What exactly are fire stops and why are they non-negotiable in fire safety? Tasked with impeding the spread of flames and safeguarding human life, fire stops are the 'hidden hero' of passive fire protection. This article aims to demystify fire stops while guiding you through best practices that ensure compliance and safety.
Fire stopping installations provide a critical lifeline during a fire. Their aim is to:
By achieving these objectives, correct fire stopping installations ensure a safer environment for occupants.
The success of these fire stop systems hinges on their proper installation. To guarantee building safety, these systems MUST comply with strict fire safety regulations during installation. Understanding the importance of fire stopping involves two things. Recognising its function in fire safety while appreciating its role in ensuring compliance with regulations.
One of the key aspects of fire stopping is passive fire protection. But what exactly does it entail? To put it simply, passive fire protection is a series of measures integrated into the structure of a building designed to contain or slow the spread of fire and smoke. This approach goes beyond merely responding to fire; it’s about preventing its spread in the first place.
Passive fire protection includes:
By implementing these measures, buildings can greatly reduce the fire risk and protect the lives and property within.
Passive fire protection involves sealing gaps, creating a continuous barrier against the spread of fire and smoke throughout a building. This is precisely the role of fire stopping, which utilizes fire-resistant materials such as walls, doors, and other barriers to seal off openings and thwart the advance of fire.
Building compartmentation is an essential strategy in passive fire protection. Used extensively in all types of buildings including hospitals, schools and any domestic property with communal spaces. Note these include cupboards such as risers and electrical cupboards. Essentially, compartmentation aims to slow the spread of fire and smoke, aiding in evacuation and emergency response.
The concept involves dividing a building into multiple fire-resistant compartments using walls and floors, which helps contain a fire within its origin compartment. Barrier systems such as cavity barriers and fire stops are installed to close off spaces between building elements and service penetrations. This strategy is an effective way to contain fires and prevent their spread!
The key components of a fire stop system include:
These materials are chosen based on their ability to resist fire, seal gaps efficiently and/or expand in high temperatures.
Modern fire-stopping systems have evolved to include advanced materials such as:
Below is an example of incorrect attempt at fire stopping service penetrations. This was rectified by the fire stopping experts at Blake Fire & Security. Notice the label which records the details of the remedial works (see 'after' picture).
Intumescent materials play a central role in fire stopping due to their unique properties. When exposed to heat, these materials:
This ability to react and adapt to rising temperatures makes intumescent sealants a crucial component of fire stop systems.
In addition to sealants, intumescent materials are used in various ways to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. For instance, intumescent mastics and proprietary systems serve as fire-stopping materials in walls and floors, while products like fire covers for ceilings expand to fill spaces with fire-resistant material, creating an effective barrier against flames.
Sealants and gap fillers are other key components of fire stops. Used for sealing gaps around fire doors, window frames, and in sealing joints, voids, and irregular holes in fire-rated structures, these materials play a vital role in preventing the passage of fire and smoke through openings.
These sealants and gap fillers come in various types, including silicone, intumescent, and elastomeric varieties. They are designed to expand when heated, effectively sealing off potential paths for fire and smoke, thus reinforcing the fire resistance of the structure.
Firestop collars and wraps seal around plastic pipes and cables, ensuring effective penetration through fire-rated walls and floors. This helps to contain potential fire hazards and maintain fire safety measures. In a fire, these components expand under high temperature, maintaining the fire resistance levels of the structure.
Firestop wraps, similar to collars but without a metal outer shell, are made of flexible intumescent materials that expand in heat. These wraps prevent fire spread and smoke from moving through openings created by combustible pipes, cables, or ducts.
On the other hand, fire sleeves used with plastic pipes expand rapidly during a fire, crushing the pipe and sealing the gap to prevent the spread of smoke or fire to adjacent areas.
The proper installation and maintenance of a fire stop system is vital. Fire stops must be professionally installed by trained and certified personnel to ensure compliance with fire codes and manufacturer’s instructions. This is where companies like Blake Fire & Security, with their rigorous training, certifications and track record, play a pivotal role.
Maintenance involves regular inspections, managing new penetrations, and staying updated with repairs and refurbishments as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. Regular inspections are necessary to identify potential deficiencies or damages in fire stops that could impair their functionality. Neglecting the maintenance of fire stops could lead to the deterioration of seals and increased risks during a fire incident.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions is vital for effective fire stopping. These guidelines direct the accurate sealing of service gaps and penetrations through walls, floors, and ceilings, ensuring the optimal fire-resistant properties and fire-resisting durations of fire stops. Unfortunately, incorrect installation is a common mistake that can compromise the effectiveness of fire stops.
