The Dangers of Keeping Your Fire Wall Penetrations Unsealed
10 May 2022When constructing a building, contractors normally must follow the safety standards set by the state and other governing bodies. The primary purpose of adhering to the standards and regulations is to keep the properties safe. By following them, contractors and building owners can easily protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the occupants and people nearby.
One aspect of the standards that contractors should incorporate is the existence of firewalls. Firewalls are fire-resistance-rated walls that possess protected openings or penetrations. These walls are designed to prevent the spread of fire in various building areas. They must also remain in place whenever a fire emergency occurs, making sure that property occupants can evacuate safely while firefighters enter the property and put out the fire swiftly.
Missing Fire Stopped Utilities
Fire stopping is one of the primary elements of passive fireproofing. This process involves the filling of openings and penetrations between walls and floors with fire-resistant products. Once the products have been applied, the spread of fire between these property parts can be impeded effectively.
Firewalls have been thoroughly tested so they can be effective in preventing a fire from spreading and remaining in place during a fire. However, if the electrical cables, conduit pipes, and plumbing lines have not been fire stopped properly, the effectiveness of firewalls can decrease significantly. Firewalls can also be ineffective if their penetrations have not been fire stopped effectively.
Failure to fire stop these elements can be a serious safety risk for properties. And since fire stopping these elements is required by most standards and building codes, property owners and other involved contractors may face hefty consequences.
Risks of Unsealed Openings
The lack of fire stopping products in utility components and firewall penetrations can lead to safety risks.
One of the safety risks it can bring to a property is the quick spread of fire. Without any fire stopping element, a fire generated from a room may easily infiltrate other building areas. As the fire grows, rooms and spaces may eventually be filled with smoke and toxic elements that can harm people inside. The rising temperature of the building can then burn more things until the whole building is consumed entirely.
A fire that has spread entirely on a building can be devastating. Without a prompt response, the lack of sealed openings and fireproofed utility lines can cost significant property damage. It can likewise lead to injuries and even loss of life.
Diminish the Spread of Fire
A lot of things can be done to avoid the safety risks of fire spread. For one, the firewall penetrations must be sealed by a reputable contractor with approved and tested sealing products. The sealed penetrations must then possess some sticker that indicates the manufacturing date, resistance rating, and manufacturer of the fire stopping material. Take note that the fire stopping material should have a similar fire rating as the surrounding construction to make it effective.
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