After a contractor has finished building the walls, ceilings and floors that constitute a firesafe compartment, the building still needs firestopping. Every installer who creates a penetration through an existing fire-rated compartment leaves holes, gaps, joints or cavities in walls, ceilings or floors. Each of these penetrations can spread a fire to the neighbouring compartments. If penetrations or gaps are not properly sealed with approved fire sealants, collars or coatings, the fire will spread and destroy other parts of the building.
Bear in mind that every service installation that penetrates through the fire-rated compartment reacts differently in case of fire. Firestopping cannot be a one-size-fits-all system, solution or product that protects all service installations. The system must be tailored for different types of construction elements. Therefore, there is such a broad range of Promat firestopping products, each tested for a specific use.
Unprotected spaces or cavities that are hidden in the structure of the building provide a dangerous path for the spread of smoke and fire. This is especially true in the case of gaps and joints in, above and below walls, floors, ceilings, roofs and façades. Because these gaps and joints are concealed, they pose an even greater threat than do the more obvious weaknesses in the structure of the building.
Your firestopping solution should include "fire protective products"
In European countries always make sure you install ‘fire protective products’ which have the CE marking for the intended use. Such products are based upon a harmonised European Standard (EN), if available, or a European Technical Assessment (ETA). This shows that fire tests have been assessed and approved by a certified body, the quality control process is constantly monitored and the durability of the products is declared and controlled by a third party. Every product with a CE marking is accompanied by a Declaration of Performance (DoP), which lists the essential performance properties linked to the product. Fire properties and performances described in the Declaration are a summary out of the classification report based on tests and the Exposure Assessment Program (EXAP), if applicable. Moreover, the DoP contains important information about the constancy of performance of the product (AVCP). A DoP document gives you everything you need to be compliant with local legal requirements in Europe and contains vital information about the products for the rest of the world. Besides the DoP, the supplier of the product needs to provide the installation guidelines and the safety data sheet of the product in the local language.
For other regions ensure compatibility with local test standards and building regulations.
Make sure your firestopping systems and products are independently validated
Promat even goes further and performs additional testing which exceeds the basic regulatory requirements to ensure our firestopping products and systems will live up to their promise in real fire situations.
Fire tests and sometimes also classification reports are industrial property, with some details and information treated as non-public. The owner is not obliged to show these documents to the customer. However, the fact that these reports are validated by an official independent third party means they have 100% credibility.
These are the 8 most common mistakes you should avoid to get the perfect firestopping solution.
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