Fire Stopping

In every application, the importance of sealing any gaps in fire resisting constructions is vital to
ensure the maximum ability to save life and property.

Such gaps include service penetrations through walls and floors, due to poor workmanship or left for structural movement.

Every service passing through fire resistant building elements reacts in a different way in the
event of fire, so there is no single solution or product that will protect all services.

Factors for consideration when determining the correct specification to ensure a wall or partition will provide the required fire performance include:

• Fire resistant period
• Insulation requirement
• Wall, floor, linear gap
• Movement – vibration and thermal expansion
• Mechanical strength – load bearing

Chapter 7 of the Fire Protection Handbook provides examples of system specifications for a range of fire stopping products. Additional system details are available in the Technical Data Sheets.

Services must be tested in accordance with the test methods set out in appropriate standards.
Tests are carried out in accordance with the general principles of BS 476: Part 20: 1987 or
BS EN 1366-3: 2004 and BS EN 1366-4: 2006

It is of particular importance to note that for plastic pipe penetrations care must be taken before
accepting test reports or assessments. Research has clearly shown that the different types of
plastics behave in different ways under fire conditions.