler pipes, for instance), a fire could spread uncontrollably without the help of its counterpart.

You should always ensure both types of fire protection are in place and maintained to adequately protect your building, your business, and, most importantly, your employees.

Protect Your Business from Fire Damage

Fire safety isn’t a matter of choice between active vs. passive fire protection systems. Both are necessary for comprehensive building safety. Active fire protection systems provide immediate response and fire suppression, while passive fire protection contains and slows the spread. Together, they create best-in-class defense and protect lives, property, and business continuity.

Reach out to a fire protection system specialist to protect your business, employees, and assets from the dangers of fire.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published on April 8, 2019, and has been updated for accuracy and current best practices.