12 Oct 2026
Behind The Regs with Alec Purdie (QUELFIRE)
Passive Fire Protection: Why Early Collaboration and the Right Evidence Matter
Passive fire protection is more than choosing a product and sealing an opening. It depends on a tested system, suitable design, coordinated trades, correct installation, inspection, and clear records. In this episode of Behind the Regs, Jack and Nader speak with Alec Purdie, Technical Manager at Quelfire, about what it takes to get those details right.
Alec explains how early engagement, ideally before fire stopping becomes a site issue, can help teams avoid redesign, delays, and unnecessary costs.
He discusses the role of service penetration planning, the importance of coordinating architects and MEP designers with fire engineers, contractors, installers, and building control, and why a solution that looks straightforward on paper may not be practical to install.
The conversation clarifies the difference between a product and a tested, classified system. A product data sheet or an individual fire test report may not, on its own, demonstrate that an installation is suitable for a project.
Teams need to understand the complete application, the approved evidence, and how the proposed installation aligns with the relevant wall or floor, services, and required fire performance.
Alec also highlights workmanship as a major source of problems. Even when the design and evidence are sound, incorrect installation or poor coordination between trades can undermine the intended performance.
His practical advice: agree on the details early, involve the people who will build and inspect the work, and ask for the manufacturer’s detail showing what is being installed and how.Other topics include:
How passive fire protection helps protect a building’s structure and contain fire through compartmentation
Why early planning supports stronger gateway submissions and reduces reactive fixes
Where communication commonly breaks down between design teams and site teams
Why clear terminology matters when discussing fire resistance, test reports, and classified information
The role of CPD, technical guidance, and knowledge sharing in improving industry understanding
How changing expectations and standards are shaping the future of passive fire protection
Alec’s route into the industry, from military communications and NATO training to technical support, has shaped his focus on making complex information easier to understand and apply.
He shares why the industry benefits when teams stay open-minded, ask questions, and move beyond “this is how we’ve always done it.”For anyone working in construction, design, fire safety, installation, or building control, this episode offers a practical reminder: plan together, use the right evidence, and verify that the detail can be delivered correctly on site.
Guest: Alec Purdie, Technical Manager at Quelfire
