Firestop Systems General Uses

Firestop applications are passive fire protection to seal the gaps, openings and between joints in a required fire resistance wall or floor assembly. Firestops are designed to maintain the integrity of the wall or floor assembly fireproofing to delay and prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Installed firestop systems with proper maintenance act as a fire and smoke barriers and also reduces fire and smoke damage. Firestop as a passive fire protection system keeps fire from spreading between rooms as a form of compartmentation.

An unprotected or improperly installed penetration is a concern, as the gaps does not allow for full or proper firestop compartmentation. Therefore firestop system is required to be installed for the penetrations made by mechanical and electrical services.

Firestop systems generally comply with BS 476 Part 20 should be non-load bearing, as this will further prevent physical damage to the installed system. In addition, for completed systems, it is typically concealed or within locked access, such as floor penetrations. This is to protect the mechanical and electrical services and firestop systems from unauthorized access.

Firestop system that comply with ASTM 2307 standards for the façade or curtain wall perimeter gaps should also be inspected and maintained when there are changes made to the existing installations. This will ensure the floor to floor are properly protected at the façade and curtain wall installations.
During the building lifecycle for service maintenance, cables will be upgraded or changed from time to time.

Hence firestop maintenance should be regularly performed by a trained firestop installer. This will ensure the firestop protection is not compromised during the building maintenance works.

The common firestop materials are fire rated mortar, fire rated sealant and fire collars for penetrations. However there are various forms of system and details for installation. Therefore it is important for building maintenance or building owner to have support from firestop installer for their buildings.

In addition to firestop systems, we also provide passive fire protection such as cementitious vermiculite spray applied system and intumescent paint coating as a fireproofing systems.

Project references will be provided upon request. Please contact us for discussions.