Importance of dynamic movement in fire stopping

FSi Promat has launched a white paper highlighting the impact dynamic movement can have on the effectiveness of penetration seals and ways to ensure passive fire protection remains compliant for the lifetime of a building, as reported by FSi Promat.

Dynamic movement in buildings can cause breaches, tears, and cracks in construction materials, including fire stopping used to contain the spread of flames, smoke, heat, and toxic gases.

Despite the serious potential impact on building safety, accommodating dynamic movement in fire stopping plans is often overlooked.

Existing standards and the need for flexibility

Approved Document B (fire safety) mandates the need for an “appropriate fire seal” that will last for the building’s lifetime.

However, no formal testing mechanism under the EN1366-3 standard or European Technical Assessment (ETA) exists specifically for movement within penetration seals, leading to this element often falling out of the scope of building design.

The new white paper, ‘Managing Movement: Accommodating dynamic movement in fire stopping for penetration seals,’ examines the impact of movement on fire stopping, existing legislation, guidance on the issue, and FSi Promat’s engineered solution, along with the evaluation supporting it.

Insights from FSi Promat

Craig Abbott, Technical Director at FSi Promat, part of the Etex group, explained: “Service penetrations are part and parcel of construction and must be accommodated within passive fire protection utilising appropriate fire stopping systems.

“However, where movement is present in a building, it is essential that sufficient flexibility is built into this system to mitigate the effects of dynamic movement on the performance of the penetration seal.”

Abbott further emphasised the importance of early engagement with manufacturers to address issues such as movement effectively and ensure lifetime compliance.a

He stated: “The white paper details the work we have undertaken to successfully demonstrate how movement of +/- 25 per cent can be accommodated with the right fire stopping solution.”

Download the white paper

For more information about the impact of dynamic movement on fire stopping in penetration seals and to find a solution to maintain compliance, download the white paper here.