Services passing through walls and floors can compromise the continuity of a fire-separating element. To maintain its performance in the event of a fire, the points where cables, pipes and other services pass through must be protected with appropriate firestopping systems.
We deliver comprehensive firestop penetration seals for services routed through walls and floors. Our solutions are matched to the type of service, the construction of the wall or floor and the required level of fire protection.
Fire resistance class of a penetration seal
Requirements for a seal are defined, among other things, by its fire resistance class. Penetration seals are classified as EI, where:
- E – integrity – the seal limits the passage of flames and hot fire gases,
- I – insulation – it limits the temperature rise on the other side of the wall or floor,
- the numerical value – the time, in minutes, for which the required properties should be maintained during a fire.
Cross-section: service penetration through a wall
EI 240 both criteria met
Standard fire curve (ISO 834)
drag across the chart
- E Integrity
- No flames or hot gases pass through to the unexposed side – among other things, the test checks whether a cotton pad held against it ignites.
- I Insulation
- The temperature on the unexposed side rises only within a limited range – by no more than 180 K at the measuring points.
- 60–240 Time in minutes
- How long the protection meets both criteria while the furnace temperature rises along the standard fire curve.
Typical classes in practice include EI 60, EI 120 and EI 240. The required value is determined by the design documentation, the properties of the wall or floor and the tested system used.
The sealing method depends primarily on the type of service passing through. Cables and cable trays may call for one solution, while pipes made of combustible or non-combustible materials may require another.
Our work covers:
- electrical services – cables, wiring, cable trays and cable ladders,
- plumbing and drainage – combustible and non-combustible pipes,
- air-conditioning services – ducts and pipework,
- mixed penetrations – several different services routed through a single opening.
We install cable, pipe and mixed penetration seals up to fire resistance class EI 240, in both rigid and flexible walls and floors.
Selecting the right system
We do not apply a one-size-fits-all solution to every type of penetration. Each seal requires an assessment of the specific case. When selecting the method, we take into account factors such as the type and diameter of the service, the number of cables, the size of the opening, the type and thickness of the wall or floor, and the required fire resistance class.
On this basis, we select the appropriate firestopping system and installation method, so that the wall or floor retains its required performance and the penetration is properly sealed.
We seal service penetrations in residential, industrial, office, service and commercial buildings.
