FIRESTOPPING

FIRESTOPPING BY AMERISEAL

Firestopping - What is it and when do buildings in Ohio, West Virginia, or Pennsylvania need it?


   Firestopping is the process of filling through-penetrations and joints around a fire barrier with fire-resistant materials, to prevent smoke, gases, and heat from escaping into other rooms.  Firestops help the fire barrier to maintain its fire retaining abilities so that people have more time to get out safely, and so that the building survives the fire with as much of it intact as possible.  It is based on compartmentalization, meaning that the building is purposely divided into sections of separate fireproof areas.


   Because even fire barriers need to have duct work, electric cabling, and pipes running through them, called through-penetrations, any opening around these must be sealed with extra care (Firestopping, or Firestops).  The materials used inside firestopping systems either expand when heated, so that as they expand, they make an air tight seal or, the materials conform around the cable or pipe to create an air tight seal all the time.  The firestopping seal will prevent any smoke, gasses, and even heat, from exiting the room where the fire is located.  This is all so that the fire barrier does not lose its ability to prevent a fire from passing through it, this includes the smoke and heat released, because they are just as deadly.


   AmeriSeal and Restoration, located in Akron Ohio, has been helping businesses and construction companies all over Ohio with their firestopping needs for over 20 years.  AmeriSeal and Restoration uses the latest technology, products, and methods to provide the best possible service to you and your buildings, so that in the event of a fire emergency, those inside have the most time to evacuate safely.  There is a firestopping technique and system for just about any sized space or gap that a person can think of in an Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia construction setting.

Firestopping applied to a firewall inside of a commercial building

The Firestopping Plan


   A plan to apply firestopping needs to be well thought out and organized, there are many types of joints and through-penetrations, as well as many kinds of firestopping material, each one has a way that it should be used and the AmeriSeal and Restoration team knows them all, as well as all of the regulations for commercial firestopping in Ohio.


   Each of our crew is fully trained and continuing education is a requirement, so that every person on the team knows the most up-to-date methods, how to use any new devices, and how to remain in compliance for localities in Ohio.

Expertly applied firestopping by Ameriseal

Here are a couple of examples to show the type of planning and training that goes into firestopping (and these are just some of the products we use)


  • There are pre-molded firestop plugs, blocks, and cushions that we use for certain wires and small pipes.


  • We have endothermic mats for wrapping infrastructure that needs to stay functioning, even during the high temperatures of a fire.


  • We use foams, sprays, and sealants to fill in odd shaped gaps or long runs with many pipes.


  • We have different sized wraps and collars for circular pipes


  • And even putty for use around small cables and boxes.


This means that whatever your firestopping needs, AmeriSeal and Restoration has a solution for your building or addition.

What parts of a commercial building in Ohio require firestopping?

Some of the best firestopping applied in the business at the May Company in Cleveland!

Through-penetrations


A through-penetration is an opening purposely left in a fire rated wall so that a pipe, cable, or other object may pass through it.  These must be sealed after assembly so that no air, and thus no smoke, can escape from the edges where the wall meets the pipe, cabling, or other object. 

Construction Joints


Construction joints are the most common gaps found in the building industry, and these are frequently needed during construction.  A construction joint is the place where two fire-resisting materials converge, more specifically, it is the gap between the two fire-resistant materials, and it needs to be sealed to prevent smoke and gasses from escaping around the firewall in the event of a fire.


There are two common types of construction joints: gaps that separate a structure and gaps that are engineered into the design for some specific purpose, such as through-penetration.  Furthermore there are two types of joints, Dynamic and Static. 


Dynamic joints are made to move, so the building can "breathe", expanding and contracting.  This means that the firestop sealant must be able to move with the building in the case of a dynamic joint.  Silicone was found to be an excellent firestopping material for dynamic joints because silicone retains the ability to move and stretch over time.  Spray applied acrylic latex sealant is the go-to firestopping material for 'long runs' where a lot of material is needed to fill a long gap, it remains flexible but not to the same extent of silicone.

High Traffic Openings


High traffic openings refer to areas with lots of cabling passing through a fire rated wall, such as Ethernet cables.  These cable configurations need to be able to be changed and retrofitted as the building ages and new technology is added.  High traffic openings should always be labled with appropriate firestopping signage, to provide guidance to the next person doing the retrofitting.

 
One of the issues we have encountered during fireproofing is that high traffic areas need to have firestopping that is reenterable, or reusable, so that as new wires and capabilities are added, the firestopping can adapt to the changes in the amount of wires.  Firestopping putty that does not cure, pathway devices, and firestopping pillows are best used in high traffic areas.

Firestop application in process at one of the schools located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
The finished product! This fireproof walls' through-penetrations are now sealed against gas, smoke, and heat. Firestopping by Ameriseal!

Types of sealant used by AmeriSeal and Restoration


  • Spray Applied Coatings: Material will stay flexible for use in Dynamic or Static Joints.  Great options for long runs and firestopping larger areas.  Product is applied with a specialized spray gun and nozzle.  This is often the most economical option for large spaces, and it can be made from silicone or acrylic latex.  *Not to be confused with spray applied fireproofing, firestopping is for smoke and gasses, fireproofing is to prevent damage to the structure from high heat*


  • Gun Grade Sealant: Best used in smaller areas, restricted ability to seal large spaces.  Product is applied via caulking gun, and is made from silicone or acrylic latex.  Silicone is durable and lasts a long time after application, but cannot be painted and is not as easily cleaned.  Silicone requires chemicals to remove and is more costly.  Latex caulk is not as flexible, but is able to be painted and clean up is as easy as rinsing under a sink.  AmeriSeal and Restoration will use the best firestopping product for the job after considering all of the options, such as clean up and painting.


  • Mineral Wool: Often used beneath the sealant, because mineral wool can withstand heat very well and will not let heat pass through easily.  When only a sealant is used for smoke and gases, heat will still make it through the firewall because the sealant was created more to control air loss than heat loss.  Mineral wool is highly heat resistant and does not melt easily because it is made from rocks.  It is compressible to fit into small openings and can be cut to fit into any sized gap, big or small.

This project was for the Cuyahoga Falls City School District

If you have a new construction project, or are renovating a building to bring it up to code, give AmeriSeal and Restoration a call for your Commercial Firestopping needs.  We are familiar with current laws and requirements in Ohio, and continuing education ensures that any new process or technology that comes to market will be well executed and up to building code. 


We have been Firestopping commercial buildings in Ohio for over 20 years, and have the products, crew, and knowledge to accomplish firestopping for any sized building or addition.


If you want to speak to someone more in-depth about our Firestopping services or have any questions, give us a call at 330-794-8040 or you can send us a message at anytime after hours and we will get back to you at the start of the next day.

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