Inspection & Maintenance of Fire-Board Systems: A KSA Facility Manager’s Guide
- murtaza
- November 9, 2025
- Uncategorized
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The installation of Fire-Board systems—from walls to steel encasement—is a critical step in making a building safe. But passive fire protection is not a “set it and forget it” system. Its integrity is constantly at risk from post-construction work, such as new cable installations, minor renovations, or even simple wear and tear. A 2-hour rated wall with a new, unsealed hole in it has a fire rating of zero minutes.
For facility managers in KSA, maintaining the integrity of these fire-rated assemblies is a legal requirement under the Saudi Building Code (SBC) and essential for life safety. This guide outlines what to look for and when to call a specialist.
In This Article:
The #1 Threat: Post-Handover Damage
Most fire-rated assemblies are not breached by fire; they are breached by people. The most common culprit is the IT or electrical contractor who needs to run a new cable. They will drill a hole through a 2-hour fire-rated partition, run their cable, and “patch” the hole with standard filler or foam. This completely voids the wall’s fire rating and is a direct violation of the SBC.
A Visual Inspection Checklist
Facility managers should conduct regular visual inspections, especially above accessible ceiling tiles (in the plenum space), which is where most penetrations occur.
| Area to Inspect | Look For | Why It’s a Critical Failure |
|---|---|---|
| Rated Partitions (Check above ceilings) | New, unsealed holes from pipes or cables. Gaps at the head-of-wall. | Provides a direct path for smoke and flame to bypass the barrier. |
| Fire-Board Encasement | Physical damage (dents, cracks, or missing sections) from impact. | Any breach in the board allows heat to attack the steel column directly. |
| Ductwork Encasement | Torn, damaged, or removed sections of the wrap. | A breach in the duct’s fire-rating. |
| Fire-Board Pattress Seals | New, unsealed cables pushed through the seal. Gaps around the edges. | The seal is no longer 100% complete and will fail. |
Why Specialist Repair is Required
When a breach is found, it cannot be repaired with standard building materials. The repair *must* restore the assembly back to its original, tested fire rating. This is a specialist passive fire protection task.
- Small Holes: Must be sealed with a tested, intumescent firestop sealant that matches the wall’s rating.
- Large Holes / Damage: The damaged section of Fire-Board must be cut out and replaced, with the new patch installed and jointed according to a tested repair method.
- New Services: Any new service *must* be sealed with an approved firestop device or sealant (e.g., a collar, wrap, or sealant) that is tested for that specific service and wall type.
Partnering for Long-Term Compliance
The most effective solution for building owners is to have a specialist passive fire protection contractor on-call. As our past projects show, we provide this service to help building managers maintain compliance.
- Annual Audits: We can conduct a professional audit of all your fire-rated barriers and provide a report on any breaches.
- Certified Repairs: We perform all repairs with the correct, certified materials and provide documentation for your records.
- Penetration Management: We can manage all new penetrations for your IT or maintenance teams, ensuring every new cable is sealed correctly from day one.
“A building is only fire-safe on the day it’s handed over. After that, its safety depends entirely on a diligent maintenance and repair program.”
Conclusion: Protecting Your Investment
Your building’s Fire-Board systems are a critical life-safety asset. Protecting them from damage and improper modification is a key responsibility for any building owner or facility manager in KSA. By implementing a regular inspection schedule and partnering with a certified specialist for all repairs and new penetrations, you ensure your building remains compliant, safe, and ready to perform when it matters most.
Need a professional audit or certified repair for your building’s fire-rated barriers?
