Trailblazing Fire Safety Firm Wins Best New Business Award
Passive Fire Containment, a North East fire protection firm founded by former firefighters Jonathan Hoole and Joe Wattis, has been named Best New Business at the 2024 Best New Tees Business Awards.
The firm, which delivers comprehensive fire protection solutions across the region, stood out among a competitive shortlist that included After Hours Social, Embeddable, Razzamataz Theatre Schools Stockton, and Southern Asset Management. The award, sponsored by Additional Lengths, was presented at a prestigious ceremony hosted by Tees Business at Hardwick Hall’s Coleman Suite.
The company’s origins trace back to Ireland, where it was inspired by its sister company, Fire Containment Limited, founded by Alan Byrne. Recognising a growing demand for effective passive fire protection in the UK, Jonathan and Joe combined their frontline experience with this proven model to deliver trusted fire safety solutions for both commercial and residential properties.
“With our background, we knew exactly what could happen when proper fire safety measures weren’t in place,” said Jonathan. “Something as simple as a knocked-over heater or a cigarette can quickly escalate into a devastating fire one that could have been contained with the right doors, partitions, or materials.”
Joe added: “We saw it every day during our time in the fire service small, containable fires that spread because buildings lacked basic passive protection. We knew there was a real gap in the market.”
Jonthan Hoole & Joe Wattis representing Passive Fire Containment
Leaving the fire service where they had found purpose, camaraderie, and passion was not an easy decision for the duo. “Being a firefighter is the best job in the world,” Joe admitted. “But we knew we could make a bigger difference by preventing fires before they started.”
That decision is already making a meaningful impact. Passive Fire Containment now offers a complete range of fire protection services, from fire doors and intumescent coatings to full fire-stopping systems. Their services are rooted in real-world experience, providing clients with practical, regulation-compliant solutions.
“Since Grenfell, fire safety legislation has become much stricter and rightly so,” said Jonathan. “There are no shortcuts when it comes to people’s lives. Our goal is to help businesses and homeowners get it right, from day one.”
As awareness around passive fire protection continues to grow, Passive Fire Containment is leading the way combining operational knowledge with a proactive approach to ensure buildings are safer, stronger, and fully compliant.
