REGULATIONS & GUIDANCE

FIRE STOPPING REGULATIONS & GUIDANCE

Fire stopping plays a crucial role in sealing openings within buildings to impede the spread of fire, smoke, and heat between different compartments. By effectively containing fires, it prevents their horizontal and vertical propagation, thereby safeguarding both the structure and its occupants.

To ensure compliance with fire safety standards, fire-stopping applications must adhere to a variety of regulations, codes of practice, and standards. This guide aims to provide building owners and fire safety personnel with an overview of fire stopping and the most pertinent regulations governing it.

1. Importance of Fire Stopping

Proper installation and maintenance of fire stopping are vital for preserving a building's integrity and ensuring the safety of its occupants. By halting the spread of fire through various building components, fire stopping mitigates the risk of damage to property and assets, as well as the threat to human life. Additionally, it aids emergency responders in containing fires, allowing them crucial time to reach and extinguish the blaze.

Regular assessment of fire stopping measures post-installation is imperative to ensure ongoing compliance with fire safety regulations and to mitigate liability in the event of a fire.

2. Understanding Fire Stopping Regulations

Since the Grenfell incident, significant revisions have been made to fire protection regulations. It's essential for industry professionals, including project managers and site teams, to stay abreast of these updates to prioritize compliance when implementing passive fire protection initiatives.

Regulations vary based on factors such as building size and usage. Let's delve into how fire stopping aligns with relevant fire protection legislation in the UK:

Approved Document B: Applicable to both residential and non-residential buildings, this document mandates fire prevention measures to halt the spread of fire, tailored to the building's intended use and size.
Building Fire Safety Act: Enforced from October 2024, this Act applies to most buildings, excluding private homes. It imposes financial responsibility on landlords and developers for non-compliance and mandates the appointment of fire safety managers for buildings exceeding seven stories.
Fire Safety Act 2021: Introduced to address gaps in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, this act requires fire stopping measures in all residential buildings and mandates the commissioning of fire risk assessments by the responsible person.
BS 7671:2018: These regulations govern electrical system installation and performance concerning fire safety, ensuring wiring systems remain intact during fires.

3. Materials Used in Fire Stopping

Various materials contribute to fire stopping systems, including:

Cement mortar
Gypsum-based plaster
Vermiculite/perlite mixes
Glass fibre
Proprietary fire-stopping and sealing systems

These materials are utilized to maintain fire resistance by sealing joints in fire-separating elements such as walls and floors, and around openings for pipes, cables, or other items passing through these elements.

4. Types of Fire Stopping Measures

Multiple fire stopping measures are essential for a comprehensive fire stopping system, tailored to the building's purpose:

Intumescent Coatings: These coatings swell in response to high temperatures, providing thermal insulation to structures.
Fire Doors: Designed to safeguard occupants and provide a safe escape route, fire doors are made from materials such as steel or timber and fitted with intumescent seals.
Fire Rated Partitions: These partitions contain the spread of fire through the use of fire-resistant materials and sealing techniques.
Fire Barriers: Positioned externally, fire barriers prevent fires and smoke from spreading in hard-to-reach areas.

5. Fire Stopping Installation and Maintenance

Professional installation and regular maintenance of fire stopping systems are imperative to uphold their effectiveness and comply with fire safety regulations.

Professionals must correctly identify fire stop requirements, select appropriate materials, and install them in accordance with relevant codes and manufacturer instructions.

Key aspects of installation and maintenance include scheduled inspections, documentation, penetration management, and prompt replacement or repair of damaged systems.

6. Challenges in Fire Stopping

Fire stopping presents unique challenges, particularly with complex building designs and retrofitting existing structures. Challenges include variations in penetrations, limited access, compatibility issues, structural modifications, concealed conditions, and integration with existing building systems.

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive understanding of fire stopping principles, building codes, and industry best practices, as well as engagement with experienced fire protection professionals.

In Summary

Fire stopping is integral to building fire protection efforts, although installing systems around complex designs and retrofitting existing structures can present challenges. Engaging knowledgeable professionals ensures compliance and enhances safety, protecting occupants and mitigating the risk of fire spread.

For expert fire stopping installation and maintenance services, consider Air3fire. With our expertise, we ensure code compliance and maximum safety for your building. Contact us today to discuss your fire stopping needs and safeguard your occupants, property, and assets from the threat of fire.

Sources Used to Construct this Guide:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-act-2021

https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/industries-and-sectors/construction-and-b uilding/requirements-for-electrical-installations-iet-wiring-regulations/