Passive fire protection (PFP) is components or systems of a building or structure that slows or impedes the spread of the effects of fire or smoke without system activation, and usually without movement. Examples of passive systems include floor-ceilings and roofs, fire doors, windows, and wall assemblies, fire-resistant coatings, and other fire and smoke control assemblies. Passive fire protection systems can include active components such as fire dampers.

Passive fire protection systems are intended to:

PFP systems are designed to "prevent" the spread of fire and smoke, or heating of structural members, for an intended limited period of time as determined by the local building code and fire codes. Passive fire protection measures such as firestops, fire walls, and fire doors, are tested to determine the fire-resistance rating of the final assembly, which is usually expressed in terms of hours of fire resistance (e.g., ⅓, ¾, 1, 1½, 2, 3, 4 hour). A certification listing provides the limitations of the rating.

Passive fire protection systems typically do not require motion. Exceptions are fire dampers (fire-resistive closures within air ducts, excluding grease ducts) and fire door closers, which move, open and shut in order to work, as well as all intumescent products which swell in order to provide adequate material thickness and fill gaps. The simplicity of PFP systems usually results in higher reliability as compared to active fire protection systems such as sprinkler systems which require several operational components for proper functioning.

PFP in a building perform as a group of systems within systems. For example, an installed firestop system is part of a fire-resistance rated wall system or floor system, which is in turn a part of a fire compartment which forms an integral part of the overall building which operates as a system.

Different types of materials are employed in the design and construction of PFP systems. Endothermic materials absorb heat, including calcium silicate board, concrete and gypsum wallboard. For example, water can boil out of a concrete slab when heated. The chemically bound water inside these materials sublimates when heated. PFP measures also include intumescents and ablative materials. Materials themselves are not fire resistance rated. They must be organised into systems which bear a fire resistance rating when installed in accordance with certification listings (e.g., DIN 4102 Part 4).

There are mainly two types of materials that provide structural fire resistance: intumescent and vermiculite. Vermiculite materials cover the structural steel members in a relatively thick layer. Because of the porous nature of vermiculite, its use is not advisable if there is the possibility of water exposure. Steel corrosion is also difficult to monitor. Intumescent fireproofing is a layer of a material which is applied like paint on the structural steel members. The thickness of this intumescent coating is dependent on the steel section used. Intumescent coatings are applied in a relatively low thickness (usually 350- to 700-micrometer), have a more aesthetic smooth finish, and help prevent corrosion.

PFP system performance is typically demonstrated in fire tests. A typical test objective for fire rated assemblies is to maintain the item or the side to be protected at or below either 140 °C (for walls, floors and electrical circuits required to have a fire-resistance rating). A typical test objective (e.g., ASTM E119) for fire rated structural protection is to limit the temperature of the structural element (e.g., beam, column) to ca. 538 °C, at which point the yield strength of the structural element has been sufficiently reduced that structural building collapse may occur. Typical test standards for walls and floors are BS 476: Part 22: 1987, BS EN 1364-1: 1999 & BS EN 1364-2: 1999 or ASTM E119. Smaller components such as fire dampers, fire doors, etc., follow suit in the main intentions of the basic standard for walls and floors. Fire testing involves live fire exposures upwards of 1100 °C, depending on the fire-resistance rating and duration one is after. Test objectives other than fire exposures are sometimes included such as hose stream impact to determine the survivability of the system under realistic conditions.