The use of rated fire stopping materials tested to BS 476 part 20/22 has been part of standard building specifications for quite some time.
Many clients and indeed builders do not realise the potential risk they take by not employing the services of a third party expert in this field to ensure these products are fitted correctly.
Fire stopping is more complex than filling a hole with a fire resistant material. Fire stopping materials only perform as they should when installed in accordance with test certification and manufacturer’s instructions but sadly these requirements are often overlooked. This results in fires that should have been prevented or at least contained. Routine investigations by the Fire Brigade following a fire will identify the absence of or poorly fitted fire stopping materials and under the Regulatory Reform (Fire safety) Order, building landlords and managers responsible have a duty to ensure that fire stopping is installed and installed correctly.
To assist you, Fire Stop and Seal has trained staff and is accredited by FIREUS to supply and install fire stopping and fire barriers. You and your building will be provided with certificated installations giving you full confidence in the performance of your building’s passive fire protection systems. Why take the risk doing anything else?
Fire Barriers:
Fire Barriers are critical and are often overlooked areas of fire protection. There are many forms of fire barrier and they can actually be part of the structure, e.g. walls, floors, ceilings, etc, while others may be non structural enclosures or partitions.
Fire barriers and curtains are available in mineral fibre plain faced and foil faced, and can achieve up to two hours fire protection.
Mineral fibre fire barriers are normally 50mm thick and are hung vertically, continuously supported and secured at the head or soffit.
Mineral fibre barriers are tested to BS476 : Part 4 : 1970 (1984) and satisfies the requirements of the building regulations 1981 (1992 edition) approved document B and appendix A, table A, fire integrity and insulation performances.
Both systems require any penetrations through the fire barrier/curtain to be sleeved to provide an effective fire stop to prevent the passage of flames.
London Fire Solutions has experience of the following materials and would be pleased to discuss your requirements further or provide more information:
Fire Barrier – Rockwool Fire Barrier has been developed to inhibit the spread of smoke and flames through concealed spaces in buildings, particularly above ceilings. Rockwool Fire Barrier is ideally suited for use in new works and refurbishment projects alike. The flexibility of Fire Barrier simplifies its installation in cavities where a rigid product would prove difficult, such as in trapezoidal roof decks and for penetrations by structural members and services.
Stone Wool – Firetherm Stone Wool is used to provide a fire and smoke barrier or cavity barrier to small areas such as under raised access floors or above suspended ceilings and large areas such as roof spaces. Unusually for this type of fire barrier it can provide two hours fire integrity and 16 minutes insulation depending on head fixing details.
Stone Wool – Firetherm Stone Wool is used to provide a fire and smoke barrier or cavity barrier to small areas such as under raised access floors or above suspended ceilings and large areas such as roof spaces. Unusually for this type of fire barrier it can provide two hours fire integrity and 16 minutes insulation depending on head fixing details.
Phoenix – A thin, flexible, lightweight Fire & Smoke Barrier, suitable for any application where 30 minutes to 110 minutes integrity is required, but is not suitable for installations where INSULATION is a requirement.
Vulcan – 30 minutes integrity / 20 minutes insulation Developed to comply with the requirements of Building Regulations BS.476 Parts 20:22Only 6.5mm thick nominal / 1.8 kg/m2 nominal.
Plus 30 – 30 minutes integrity / 30 minutes insulation Fully tested for both vertical and horizontal applications. Exceeds Building Regulations BS.476 Parts 20:22. LPCB Accredited product Only 10mm thick nominal / 2.2kg/m2 nominal.
Plus 60 – 60 minutes integrity / 38 minutes insulation Fully tested for both vertical and horizontal applications Exceeds Building Regulations BS.476 Part 20:22 LPCB Accredited product Only 10mm thick nominal / 2.2kg/m2 nominal.
Titan – 60 minutes integrity / 60 minutes insulation Developed specifically to provide a solution where extending a firewall up to the soffitt is not practical with blockwork TITAN is flexible and easy to install. Only 15mm thick nominal / 3.9kg/m2 nominal.