Which strategy does the term "passive protection" refer to in fire prevention?

The term "passive protection" in fire prevention primarily refers to the use of fire-resistive building materials and designs. This strategy is aimed at slowing the spread of fire and maintaining the structural integrity of a building during a fire incident. Passive fire protection features can include fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as the use of non-combustible materials. These measures are designed to protect occupants and limit property damage without the need for any active firefighting intervention.

In contrast, active firefighting efforts, such as the deployment of fire departments or fire suppression systems, involve direct action taken to extinguish a fire once it has started. Installing fire alarms and sprinklers represents a blend of passive and active strategies, as they are systems that alert occupants and can actively suppress fires but do not prevent their occurrence. Creating firebreaks in vegetation primarily falls under land management and active efforts to reduce the potential for wildfire spread rather than structural protection measures.