What is firestopping?
Firestopping is put in place to ensure that there is no passing of flame or smoke between compartmentation of the building. This is to ensure the route of escape in the event of a fire is not compromised as the fire is contained.
Can you repair existing firestopping installed by another company?
Repairs can be made to existing firestopping installed by others, but certification will not be provided. Materials manufacturers can not be mixed and we will not certify works installed by others. Removal and replacing of existing firestopping is the only way certification can be provided. Repairs and certification can be provided only when we ourselves have installed the existing fire stopping seal.
What compromises compartmentation?
For example, a service riser within a block of flats will have services and voids that pass through compartment walls, floors and soffits. These areas must be fire stopped in order to contain the fire and stop the spread of flame and smoke to floors above, below and communal areas. Service voids and penetrations are sealed with fire rated materials that can provided 30 to 240 minutes of fire resistances depending on the substrate they are fixed to. Firestopping is only as strong as the fire rating of the substrate fitting to.
Who is in charge of ensuring that the firestopping works carried out are compliant?
All works undertaken are logged to IFC , who are an independent UKAS accredited provider of high quality customer focused third party certification in support of fire safety and security, prior to any works starting. IFC will audit as and when they see fit, to ensure that all works carried out by AEFS Services conform to material manufacture test evidence/ installation details.
