Passive Fire Protection

PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION

ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION
Fire protection can be categorized into active and passive protection. Active fire protection systems are those that are on full-time duty, such as a sprinkler system. These systems have saved thousands of lives over the years and have been a successful tool against fire. However, an over-reliance on active fire protection is not acceptable in terms of controlling fire damage. Sprinklers do not control the migration of flames and deadly smoke and toxic gases. Furthermore, the level of protection provided by sprinklers can be affected by human error and improper installation, aging systems that have not been properly maintained, or systems that have been damaged by remodeling or reconstruction.

PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION
Passive fire protection systems are those that allow a fire to act upon the system itself, to compartmentalize and contain the fire to save lives and to protect the structure. Passive fire protection is made up of both firestopping and fireproofing. Fire Stop Technologies, Inc. provides consulting and installation for these applications.

Firestopping

Firestopping is the containment of fire or smoke through rated assemblies by the application of tested fire rated assemblies. There are four primary types of openings or joints associated with fire and smoke resistive rated assemblies, to which tested firestopping systems may be applied to prevent the spread of fire, smoke or gases:

Joints - Joints between fire rated construction components (e.g. wall/wall, wall/floor, wall/ceiling
Floor Perimeters - Slab edge / exterior wall cavity
Penetrations - Openings containing mechanical, electrical, structural, security, communication, piping or wiring
Blank Openings - Openings in fire rated assemblies with no penetration items.

Materials from various manufacturers, applied by Fire Stop Technologies Inc., contain and control fires by sealing service penetrations and apertures in the walls and floor slabs of a building, literally converting the building into a series of fireproof boxes. Fire, smoke, and gases can't escape and damage is confined to that unit.

3-M Products and Firestop Systems supplies and applied by Fire Stop Technologies Inc. protect structural steel, cable raceways, conduit and a wide array of through penetrations and blank openings.

Fireproofing

Fireproofing is the application of a spray-applied material to a rated floor, roof, and/or column assembly to protect the structural steel of the building for a given period of time. At temperatures of 800 - 1,000 degrees F., steel can bend and buckle under the load of the building, with possible collapse ensuing. Spray-applied intumescent paints and spray-applied fire resistive material cling to the steel, preserving its strength. These materials prevent heat damage to the steel, providing valuable evacuation time for occupants and firefighters, and protecting property. The individual steel members hold so the building retains its structural integrity.

Fire Stop Technologies Inc. applies W.R. Grace's cementitious products. These products meet or exceed all recommended performance standards, providing fire ratings of up to 4 hours. Cementitious fireproofing has time and again out performed other types of fireproofing. Fire Stop Technologies also applies intumescent paints from various manufacturers depending on the particular application.