Fire protection triangle
Firestop: an often misunderstood and misused term. It is a concept relatively new to the building industry and only defined in the model building codes for the last few editions. There are several questions typically associated with firestop and how it is used in today's building construction.
Why is firestopping so important?
Life safety is something none of us can take for granted. When considering design, installation or use of a telecommunication/electrical system, one must consider the concept of a passive fire protection system - especially firestop. Fire loss data shows that nearly 70% of all building-related deaths are directly associated to smoke inhalation. Most victims are not even located in the same room or on the same floor as the fire's origin. In order to reduce the likelihood of smoke inhalation-deaths, these products of combustion must be contained in the area of origin. This is known as compartmentalization, a concept which has seen an increasing role in the last few editions of the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101).
What are the benefits of compartmentalization?
When the correct use of fire-rated walls/floors are combined with firestop systems, the concept of compartmentalization is attained. By achieving this goal we:
- limit the rate at which a fire will spread once it has begun
- minimize (or reduce) the risk to occupants and property
- aid in the attempt to extinguish the fire
- can utilize "protect-in-place" design where it is difficult to move occupants under fire conditions (hospitals, jails, etc.)
- provide a protected access for occupants to exit and fire personnel to enter
Why is firestopping so important?
Life safety is something none of us can take for granted. When considering design, installation or use of a telecommunication/electrical system, one must consider the concept of a passive fire protection system - especially firestop. Fire loss data shows that nearly 70% of all building-related deaths are directly associated to smoke inhalation. Most victims are not even located in the same room or on the same floor as the fire's origin. In order to reduce the likelihood of smoke inhalation-deaths, these products of combustion must be contained in the area of origin. This is known as compartmentalization, a concept which has seen an increasing role in the last few editions of the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101).
What are the benefits of compartmentalization?
When the correct use of fire-rated walls/floors are combined with firestop systems, the concept of compartmentalization is attained. By achieving this goal we:
- limit the rate at which a fire will spread once it has begun
- minimize (or reduce) the risk to occupants and property
- aid in the attempt to extinguish the fire
- can utilize "protect-in-place" design where it is difficult to move occupants under fire conditions (hospitals, jails, etc.)
- provide a protected access for occupants to exit and fire personnel to enter
What is firestop?
Simply defined, firestop is a product that, when installed properly with other components, impedes the passage of fire, smoke and water from one side of a wall or floor assembly to another. The firestop product may exist as a sealant (caulk), foam, mortar, mechanical device (firestop collar), foam block or pillow. It may be installed over a backing material such as mineral wool, foam or backer rod, depending on the product and application.
What if there is a sprinkler system installed? Do I still need to firestop?
If a sprinkler system is planned or installed in a building, one major part of fire protection triangle is completed. This type of system is designed to provide a quick response and extinguish a fire that would other-wise burn for some time until the fire department was notified and performed their function. However, there are still two areas of the fire protection triangle that are missing; detection and containment (compartmentalization). Without these items, we are not using all of our resources to provide the occupants and property with complete fire protection. Even when a fire has started and is quickly extinguished, it may still have time to produce smoke and toxic gases. These products of combustion will roam freely without any containment.
Another concern with sprinkler systems is the possibility that they may not perform as designed. This "failure" can be caused by several factors:
- malfunction within the system itself
- human error - water supply shut off
- change in occupancy
- change in designed fire load
It is critical, therefore, that all available areas of fire protection be evaluated in the design and building process.
Simply defined, firestop is a product that, when installed properly with other components, impedes the passage of fire, smoke and water from one side of a wall or floor assembly to another. The firestop product may exist as a sealant (caulk), foam, mortar, mechanical device (firestop collar), foam block or pillow. It may be installed over a backing material such as mineral wool, foam or backer rod, depending on the product and application.
What if there is a sprinkler system installed? Do I still need to firestop?
If a sprinkler system is planned or installed in a building, one major part of fire protection triangle is completed. This type of system is designed to provide a quick response and extinguish a fire that would other-wise burn for some time until the fire department was notified and performed their function. However, there are still two areas of the fire protection triangle that are missing; detection and containment (compartmentalization). Without these items, we are not using all of our resources to provide the occupants and property with complete fire protection. Even when a fire has started and is quickly extinguished, it may still have time to produce smoke and toxic gases. These products of combustion will roam freely without any containment.
Another concern with sprinkler systems is the possibility that they may not perform as designed. This "failure" can be caused by several factors:
- malfunction within the system itself
- human error - water supply shut off
- change in occupancy
- change in designed fire load
It is critical, therefore, that all available areas of fire protection be evaluated in the design and building process.