Fire Stop Systems; A Key Element To The Designs Of Buildings
3 min read
Are you constructing a new commercial building? Have you ever thought of installing a form of passive fire protection? Do you know that fire stop systems are a key element to the designs of all commercial buildings these days? As a matter of fact, the risk of a life-threatening fire increases in more concentrated environments. To minimize the risk and protect people’s lives, firestop systems in buildings is essential. Fire protection has become increasingly popular these days to limit the spread of fire in case of any mishap.
What is a firestop system?
There is no denying that fire protection is one of the higher priorities of commercial construction projects these days. You can’t put people’s lives at stake by not installing the fire protection system in the building. For those who don’t know fore stop system is the form of passive fire protection. It consists of tested:
- Fire resistive constriction
- Expansion/gap joints
- Penetrating items(s)
The owner of the building or the building manager must be aware of the fact that without having a fire stopping system, they put the lives of thousands at stake. They must know the importance of a good fore stopping system.
Firestop barriers and components:
Firestop barriers are designed to prevent the spread of toxic smoke, gases, and flame through openings created by plumbing and HVAC work.
The firestop keeps a building and the people inside it safe from the spread of smoke or fire. Recently the fire accidents in commercial buildings have increased. So, it has become the need of the time to have the fire stop system in the buildings. It is a system that contains the products that are used to seal the:
- Opening against fire
- Temperature transmission
- Fire test assembly air leakage
Now let’s take a quick look at the different firestop components:
- Curtain wall:
It is a thin wall framed with aluminum and has in-fills of small stones, glass, or metal panels.
- Slab edge:
It is the main area for smoke and fire to move between the rooms of the building.
- Top of a wall:
A small gap is created at the top of the wall that lets the smoke and fire travel between the rooms.
- Fire-rated expansion joints:
They are used to protect the joints between the walls and floor assemblies.
- Pipe penetration:
It seals the openings created by plumbing or HVAC work. If these opening are not sealed, they make the building vulnerable and risk of spreading fore increase even more.
- Fire-rated backer rods:
It is a workable mineral-based backing material that is used for joint sealing in vertical and horizontal building structures. It is wrapped with a glass fiber yarn and is easy to apply.
Summing up:
Firestop systems in buildings are the need of the time as the risk of life-threatening fires has increased due to urbanization. So, it is highly important to take measures to minimize the risk of fire to protect the lives of hundreds of people.
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