The passive fire protection industry has continued to evolve from two key requirements.

In the event of a fire:

  •  We need to protect the structural integrity of a building and
  •  Prevent the spread of flame and smoke.

 The Building Code of Australia (BCA) in combination with specific Australian Standards set out the requirements for building owners regarding passive fire protection.

Fire stopping penetrations is the practice of creating fire-rated compartments to contain fires to the areas of the building they originated in. Nowadays there are few areas of a building where services, such as electrical wiring, communication cables and plumbing, are not required to pass through these compartments. These service penetrations through fire barriers create a weak point that if left untreated can allow a fire to escape the compartment.

To stop the spread of heat and smoke through these weak points fire stopping products are installed such as Collars, Fire Wrap, Fire Strips, Acrylic Sealant, Fire Proof Mortar and Fire Proof Grafitex.

ProFinish offers the complete package of passive fire protection services including vermiculite sprays, intumescent paints, fire retardant boards and fire stopping penetrations. 

New Construction

Engaging a passive fire protection company in the design stage of a project is the most effective way of ensuring a building will be compliant while also avoiding the possibility of costly redesigns. Working with the PROFINISH team early in your project will ensure penetrations are installed at the right time in the construction programme, ensuring suitable access and minimising costs. 

Compliance

It is common for builders and service trades to be caught out because they either don’t have the supporting documentation and/or the penetrations have not been installed correctly.

When sealing penetrations the ProFinish team compile a complete register that includes: 

  • An identifying sticker on each penetration detailing the required FRL and a unique ID. 
  • A photograph of each penetration.
  • A report detailing each penetration including information such as: 
    • Which service the penetration has been applied to. 
    • The product that has been used.  
    • A manufacturer’s test report detailing the performance of the product. 

Existing Building Audits

Maintaining fire resistance levels requires all penetrations to be fire-rated and building surveyors require a complete register of all fire stopping systems used in the building. This includes any new penetrations added after the building has been occupied. 

It is common for electricians or plumbers to add services post-completion and it is important that any penetrations through floors, walls or ceilings are fire protected. We often hear stories where trades have not informed the building manager that penetrations have been made, therefore leaving the building exposed to risk. We recommend annual audits by a certified installer who can complete any rectification work if required and ensure your building remains compliant and up to date. 

The PROFINISH Fire Protection team is certified in the application of market-leading penetrations products and our team can provide compliance audits for existing buildings, regardless of who the fire stopping work was originally completed by. 

It’s not a one size fits all situation

There is rarely a one size fits all solution when it comes to fire stopping penetrations so it is important the correct system is used in each situation. The PROFINISH team has the training and knowledge to audit the compliance of fire compartments and apply the correct fire stopping techniques.

Contact our team who can assist you with any queries you have and provide you with best value quotes, helpful information and back it all up with exceptional service. Get in touch by phone (03) 5274 1226, email estimating@profinishcoatings.com.au or via our contact form.

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