What Is Meant By Fire Stopping? What Can Be Used As A Firestop?
What Is Meant By Fire Stopping?
Fire stopping in buildings is the process of creating a barrier between two adjoining sections of a structure to prevent the spread of fire through concealed spaces.
This includes placing fire-resistant material around pipes, cables and other services that pass through fire barriers in walls and floors to contain smoke and heat during a fire.
Fire stopping materials are designed to resist flames, high temperatures, smoke, hot gases and the transmission of products of combustion.
It also helps limit damage caused by fire by providing additional protection on top of the normal building constructions like walls and ceilings.
What Can Be Used As A Firestop?
Firestops are essential components in buildings for limiting the spread of fire, smoke and other hazardous materials.
Firestops can be used to prevent fires from spreading through penetrations in walls and ceilings, around openings like doorways and window frames, as well as along joints between different construction materials.
Popular materials that can serve as firestops include intumescent caulks and sealants, mineral fiber board products, ceramic fiber blankets and felts, rigid foam boards, tubular products such as firestopping pillows and sleeves, fire-resistant plasterboard, sprayed-on fire protection systems, intumescent sprays or paints with penetrating agents, or a combination of these items.
What Is The Difference Between Firestop And Fireblock?
Firestop and Fireblock are both materials used in construction for fire prevention, however there is a key difference between them; Firestop forms a barrier to seal any gaps or openings in walls or floors to defend against the spread of fire, while Fireblock is typically added within the wall cavities themselves and can restrict the vertical movement of fire.
Firestops have to be fire-rated, meaning they must meet certain safety standards to prevent flame spread, while Fireblock need not be rated.
Additionally, Firestop is removable and can sometimes even have a function beyond its use as preventative measure (like insulation), where as Fireblock is permanent.
Where Is Firestop Used?
Firestop is used in all types of buildings, and is recommended to be installed in any doorway or opening that penetrates a fire-resistant wall, floor or ceiling.
Firestop products are designed to contain the spread of fire and smoke, while also providing acoustic insulation.
It can help prevent the spread of flames and toxic gases through gaps, cracks, joints and other building components in the event of a fire.
Firestop materials are typically made from mineral fibre board, intumescent sealant or mortar, gypsum boards and expanded metal lath. These materials can be used alone or in combination with each other for increased fire resistance.
Is Mineral Wool A Firestop?
Mineral wool is an effective firestop material, since it is non-combustible and will not support a flame. It can act as an insulator against heat during a fire, helping to prevent the spread of flames from one area to another.
Additionally, mineral wool provides excellent acoustic insulation due to its fibrous structure and has the ability to provide thermal protection by trapping air in its fibers.
Mineral wool is typically installed within stud walls or ceilings between two levels for fire stopping purposes. It also works with other fireproof products such as drywall and joint compound for complete fire protection in any room.
