Passive Firestop Protection in Class 2-9 Buildings

Passive Firestop Protection in Class 2-9 Buildings is an important design consideration to ensure the overall fire safety of the building, as it preserves compartmentation when services need to pass through a fire rated wall or floor. The Architect plays a key role in ensuring the correct passive fire protection product and systems are specified and therefore used in the overall design. This requires knowledge of the different Fire Resistance Levels required by each building type, class, and role of the building element in the building function.

Passive Firestop is also related to building acoustics as penetrations and construction gaps are weak points and need adequate treatment to ensure good acoustic performance. Acoustics are related to building movement - if penetration and joints have been treated with product that cannot sustain that movement and subsequently crack, then not only is acoustic performance lost, but so is the fire resistance as integrity is compromised.

This presentation will cover how the Architect can get that balance right and ensure that the design is carried through to construction. Finally, the extent of embodied carbon in typical passive firestop products and systems will be covered, giving the Architect a clear view of how to reduce the related footprint.