Fire Stopping or compartmentation is defined as the sub-division of a building into smaller sections or units in order to withstand and limit the level of damage and growth from a from the event of a fire.
*PFC Technical Services LTD - CF System
Compartmentation is achieved by using fire-resisting construction materials within walls and floors (offering between 30 & 120 minutes of fire resistance) to slow down and contain the spread of fire and smoke. The two main reasons why compartmentation is so important is the aid of preservation of life and property protection. Compartmentation, like fire doors, is also used to support specific fire evacuation strategies ensuring that escape routes and high-risk or high-value areas are protected to ensure the safety of occupants and prevent extensive losses. These means of escape include both internal and external. Examples include, escape corridors, stair enclosures including ones with refuge areas and protected lobbies/ firefighting shafts. This vital support provides occupiers of the building additional time to evacuate before any vital areas are compromised by fire & smoke spread. Dangers are also decreased for the emergency Fire & Rescue Services.
Property protection is also a great purpose of compartmentation as it will limit spread and attempt to contain the fire to the location it has originated. This is very much utilised for enclosures housing fire hazards such as plant rooms or other high risk rooms. It may also be used to protect high value areas such as IT rooms, server rooms or high value storage spaces. Buildings that have more occupants and different activity natures i.e. residential or retail units, they are likely to require separation through compartment walls and floors to prevent a fire progressing to the other vital areas.
Within the Approved Document B, Volume 2 (2019) there is detailed information regarding the minimum periods of fire resistance required in buildings with different purposes and maximum permitted compartment sizes. In some instances, automatic fire suppression systems such as sprinklers may be provided where deemed necessary. This is utilised to reduce the rate and growth of fire which may also impact on permitted maximum compartment sizes.
What happens if a building doesn't have sufficient fire compartmentation?
When fire resisting constructions do not meet requirements, there are various different methods to use depending on the physical sizes, gaps and type of penetration or gaps between the elements of construction. It is a vital decision when choosing between methods as you need to ensure that the required fire resistance of the fire separating wall/floor is maintained, regardless of the original constructional breaches. Fire stopping will ensure that compartment lines are not broken and aid the delay in spread of fire, smoke and hot gases.
Fire resisting products may include:
Fire resisting boards/ panels
Mineral fibre baths cement mortar
Gypsum-based plaster
Intumescent Mastic
'Seal Bags' filled with intumescent granules
Intumescent Fire Collars
Intumescent Fire stop wraps
Any fire stopping should be carried out by a competent third-party contractor, which, like our compartmentation team, should be accredited by a third-party scheme like Warrington Fire - FIRAS scheme.
Where do our fire stopping products come from?
Here at Evolution affiliated with PFC Technical Services who provide us with quality passive fire protection systems that are supported by independent UKAS accreditation's where appropriate. We have several employees that are supported by the Warrington Fire - FIRAS scheme, so you can be assured that your compartmentation is being fitted by well trained fitters.
PFC's Specialist Products *Utilised by Evolution -
PFCTS CF System: PFCTS CF Fire Protection Systems provides a method of increasing the the fire resisting capabilities of timber floors without the need for removing ceilings. The PFCTS CF Fire Protection System has been tested in accordance with BS476 Part 21:and also EN 1365-2. (Both tests were with a 2.4kN weight load applied to the floor, all test data is current.)
PFCTS CW System: The PFCTS CW Fire Protection System provides a method of improving the fire and acoustic properties existing timber stud partitions in refurbishment projects. This system is tested in accordance with BS476:Part 22 providing a minimum 1 hour integrity and insulation.
High Grade Fire Stop Compound: The high grade fire-stop compound is used in conjunction with the PFCTS CF system for pipe penetrations through timber floors. This is easily mixed to pour or trowel, depending on the type of application. This is tested in accordance with BS 476:Part 22, the fire-stop compound provides up to 6 hours of fire protection.
PFCTS Coated Panels: PFCTS High Density Fire Protection Coated/uncoated Panel is used to firestop mechanical, electrical and plumbing services where they pass through fire rated walls. Tested in accordance with BS 476 Parts 20 & 22:1987 & EN1366 - 3:2009.
Corofil High Expansion Intumescent Sealant: This is used around service penetrations in masonry walls, concrete floors and coated panels. Tested in accordance with BS EN:1366-3, the high expansion intumescent sealant exerts a positive pressure to create a joint or smoke seal and will provide up to 2 hours fire protection.
Linear Gap Intumescent Acoustic Sealant: The Fire resistant intumescent sealant is used to seal linear gaps in horizontal and vertical constructions. This can also be used to seal small gaps around metal based service penetrations through fire resistant constructions. Tested in accordance with BS EN:1366-4, this sealant provides up to 4 hours fire protection.
Intumescent Fire Sleeve: Intumescent fire sleeves maintain thermal performance of metal and plastic pipes (copper, mild steel, PVC, uPVC, HDPE, Polybutylene and ABS - PFC must be consulted to discuss suitability) whilst providing a fire seal where pipes penetrate wall or floors. Tested in accordance with BS EN:1366-3:2009 & BS 476:Part 20:1987, the sleeves provide up to 2 hours fire protection.
Intumescent Fire-Stop Wraps: These are a simple and economic way to provide fire protection to plastic pipework in walls and floors. Tested in accordance with BS 476:Part 20 and BS EN: 1366-3. the Intumescent Pipe Wraps provide up to 4 hours protection. PFC must be consulted to discuss suitability. These are manufactured to the correct length and width to suit the outside diameter of the pipe and fire protection rating required.
Metal Cased Fire Sleeve: Metal cased Fire Sleeves Provide up to 2 hours Fire protection where metal and plastic pipes penetrate masonry/plasterboard wall and concrete floors and are available in variable sizes. They are easily fitted and have been tested to BS EN:1366-3.
Intumescent insulated Fire Sleeve: The insulated Fire Sleeves are intended for use on copper, mild steel, PVC, uPVC, HDPE, Polybutylene and ABS pipes, to maintain thermal performance whilst providing a fire rated seal in walls and floors. Tested in accordance with BS EN:1366-3:2009 and BS 476:Part 20:1987, the sleeves provide up to 2 hours fire protection. PFC must be contacted to discuss suitability.
So there, that's fire stopping for you! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact the team -
Tel: 01366 385603
Mail: info@evolution-bs.co.uk
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