Firestop solutions for pipe penetrations

Public awareness of fire safety in buildings has surged. Building owners and occupants alike are now demanding passive fire protection – that is, features within the structure to prevent flames, heat and smoke from spreading – which can help save lives and minimize damage if fire breaks out. Pipe penetrations are critical areas for firestopping. Even these seemingly small gaps in fire-rated walls and floors are enough for smoke and toxic gasses to spread through. To maintain the fire resistance of walls and floors, it is essential that every opening is sealed using a well-designed and installed firestop system.

Despite its undeniable importance, firestopping is still often treated as an afterthought. Cost overruns, strained budgets and scheduling conflicts between trades on-site are virtually unavoidable if fire protection is neglected until the final project phases.

Here are some common questions mechanical and electrical contractors on the jobsite are faced with when working with firestop:

• How can I find code-compliant firestop products for various pipe materials and configurations?
• How can I seal penetrations with zero distance between pipes in a tightly packed, open shaft?
• How can high labor costs be reduced?
• How can I pass the fire inspection and avoid costly, time-consuming rework?

The answers to these questions cover the four main factors deciding which firestop solution is right for your project: compliance, spacing, productivity and simple inspection. Read on to see how our firestop can fulfil every one of these requirements.

No matter which international standards you are working with, be it ASTM or EN, we can recommend a compliant firestop solution for all common piping applications including: heating, plumbing, air conditioning and cooling systems.

Our CFS-C EL endless collar is a pre-formed, EN-compliant firestop solution. This bendable, easy-to-cut band offers a very broad ETA approval range for use with multiple pipe materials and configurations in various base materials. It is a versatile and quick solution for inclined pipes, pipes in the corner, elbow pipes and even shaft wall applications. 

Tightly-packed, multiple penetrations with no spacing between pipes are some of the trickiest areas to firestop. We have developed higher-productivity, cleaner solutions for these common cases. For instance, our firestop bandage (CFS-B) for metal pipes with combustible insulation can be installed directly beside a plastic pipe that has been firestopped using a CFS-C EL endless collar with zero distance in between.

The CP 680/CFS-CID (cast-in device) is a game-changer for firestopping pipe floor penetrations. It is a one-step, cast-in solution for both plastic and metal pipes – a productivity booster, a true space saver and easier to inspect. By planning and specifying cast-in devices before casting the slabs, firestop is shifted from the last step to the first. No coring and drilling are required, and on-site trade coordination becomes much simpler. The integrated smoke gasket in the device makes caulking unnecessary.

The firestop performance of pre-formed devices doesn’t rely on the installer’s skills. The risk of failed inspections due to faulty installation is therefore significantly reduced.

With so much choice out there, how can you be sure that you have chosen the right firestop solution to comply with regulations and pass inspections? When you partner with Hilti to specify firestop for pipe penetrations, our Firestop Experts support you from design, installation and inspection to documentation. You enjoy the peace of mind that code compliance, budget and penetration types have been matched with the correct firestop solution.

In addition, you can use digital tools to speed-up design and documentation. Our online firestop product selector, based on an extensive ETA and UL-approved products database, simplifies product selection and helps with code compliance. The PC-based PROFIS Firestop Documentation Manager is a highly efficient method for automating firestop documentation.