Fire stopping
One of the most significant fire threats to building structures occurs when gaps and cavities exist between fire separating walls and floors, either in the building envelope and structure or as the result of service penetration, giving fire, smoke and heat the opportunity to spread vertically and laterally, rapidly and with devastating effect.
Firestopping is the sealing of these gaps to ensure the integrity of the compartment line.
As an accredited passive fire protection specialist, Pyrotect can advise on the best firestopping method. Led by Neil McNulty, Contracts Manager (Firestopping), our team will assess the situation and depending on the location and nature of the void and the number and material composition of any penetrating services, will reinstate compartmentation integrity through the installation of:
Fire rated sealants
Fire-rated sealants are designed for sealing gaps and joints in fire-rated structures and for maintaining integrity when sealing around service penetrations.
Sealants can be used in most low movement joints up to 30 mm wide with no slump and can be over-painted.
Often gaps need to be sealed for purposes other than fire and we can provide expert guidance and advice on sealing for air leakage and acoustic separation between different elements of structure.
Coated Batts
Coated batts are used to provide fire and acoustic barriers for voids created by the passage of services in drywall partitions, masonry walls and floors. The batts can also be used to form a blank seal in wall and floor voids and to seal gaps between elements of the structures such as. curtain walling to cladding. Batts are manufactured from Rockwool material coated with a flexible and resilient layer of fire resistant material.
This is ideally suited to being cut around service penetrations and other elements of structures ensuring that a complete and robust fire compartment has been installed.
Fire Compound
Fire compound provides higher strength fire seals and is generally used in floor openings that are required to take foot traffic around service penetrations. Fire compound is a lightweight formulated gypsum or cement-based mortar which provides strength as well as a fire-rated seal.
Different compositions of compound offer differing load bearing capacities and additional circumstances (such as acoustic requirements) need to be considered when selecting the appropriate compound for application.
Cavity Barriers
Cavity barriers are lightweight, non-rigid fire barriers made of combinations of woven and non-woven glass substrates and aluminium foil. Designed to delay the spread of fire, heat and smoke in concealed spaces, cavity barriers have three primary uses: external wall protection between the slab edge and the cladding or envelope of a building, internally as a fire curtain to close or create a compartment in a void and to fill large voids under floors, in ceilings and roof voids. Cavity barriers provide integrity and heat insulation and are rated for both.
Unsure which method of firestopping would provide the most effective solution for your building? Our knowledgeable team are on hand to offer advice and provide more information on the most effective methods for you. Contact the team now at hello@pyrotect.co.uk or call 01530 416870