To avoid these mistakes, it’s recommended to use a qualified professional company. In Essex and the South East, a good choice is Blake Fire & Security. We are certified under BM TRADA’s Q-Mark fire stopping installation scheme, which ensures individuals are certified for training and supervising installations in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines. Make sure your supplier is qualified and displaying the correct certification logo:
Regular inspections form an integral part of maintaining fire stops. They assist in identifying breaches in fire compartmentation, which are documented in a detailed survey report with photographs. These inspections should be conducted by experienced professionals who thoroughly examine both visible and concealed areas.
Inspections are recommended annually or following building modifications, and after incidents that may compromise fire stopping integrity. Scheduled inspections also entail proper documentation and labeling of fire stop systems to facilitate future maintenance, ensuring ongoing effectiveness. This is another area where Blake Fire & Security can help.
Compliance with fire stopping regulations and standards is an essential aspect of building safety. These regulations include:
These regulations dictate the implementation and extent of fire stopping measures required based on building size, usage, and fire rating.
Non-compliance with these regulations can result in failed fire safety inspections, penalties and worse... increased risk during a fire. Again, certified fire stopping products from reputable suppliers like Blake Fire & Security ensure your fire stops maintain the expected fire-resistance rating and effectiveness.
In the UK, the Building Regulations 2010 provides a comprehensive set of fire safety requirements applicable to:
There have been several amendments to the Approved Document B, part of the Building Regulations 2010, with the most recent changes in March 2024.
To uphold the integrity of fire compartments effectively, the Building Regulations 2010 in the UK firmly require that fire stopping measures adhere to specific fire safety conditions detailed within the regulations. This is another reason why it’s important to work with a reputable company like Blake Fire & Security, which is well-versed in the latest regulations.
Based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, Blake Fire & Security is a leading fire stopping company servicing businesses and educational institutions in Essex and London.
Blake Fire & Security offer:
BM Trada certification is a prestigious approval scheme. For example, it recognises quality and expertise in fire stopping, fire door installation and maintenance services. In addition to fire stopping, Blake Fire & Security is BM Trada certified for fire door installation and maintenance, ensuring comprehensive safety and quality service to our customers.
Blake Fire & Security conduct detailed evaluations tailored to the unique fire stopping requirements of each building. These assessments are comprehensive, considering all aspects of your building’s specific fire stopping needs before proposing a tailored solution.
This thorough approach ensures that every fire stopping solution we provide is the best fit for your building. Ensuring that the right measures are in place to protect your building and its occupants from fire.
Innovation significantly contributes to improving fire safety. Current trends in fire stopping technologies involve the creation of advanced materials and monitoring tools that enhance the efficiency and simplify the installation of fireproofing systems.
Monitoring systems, for instance, can be used to oversee firestop installations in real-time, contributing to a more efficient maintenance process by allowing prompt identification and resolution of issues.
Blake Fire & Security’s commitment to fire safety is not just theoretical. It’s backed up by a track record of successful projects. For instance, our collaboration with the Principal Contractor for IKEA in Southampton. Fire stopping under certification was required after new service installations breached compartment walls. This critical work was carried out after opening hours to ensure customer safety.
This is just one example of how Blake Fire & Security tailor their services to meet the needs of each client. Our fire stopping solutions are bespoke. Designed to provide the highest level of safety, regardless of your building or its usage.
We’ve covered a lot of ground in this blog, exploring the critical importance of fire stopping, understanding its key components, acknowledging the significance of proper installation and maintenance, and recognizing the importance of adhering to fire safety regulations. We’ve also seen how Blake Fire & Security, with their commitment to quality, expertise, and innovation, stands out in providing advanced and effective fire stopping solutions.
Your building’s fire safety is not a matter to be taken lightly – it’s a matter of life and safety. And with professionals like Blake Fire & Security by your side, you can be assured of the best fire safety measures.
Fire stopping is a set of measures that aim to stop the spread of fire and smoke in a building, protecting lives and property.
The key components of a fire stop system include intumescent products, firestop pillows, cementitious mortars, silicone, mineral fibers and rubber compounds. These materials work together to prevent the spread of fire.
Regular inspections are important for fire stops because they help identify any potential deficiencies or damages, ensuring that they continue to be effective.
The BM Trada certification recognises quality and expertise in fire stopping, fire door installation, and maintenance services. It ensures the fire stopping work you have done is compliant and effective.
