A firestop, commonly known as firestopping, is a fundamental part of passive fire protection which works to protect people and property.
Buildings are compartmented into rooms ,corridors and various living and workspaces. Planning departments then usually utilise and upgrade these compartments to form a fire strategy for the building. Designing the building to prevent the spread of fire from room to room and floor to floor . Primarily to allow the occupants to escape safely and quickly and to protect the fabric of the building.
Buildings are designed to allow the services (water electricity ventilation etc) to pass from room to room and floor to floor . In modern properties these usually pass unseen below floors and above ceilings . Sometimes special Cores are designed to carry them too. In the construction stage these are “usually!!” Firestopped with modern materials in a specified manner appertaining to each individual cavity .
However over time pipes and cables are added and rerouted. Due to a lack of education and training these holes are not sealed and can cause serious breaches in the Fire compartmentation.
The photograph (left) is an example of the type of penetration that is commonly found .
The cables pass from an intake room above a suspended ceiling allowing the gases to pass unhindered into a means of escape.
Right is a comprehensive example of the types of penetrations through walls and floors that can be expected and the differing types of ways that they can be sealed.
In the amended Approved Document B: Fire safety, section 9.1, it states:
“Every joint, imperfect fit and opening for services through a fire-separating element should be sealed with firestopping to ensure that the fire resistance of the element is not impaired. Firestopping delays the spread of fire and, generally, the spread of smoke as well.”
Why is firestopping important?
Firestopping is important because ultimately, it saves lives!
Choosing firestopping products that have been tested and actively installing them according to the manufacturer’s guidance, limits the risk of destructive fire.
If firestops are not installed correctly, both fire and smoke can rapidly dominate a building, structurally damaging it and risking the lives of its residents.
Moreover, firestops are widely recognised to support the emergency services when arriving at the scene of the fire. Through successful compartmentation, this gives the fire and rescue service more time to get the fire under control and rescue anyone still in the building.
Firestopping is an important part of a building’s fire safety strategy and should not be taken lightly. Therefore, the construction industry needs to ensure that the correct firestopping products are installed and start to utilise the support offered by relevant experts.
London Fire Block Ltd is one of the UK’s leading fire stopping companies. With 35 years of experience, our experts are able to accurately assess fire risk in your buildings and install measures to ensure full compliance with current regulations. If you’d like to know more, get in touch with London Fire Block Ltd today.
Disclaimer: This post is intended for educational use only, and should not be relied upon for compliance purposes.
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