What is Fire Stopping?

PENETRATION-FIRE STOPPING

Fire stopping is required by building codes. Penetrating a fire rated wall or floor and not returning it to its original integrity (technique known as "fire stopping") allows destructive heat and toxic combustion products to spread dangerously throughout a building, threating life, property and operations.

Common fire rated walls and floors are found in stair towers, elevator shafts, exit corridors and mechanical/utility rooms. Whenever a pipe, conduit, duct, or other item penetrates a fire-rated wall or floor, the resulting gap is a potential entry point for heat and smoke.

Only approved fire-stopping methods can be used. The building codes emphasize "approved methods", which means that acceptable fire-stopping products must meet nationally recognized standards when tested at a testing laboratory. Underwriter's Laboratories and Factory Mutual are two of the best-known third party testing facilities.

Key point to know.
Firestop is a life safety item.
Part of total fire protection.

Every installation has its own requirements. Many factors affect fire-stop performance. The most obvious include:

o Size of the opening.
o Type of penetrating item (metal, plastic, insulated or glass pipe, insulated cable etc.).
o Floor or wall material (concrete, gypsum, wood frame, etc.
o Thickness of floor or wall.
o Time and intensity of the fire.

Fire stopping is a system, not installing a material (not approved as such) to fill the opening. There are many types of systems. A typical through-penetration firestop system requires installation of both a form and a fill material.