New firestopping tests could change how engineers design with cellular beams
Iain Hoey
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Promat and FSi Promat develop cellular beam firestopping solution
Promat has reported the launch of a new firestopping system designed for use with cellular steel beams in the UK.
According to Promat, the tested solution has been developed in collaboration with its sister company FSi Promat and independently evaluated in laboratory settings.
The system allows building services to pass through openings in cellular beams while maintaining compartmentation performance of up to 120 minutes.
Promat explained that protecting structural steel is essential to maintaining the stability of a building during fire incidents, giving time for occupants to evacuate and for fire services to respond.
The company stated that the new solution helps meet the guidance of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) yellow book, which requires specific testing for cellular beams due to their different performance under fire compared with solid beams.
Fire testing and compliance
Promat reported that it worked with independent laboratories to develop a testing methodology that accounts for the unique properties of cellular beams.
The company said the solution was tested to BS EN 1363-1 integrity and insulation requirements.
It added that the combination of Promat and FSi Promat systems was shown to maintain compartmentation for up to 120 minutes under laboratory conditions.
According to the business, cellular beams lose structural integrity at lower temperatures than solid beams, requiring tailored firestopping strategies.
The organisation indicated that the tested method closes openings in beams with Stopseal Batt and Pyrocoustic sealant and uses VERMICULUX-S to box in steel sections.
Structural considerations in building projects
Josh Slack, Commercial Director at Promat, said: “Used frequently in construction, cellular beams use less steel than solid beams to span greater distances and allow services to pass through, which supports space efficient design and ease of application.
“However, this material difference in the steel needs to be accommodated when protecting steel structures from the threat of fire.
“Even where services are not passing through the openings, cellular beams will typically require a greater board thickness.
“Specifiers need to take this into account when planning special co-ordination. Promat can assist with this determining the thickness of board required for different cellular beams, ideally at an early stage in the project.”
Joint development with FSi Promat
According to Promat, the system was co-developed with FSi Promat to integrate firestopping within steelwork protection.
Craig Abbott, Technical Director at FSi Promat, said: “In testing a batt and mastic solution within the frames we have built in the usability that contractors want to see from cellular beams whilst maintaining a high level of passive fire protection.
“Accommodating service penetrations is part and parcel of building design, and the better equipped we are to provide a tested solution to support the various installations used, the easier specification becomes.
“It is great to be able to offer a joint approach to support integrated testing to provide a go-to solution for protecting cellular beams in the event of a fire.”
Guidance for specifiers and contractors
Promat explained that cellular beams often require more complex fire protection strategies than solid beams.
The organisation noted that the tested system gives designers and contractors a reference solution for projects where services must run through beams along compartment lines.
It reported that the tested solution helps address a gap in formal BS EN standards covering compartmentation in steelwork protection.
The company advised that early coordination is important to ensure board thickness and detailing meet performance expectations for different beam specifications.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The development is relevant for fire engineers and safety professionals responsible for building compliance and design review.
It provides a tested system option for projects using cellular beams where service penetrations cross compartment lines.
The testing adds reference data where current BS EN standards do not fully cover cellular steel beam firestopping.
This information may assist professionals in specification, inspection and compliance verification.
Promat and FSi Promat develop cellular beam firestopping solution: Summary
Promat has reported a new firestopping system for cellular steel beams in the UK.
The solution was developed with FSi Promat and tested in independent laboratories.
It maintains compartmentation for up to 120 minutes.
The system uses Stopseal Batt, Pyrocoustic sealant and VERMICULUX-S.
Testing was aligned with ASFP yellow book guidance and BS EN 1363-1.
Cellular beams lose integrity faster than solid beams under fire conditions.
The solution was developed due to the lack of a BS EN standard for compartmentation in cellular beams.
Josh Slack of Promat said cellular beams require special consideration in fire protection design.
Craig Abbott of FSi Promat said the solution combines usability with passive protection.
Promat reported that the tested solution offers contractors a method to protect beams while allowing services to pass through.
The companies said it supports building projects needing firestopping at compartment lines.
Promat noted that early specification helps determine board thickness for different beam types.
The testing was confirmed to maintain compartmentation for 120 minutes.
The development is aimed at assisting compliance in fire engineering projects.
It provides reference data for safety professionals working with cellular beam construction.