Field of Application Reports for Fire Resistance of Passive Fire Products
Receive a quote tailored to your needs
What is a Field of Application Report
Turning test evidence into a usable scope of application
An FOA report takes primary fire‑test evidence and defines the range of permitted product configurations, variations and installation parameters without re‑testing every variant. It clarifies what can be changed — and what cannot — so products can be specified with confidence.
FOAs differ from single technical assessments. An FOA consolidates multiple test reports to set a broader, documented scope of approval. Technical assessments address specific variations case‑by‑case where exact evidence is absent. We can advise on the route that best serves compliance, programme and cost.
Where FOAs add value
- Fire resisting doors & doorsets: alternative sizes, glazing options, hardware sets, frames, seals within a defined scope.
- Penetration seals: service types, diameters, substrates and seal systems consolidated across evidence.
- Cavity barriers & compartmentation: permitted installation details and interfaces.
- Glazed screens & partitions: alternative sizes, configurations, glass panes and board materials.
Deliverables you receive - Approval‑ready documentation
- A Field of Application Report detailing the product/system and the test evidence used.
- Permitted variations and installation parameters clearly identified, with limits of validity and conditions of use.
Building Safer Spaces Together
Discover how Kiwa Fire Safety Compliance delivers smart, tailored fire safety solutions - now available now as a digital flipbook and downloadable PDF.
Why Partner with KFS
Trusted Fire Performance Judgement from Independent Specialists
Impartiality as standard
KFS does not run its own laboratories and remains independent from manufacturers, which supports unbiased advice.Evidence‑first
FOAs cite the exact test reports used, and define scope, limits and conditions for safe application.Regulation context
FOAs support routes to compliance under Building Regulations and dutyholder assurance in the Building Safety Act environment.Transparent, evidence‑based reporting
Our FOAs give a clear scope of approval making it easy for readers to understand permitted variations and limits of validity. Further, our FOAs identify the relevant test evidence giving clarity around what our FOAs are based upon.Our Assessment Process
From evidence to clear, usable scope
Evidence gathering:
Technical review:
Determine the scope:
Documentation:
Business Benefits
Safer specification and smoother approvals
Clarity for design & site:
Value from test evidence:
Fewer delays:
Independent assurance:
Improved consistency across the supply chain:
Defining Permitted Product Use for Construction
• Product manufacturers and system suppliers
• Fabricators and installers
• Architects and design teams
• Building control and fire authorities
• Main contractors and developers
Standards & Regulations We Work To
Codes and guidance underpinning FOAs
A Field of Application (FOA) Report is a form of Technical Assessment with a wider, scope of approval and not limited to use on a single site or project. As such, our FOAs are produced in line with the Passive Fire Protection Forum’s Guide to Undertaking Technical Assessments of the Fire Performance of Construction Products Based on Fire Test Evidence (the PFPF Guide).
The PFPF Guide is referenced within Approved Document B, which means our approach aligns with the recognised methodology used to demonstrate compliance with the Building Regulations. Several members of the KFS team were directly involved in developing the PFPF Guide, giving us a deeper, first‑hand understanding of its requirements and intent.
Where applicable, we also base our judgements on published standards and technical methods including:
- Extended Field of Application Standards
- Applicable Eurocodes
- Industry Guidance
Where a variation cannot be justified solely through published rules, we apply established engineering principles and specialist experience to substantiate the fire performance. When beneficial, we support assessments with computational methods - such as finite element heat‑transfer modelling - using dedicated engineering software.
Safety in the Frame: Fireproofing a Modular Vision
Fast-Tracking Safety Behind the Scenes
Safety That Delivers Daily
From Blueprint to Build: Fire Safety That Works
Intelligent Solutions for Safer Places of Learning
Elegance, Restored: Fire Safety Strategy at The Randolph Hotel
Cleared for Safety: Fire Strategy That Keeps Gatwick Moving
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How is a Field of Application Report different from an Engineering Assessment?
A: An FOA aggregates multiple test reports to define a broader, documented scope of approval, whereas a Technical Assessment provides a specific judgement for a defined variation when direct evidence is limited, often for a specific project. We recommend the route that best suits compliance and programme needs.
Q: What information do you need to prepare an FOA?
A: Product specifications, construction drawings, clarity on desired variations and all available fire test reports.
Q: Will an FOA be accepted by building control or the fire authority?
A: FOAs built on relevant test evidence and recognised guidance are cited as a way to demonstrate fire resistance within Approved Document B (the guidance to the Building Regulations) and hence are normally accepted but ultimately acceptance rests with the authority having jurisdiction.
Q: How long does it take to produce a Field of Application Report?
A: Timescales depend on the extent of fire test evidence and variations that need be considered. FOAs rely on consolidating multiple primary test reports, validating their relevance, and defining permitted variations. Once evidence is received, most FOAs can be prepared efficiently, as the process follows structured, recognised assessment steps. Our current workloads will of course also have an impact. We would always advise you to come to us in good time!
Q: We have several historic test reports — can these be used in an FOA?
A: Yes, provided the test reports are still relevant, of a suitable technical standard and applicable to the product or system being assessed. We have a process to review older test reports in order to confirm their suitability.
Q: Can an FOA cover bespoke or project‑specific variation?
A: FOAs can define a range of permitted variations, but if you require something highly project‑specific that falls outside the FOA scope, we may recommend a complementary Technical Assessment or, where necessary, appropriate testing. This mirrors best practice across the fire‑testing sector, where extrapolations must stay within credible boundaries of available evidence.
Q: Does an FOA help reduce the need for repeated or unnecessary fire tests?
A: Yes. FOAs are designed to avoid redundant testing by clarifying what can safely be varied without conducting additional fire tests. This ensures you maximise the value of your existing test evidence while still maintaining compliance and traceability — a recognised benefit across the product‑assessment market.
Q: Will the FOA specify limits and installation conditions clearly enough for our installers or fabricators?
A: Absolutely. FOAs produced by KFS include explicit limits of validity, allowed variations, installation conditions and any necessary restrictions. This approach reflects industry guidance on producing technical assessments, making them practical for both site teams and approvals bodies.
Turn test evidence into approval‑ready scope
Define how, and where, your passive fire product can be used - with a clear, independent FOA from KFS
