Four Common Firestopping Mistakes

November 21, 2024

Firestopping is an aspect of building construction that involves sealing openings or gaps in walls, floors, and ceilings to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and toxic gases. A form of Passive Fire Protection firestopping is highly complex but crucially important, especially as buildings become more sophisticated. Despite this fact, firestopping is often overlooked or improperly installed during construction, leading to potentially catastrophic consequences in the event of a fire. Since most firestopping mistakes are borne from negligence, this paper will highlight ways to avoid these wrong practices so that buildings and its occupants are kept safe and sound

1. Consider the Annular Gap

The annular gap refers to the space between the side of penetration opening and the penetrating material. To prevent spread of water, fire, smoke, and gas, this gap needs to be filled with a tested fire sealant system that allows for expansion, contraction, and movement, and is according to specific test approvals (ETA/BS-EN). Aside from sealants, other types of firestopping materials such as intumescent straps or collars must be installed at the correct depth. If the depth of the material is too shallow, it may not seal the annular gap completely, allowing fire and smoke to still pass through. The best practice is to always follow the instructions of the firestopping system manufacturer carefully.

2. Uncertified Products

Simply put, certified firestopping products provide a higher level of safety and reliability compared to non-certified products. This is because certified firestopping products have been tested and evaluated by independent thirdparty organizations to ensure that they meet specific standards for fire resistance and smoke control. These products have undergone rigorous testing and meet the requirements of building codes and standards. Unlike certified firestopping products which have been tested and approved for their intended use, using uncertified firestopping products can compromise the fire protection system of a building, potentially leading to loss of life, property damage, and legal liability (e.g., cannot claim for fire insurance).

3. Installation Shortcuts

Even the best products, when installed poorly or incorrectly, cannot perform as intended and thereby compromise the integrity of the whole system. The most common shortcuts include using the wrong density of mineral wool, using lesser than the recommended thickness of sealant, using the wrong product in different applications, failing to clean the surfaces to be sealed, not using the proper adhesives, or using a "backer rod" that is too small. All these shortcuts put the building’s structural integrity and its occupants’ safety at risk, not to mention it could lead to code violations and liability issues for building owners, contractors, and installers. Firestopping installation should always be done by trained and certified professionals who underwent the proper product, installation, and technical training by the product manufacturer.

4. Mixing Different Product Brands

Most firestopping products designed by a manufacturer can be used independently or as part of a system because they are compatible when tested together, thereby guaranteeing the most effective passive fire protection while also upholding a valid system warranty. However, if different brands of firestop products are used together, it could compromise the effectiveness of the overall performance of the firestop system because of different properties (e.g., expansion rates or adhesion qualities).


In addition to the risk of decreased fire protection performance, mixing firestopping product brands may not meet building codes and standards, and it can also result in legal and regulatory implications.


More than anything, the best way to avoid any of the above mistakes is to include firestopping early in the building design process. By doing so, it will eliminate so many mistakes during the construction and installation phase, and even provide cost savings if there is no need for remedial work later on.


Blazeout as an independent distributor of Passive Fire and Firestopping products can advise on the solutions required, without having to “push their own brand”. Blazeout can provide impartial advice.

Turkish Hotel 2025

By Grace Nacionales • February 17, 2025
A tragic fire at a ski resort hotel in Turkey has claimed the lives of up to 79 people and left 51 others injured. The blaze erupted in the early hours of January 21, 2025, at the 12- storey Grand Kartal hotel, located in Turkey's Bolu mountains. At the time, more than 230 guests were staying at the hotel

Protecta Introduction

November 21, 2024
Introduction to Protecta

How to Install a Fire Pipe Wrap

October 25, 2024
Wall or floor structures that have been penetrated by pipes are vulnerable when it comes to fire and smoke spreading throughout a building. Using a Pipe Wrap will reinstate the wall’s integrity by containing fire to its area of origin for up to four hours. Under fire conditions, the intumescent material within the wrap expands inwards against the structure and fills the void left by the burnt-out pipe. They are simple to fit and require no maintenance, making them a quick and easy fire protection solution. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what intumescent fire pipe wraps are, why they are important, and how to install them in different situations. What Is a Fire Pipe Wrap? Pipe wraps can be added to pipes within walls or floors so that when activated by extreme heat the intumescent material expands and crushes the pipe to stop the spread of fire and smoke travelling through into an adjacent compartment. Intumescent pipe wraps offer a simple and more economical alternative to intumescent pipe collars for fire-stopping plastic pipework and electrical trunking. Pipe collars may be a more suitable solution for your project, and we can assist with that decision. How Does a Fire Pipe Wrap Work and Why Are They Important? Pipe Wraps comprise layers of a graphite-based intumescent sheet encapsulated in a polythene cover. The cover sleeve is an integral part of the system and should not be removed. The product is designed to be wrapped around the outside diameter of the pipework or trunking and is secured by a self-adhesive strip. The Intumescent Pipe Wrap is then positioned within the compartment wall or floor so that the edge of the product is left exposed at the face of the wall or soffit. Benefits of using a pipe wrap: Simple to install Water resistant No mechanical fixings Maintenance free Affordable Not visible Fire stopping is a fundamental part of passive fire protection and should never be overlooked. Without adequate fire stopping materials such as pipe wraps, smoke and flames can quickly travel throughout a building, damaging property and risking the lives of its occupants. How to Install Fire Pipe Wrap Installation in Masonry Walls Check that the pipe surface is clear of mortar, dust or any other contaminants. Ensure that the correct Pipe Wrap is installed to suit the diameter of pipe and fire rating. Wrap around the pipe and fix with integral self-adhesive strip. Slide the Pipe Wrap into the wall, ensuring that the outermost edge of the wrap aligns with the face of the block work. Important: If this is not carried out, the intumescent material will be insulated and shall lead to a product malfunction. Repeat on the other side of the wall if necessary. Make good around Pipe Wrap with either Firestop Compound or traditional mortar to the full depth of the seal. For walls it may be necessary to fit two wraps depending on the fire risk areas concerned and if the wall thickness exceeds 150mm. Installation in Floors Check that the pipe surface is clear of mortar, dust or any other contaminants. Ensure that the correct Pipe Wrap is installed to suit the diameter of pipe and fire rating. Wrap around the pipe and fix with integral self-adhesive strip. Slide the Pipe Wrap on top of the shuttering being used for the making good. Ensure that the bottom edge of the wrap will be exposed in the floor slab when the shuttering is removed. Important: If you are using permanent mineral wool shuttering for Firestop Compound, cut out the shuttering to ensure that the bottom edge of the Pipe Wrap can be viewed from the soffit below. If this is not carried out the intumescent material will be insulated and shall lead to a product malfunction. Seal the Pipe Wrap into the structure with Firestop Compound or concrete, ensuring that there is a minimum of 25mm cover over the top of the Pipe Wrap. At Blazeout, we stock a range of pipe wraps in a variety of sizes or a continuous wrap – from a range of manufacturers. As experts in passive fire protection, our team is available if you need any help or advice with your fire stopping project or whether pipe wraps could be a solution for you. Contact our technical team at sales@blazeout.co.uk or 01202 155780 and they will be happy to assist you with any questions or queries.