Firestopping
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Fire protection systems are largely used in commercial and residential buildings, and they may be a very simple system or an integrated solution that, beyond fire sensors and fire extinguishers methods based on spraying or sprinkling adequate fluids, they include the use of materials that have high fire-resistance coefficients to delay fire propagation. These materials and their use are regulated by specific standards that, not only manufacturers use in the fabrication process (flame retardant electric cables, for example), but also service providers in systems implementations and assemblies in the field.
As, sometimes, a tube or another mechanical part has to cross a wall or floor that has special fire insulation material or that have special fire insulation resistance, it is needed to recover the original level of security of the fire system in case of maintenance, or to reach the designed level of security, so to avoid or delay the propagation of flame, smoke and heat accordingly.
Firestopping is a technique used in these cases, and it is required where mechanical penetrants traverse fire-resistance rated wall and floor assemblies, or membranes thereof. This work is usually done worldwide by the insulation trade and/or specialty firestop sub-contractors.
Read more about this topic: Plumbing