Zaid Rassool-Ali, product manager at Hilti International's regional office in Dubai, provides an insight into how firestop systems (passive fire-protection) can play a vital role in saving lives and property in various types of buildings in the event of a fire.

01 March 2003

Every seven seconds a fire breaks out somewhere in the world - that translates to four million fires, some 15,000 victims, damage costing $70 billion and immense consequential damage in a single year.

The statistics are rising and will continue to do so if no preventive measures are taken. It is wrong to assume that all outbreaks can be stopped, however. There are ways and means of reducing the damage, one of which is to use Hilti Firestop systems.

Fires which break out without warning can be caused by numerous factors, from short-circuits in damaged electric lines to arson. Once a fire breaks out in a building, it spreads rapidly due to the high pressure generated by the increase in temperature. These temperatures can exceed 1,000 deg C, causing even large, solid building components to buckle and snap like matchsticks. The fumes and gases generated can cause death in a short time. Often people in burning buildings have no chance of escape because acrid smoke makes them lose their orientation and permanently damages their respiratory systems.

Let's look at the example of a supply conduit containing many electric lines and pipes passing through all floors of a seven-storey building. If a fire breaks out, it can advance 20 m every minute through this supply conduit. The spreading fire then engulfs all seven floors in only one minute. Large supply conduits are not the only risk factor - so are the many small penetrations made after a building is finished to install electric supply lines and all other pipes. Many buildings contain what are, from a fire prevention aspect, weak points of this kind. Measures to stop fires are either not given consideration during the building-planning phase or the firestop systems are not installed properly.

There are two approaches to stopping fire in a building: one is active fire fighting, the other is the use of passive firestop systems. As smoke and toxic gases are the main causes of deaths in a fire, the use of passive fire protection systems (firestops) would make such buildings much safer to live and work in. However, using both passive and active fire protection approaches together would be ideal (one system completing the other).

Passive fire protection is designed into the structure of the building, so that if fire breaks out, it is contained within a fire compartment, surrounded by fire-resistive walls and floors. To ensure that the walls and floors maintain their fire-resistance, every opening and penetration must be sealed against the escape of fire, smoke and toxic gases. Materials such as firestops used for this purpose expand in a fire and close any gaps that might result from melted components.

A properly installed Hilti firestop system can prevent fire from spreading to a neighbouring room or to the next floor level for up to four hours - which can prove vital in allowing occupants to escape, and fire-fighters to control the fire.

The quality and excellence of Hilti Firestop products ensure that fire, smoke and toxic gases are contained to prevent the tragic loss of life and property. Through a combination of superior products, advanced knowledge and unparalleled customer service, Hilti is able to provide the highest quality firestop systems in the world.

Among the company's recent innovations are the CP620 expanding fire seal and the CP680 cast-in firestop device.

The CP620 is a comprehensive firestopping solution that has been demanded by firestop specialists and users for years. It is a universal solution for all common construction materials, is easy to use and safe in function. It can be used not just for sealing gaps but also for all kinds of service penetrations. The fast expansion of the fire seal creates reliable closing of the opening sealing, both visible and invisible gaps. The CP620 cartridge allows working intermissions without causing any effect on the material. The one-step and the fast curing of the fire seal provide very fast and simple installation without any wastage and the cured fire seal is cuttable, re-usable and repenetrable.

Hilti CP680 Cast-in firestop device is the new standard in firestopping pipes through concrete slabs with or without metal decking. The simplification of this product ensures quick and correct installation, requiring no further inspections. Having a cast in place device such as this would bring security to the specification and inspection community alike eliminating all the guess work in firestopping and inspecting. Its innovative design meets the most stringent requirements in construction, ensuring at the same time acoustic insulation as well as water and smoke seal. Pipe removal (in case of maintenance purposes) is possible during the life of the building, and can be changed from metal to plastic pipes without any further firestopping. Hilti CP680 reduces the risks associated with incorrect installation when firestopping pipes through concrete slabs. This system is the perfect and reliable partner in making specification easy and the installation faster.

Hilti offers a full line of passive fire protection systems, tested to UL1479, UL2079, UL2043, UL263, ASTM-E814, ASTM-E84, ASTM-C920, ASTM-E1399, IEC332 Part3, FM, BS476 Part20, DIN 4102, and other worldwide standards, meeting all customers' firestopping needs.

Hilti Firestop systems suit various types of applications such as for expansion and construction joints, heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) as well as electromechanical applications and many others. Each system has been optimised for the diverse requirements in buildings.

These systems not only provide fire, smoke and toxic gases containment but also ensure water-tightness and acoustic insulation.

Hilti Firestop product offerings include:
* Acrylic and silicone sealants for joints and penetrations;
* Sprayable mastics for curtain wall/cladding joints;
* Intumescent sealants and putty for penetrations;
* Coated board systems for multiple crossings;
* Fire-retardant coatings for cable runs;
* Intumescent collars/jackets for pipes;
* Cast-in devices for pipes and cable bundles;
* Intumescent wraps for pipes;
* Fire blocks/bricks for penetrations;
* Fire plugs and cushions for cable penetrations;
* Firestop mortar for penetrations;
* Putty sheets for electrical outlet boxes; and
* Expanding fire-sealant for all types of penetrations.

Hilti also offers job site support and expertise and its highly-trained sales force, fire protection specialists, and in-house fire protection engineering team can assist the client in selecting the correct products and systems to match specific project needs. Hilti has a support package that is unmatched in the passive firestop industry.

Over the past few years, Hilti has regularly conducted seminars on the importance of firestopping as well as various awareness campaigns throughout the Gulf region promoting life safety.

Hilti's primary goal has and will continue to be dedicated to saving lives and property through innovation and education. Firestop representatives from Hilti provide professional advice about firestop systems to building owners, specifiers and installers, working closely with customers from the building planning stage to the firestop installation phase to select ideal solutions or applications from Hilti's firestop programme.

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