When considering the design and installation of a new industrial partition or fire-rated room it is essential to consider passive fire protection. Commercial buildings are often busy places where people come and go, so ensuring that the building and the people inside it are kept safe, especially as these environments can often lend themselves to fire-related dangers.
Designing a system that is effective when faced with the dangers of fire means considering every aspect of prevention, and the one that is most frequently overlooked is penetration sealing.
There is little point in having a fire rated partition if the separation that is designed to compartmentalise the fire does not include firestopping. If the space is not correctly sealed it can lead to the fire spreading, smoke and toxic gases escaping.
Time is of the essence when it comes to slowing down the spread of fire and firestopping when installed alongside other passive fire protection such as firewalls, can inhibit the spread of fire for up to four hours, allowing people to leave the building and the fire services to arrive.
Depending on the kind of fire prevention method you need, a range of firestopping is used.
A fire barrier system is made from high-density rock wool and has a fire resistant coating. These slabs are used to fill a cavity between walls and ensure that the fire cannot spread. They also improve acoustic performance.
Compound systems using gypsum are used to provide a seal around penetrations such as pipes, cables and ducts. If these are not firestopped correctly, they provide an opening that allows smoke and fire to spread.
An intumescent sealant is either water or silicone based and can be used in fire stopping. They adhere to a range of surface materials and because they are so adaptable, they are often used in firestopping. Like other methods, sealant can offer up to four hours of protection.
Fire-stopping is an essential part of passive fire protection, which is why it is so important that it is installed by trained professionals, which will ensure that the system can be given a rating of up to four hours fire protection.
In the UK, LPS 1500 standard is the certification refers specifically to the installation of passive fire protection products. It ensures that it meets insurance-approved products installed in the correct manner.
Stancold is one of the few industrial partitions installers in the United Kingdom who hold this certification, allowing our in-house trained team of installers to install fire-resisting compartmentation systems. We understand the importance of proper fire-stopping and have the expertise and accreditation, which offers you complete peace of mind.
If you want to find out more about industrial partitions and fire-stopping, please give us a call on 0117 316 7000 or send us an email.
You may also be interested in our case studies…
- Two-Hour Fire-Rated Partitioning System for Warehouse Sub-Division, Bristol
- Fire-Rated Staircase Enclosures for Fulfilment Centre, Northampton
- 4-Hour Fire-Rated Partitions for Two Commercial Distribution Units, Northamptonshire
