Fire Stopping for Fire Dampers

Firestopping is the process of sealing openings and joints in fire-resisting walls and floors to prevent the passage of fire, smoke, and hot gases. It is used wherever services such as pipes, cables, cable trays, conduits, fire dampers, and ducts pass through fire compartment walls or floors.

What is Fire Stopping?

The purpose of firestopping is to restore the fire resistance of the wall or floor after it has been penetrated, helping to contain a fire within the compartment where it starts for the required period (for example, 30, 60, or 120 minutes).

Common firestopping products include:

  • Fire-resistant sealants and mastics
  • Intumescent collars for plastic pipes
  • Intumescent wraps
  • Fire batt systems
  • Fire rated plasterboard
  • Fire-resistant mortar
  • Fire pillows and blocks (for temporary or removable openings)

For firestopping to be effective, it should:

  • Be suitable for the type of service and opening.
  • Be tested and approved for the specific application.
  • Be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Be inspected and maintained if the penetration is altered.

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    Why Do I Need Firestopping?

    Firestopping around services, including fire dampers, passing through fire compartment walls and floors is vital because it maintains the fire resistance of the compartment, preventing the spread of fire, smoke, and hot gases through openings created for pipes, cables, ducts, and other services.

    Without effective firestopping:

    • Fire and smoke can spread rapidly to adjacent compartments.
    • The building’s compartmentation strategy is compromised.
    • Occupants have less time to evacuate safely.
    • Firefighters face greater risks.
    • Property damage and business disruption can be significantly increased.

    Is Fire Stopping a Legal Requirement?

    Yes. Firestopping is effectively a legal requirement in the UK, although the legislation does not usually use the word “firestopping” itself. Instead, the law requires buildings to maintain fire compartmentation and prevent the spread of fire and smoke, and firestopping is the accepted method of achieving this.

    In England, the main legal requirements come from:

    • The Building Regulations 2010 (Part B – Fire Safety), which require walls and floors that form fire compartments to maintain their fire resistance. Any openings for pipes, cables, ducts, or other services must be appropriately sealed with fire-resistant systems.

    • Approved Document B, which provides statutory guidance on complying with Part B and specifically addresses the firestopping of service penetrations to preserve the fire resistance of compartment walls and floors.

    • The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which places a duty on the responsible person for most non-domestic buildings and the common parts of residential buildings to maintain fire safety measures, including the integrity of compartmentation.

    What this means in practice

    If a contractor installs services, that can include fire dampers, through a fire-resisting wall or floor, they must restore the fire resistance using a tested and appropriately installed firestopping system.

    Leaving gaps around penetrations or using unsuitable materials can result in non-compliance with Building Regulations and may lead to enforcement action.

    Understanding Firestopping Requirements

    What?

    Firestopping is the installation of tested fire-resistant materials around service penetrations and construction joints to maintain the fire resistance of walls and floors and prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

    Why?

    Firestopping restores the fire-resisting performance of walls and floors where service penetrations have been made, helping to contain a fire to its area of origin for the designed period of fire resistance.

    Law?

    Firestopping is a legal requirement in the UK because Building Regulations require fire compartmentation to be maintained. All service penetrations through fire-resisting walls and floors must be adequately fire stopped to prevent the spread of fire and smoke and preserve the required fire resistance of the compartment.