Penetration Sealing Systems

Fire Penetration Sealing (or fire stopping as it is commonly known) is the process of reinstating the fire performance where a compartment wall or floor has been breached by penetrating building services such as pipes, cables, ductwork and the like. Fire penetration sealing is intended to prevent the spread of smoke and fire through these penetrations. The chosen system requires careful consideration based on performance and due to the evolution of test standards over the recent years.

Approved Document B identifies a fire-stop as “A seal provided to close an imperfection of fit or design tolerance between elements or components, to restrict the spread of fire and smoke.”

Linear Gap Sealing Systems

Linear gap seals play a crucial role in stopping the spread of fire and smoke by effectively sealing linear gaps and joints in buildings or structures. Linear gap sealing systems such as where a fire- resisting door or window frame meets a wall, floor-to-floor joints, wall-to-wall joints, wall-to-floor joints, horizontal and vertical joints between different compartments etc are also covered by the term fire stopping. These seals are designed to prevent the passage of air, gas, fire and smoke between building compartments. Whilst also considered as fire-stopping, it is different from penetration seals as the joints and testing cannot include services.