A Firestop Sealant is a passive and effective fire protection solution seal the small gaps like electrical cables, ducts, and civil pipes, among others, passing through the walls and building floors. These penetration seals are used to close small spaces (approximately 4-6 cm) between building structures. The purpose of using firestop sealants is to prevent the fire from spreading across different areas of a building. For example, if the reception area of a hotel has caught fire, the firestop sealants that have sealed the small gaps will prevent fire and smoke from traveling from that area to the other compartments of the building. 


Types of Firestop Sealants:


There are three main types of firestop sealants:


Intumescent: Best-suited for plastic materials and pipes, Intumescent Firestop Sealants are mostly used around materials that pass floors and walls. When exposed to heat, Intumescent sealants expand, resulting in enhanced volume and reduced density. This seal is used keeping the size of the pipe in mind to ensure that the expanded intumescent material is will seal the pipe diameter opening.


Silicone: This type of penetration seal is extremely effective to prevent fire and smoke from traveling from the place of fire origin to other areas for a specific time. Silicone firestop sealants are resistant to weathering and moisture and are elastic. They can be used in both high and low temperatures and are mostly purchased by hospitals and hotels. 


Ablative: This type of firestop sealant helps in case of sudden fire, especially at a place with valuable items. They consume the entire heat energy from the fire and provide more time for a safe and complete fire evacuation of the building before the fire spreads further. They work by absorbing the energy of the fire, eventually protecting what's underneath. 


Final Takeaway

Passive fire protection systems and products such as firestop sealants, fire resistant boards, and Curtain Wall Firestop Systems, among others protect people from loss of life and injuries during a fire breakout. Using these