Fire Proofing
Fire Proofing
Fire stopping is an area of fire proofing to retard the spread of fire through various penetrations commonly occurring in buildings, such as cable trays, conduits, pipework, drainage systems, wiring etc. It is used to form a seal around every service penetration in walls and floors.
As with all the minimum provisions listed in Schedule A of the AD B, fire ratings are based on testing to the relevant part of BS476 or the equivalent European standard.
Fireproof insulation is insulation made of a fire retardant material. It is important, when looking at materials, to understand that fireproof insulation types may only be most effective at certain temperatures.
Once those temperatures are exceeded, the entire material could be broken down and the fireproof insulation would become ineffective.
Fibreglass should only be used to temperatures up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100º Celsius). Glass wool may be used between 212º Fahrenheit (100º Celsius) and 1,220º F (660º C). Many types of polymers are rated for temperatures up to 2,220º F (1,215º C).
When considering fireproof insulation, it is important to consider what the insulation will need to resist and endure on a daily basis. Once that is determined, it is then possible to choose materials and types. For a building, fireproof insulation can come in the form of foam boards, rolls or loose foam insulation that is often sprayed into an area such as a wall.