Passive fire protection refers to the aspects of a building's design and construction that help to contain fires and smoke, preventing their spread and allowing for safe evacuation of occupants. This includes features such as firewalls, fire-resistant doors, and inspection of material finishes that slow down or inhibit the progress of a fire. These components are integrated into the structure itself and do not require any action to be effective—they simply work automatically by virtue of their presence.
In contrast, active firefighting techniques, personal protective equipment, and fire drills involve direct intervention and actions by individuals or systems to combat a fire or prepare for potential emergencies. While those strategies are essential components of an overall fire safety plan, they do not fall under the category of passive fire protection, which focuses solely on built-in safety measures designed to limit fire impact without requiring immediate action.