The passive fire protection market is made up of several sectors, namely fire-resistant doors, fittings and intumescent seals, cables, partitions and suspended ceilings, glass, structural protection and ductwork and damper systems. Fire-resistant doors, fittings and intumescent seals are the largest sector of the market, holding a share of 54%.
Prior to 2020, the market experienced a period of consistent growth, increasing in value terms by 11% between 2015 and 2019. Much of this can be attributed to a positive performance in various sectors of the non-residential construction industry, such as commercial offices, infrastructure and leisure/entertainment.
The overall market for passive fire protection products is dependent on the performance of key sectors of the economy such as offices, industrial, entertainment, health and education. Activity in these sectors has a significant impact on demand for passive fire protection products such as cable, glass, ceilings, partitions and doors. In addition, the infrastructure sector represents a key use of structural protection products.
During 2020, however, market value is expected to suffer a major downturn due to Covid-19 and the accompanying adverse effects upon construction activity, economic outlook and business confidence. Overall, the longer-term scenario for the passive fire protection market remains mixed. Much of this will depend on how well the UK emerges from the various political and economic challenges posed by Covid-19, as well as what form Brexit will eventually take.