We are all aware that it is essential fire safety and regulation requirement to firestop openings in fire barriers. However, we may not pay attention to what are the firestopping materials being used and the performance of the firestopping system. For instance, mineral wool is good fire insulation materials, however, is it an effective firestopping material for trunking and curtain wall joint? Is it air-impermeable to achieve smoke tightness? The answer is definitely NO in accordance to fire resistance test results.

 

There are some common designs in HK residential flats, e.g., curtain wall and open kitchen. You may wonder what are the inherent fire risks associated with these designs, without proper firestop sealing up. Authorized Person / Registered Surveyors Mr. Vincent Ho had an interview with iCable TV program “Property Outlook” and explained to us what are the potential fire risks with the curtain wall joint, socket boxes and trucking passing through fire barriers. The Program also received formal reply from BD, emphasizing on clear code requirement on design and installation.  

 

It is not uncommon that socket boxes are concealed in kitchen wall or wall separating two flats. Without the fire protection at the back of socket boxes, fire spread through the weak point cannot be controlled. Ideally, a thin layer the putty pad would be adhered at back of socket box.

 

Traditionally, curtain wall joint is filled with mineral wool for fire separation between floors. However, mineral wool itself cannot stop the heavy smoke leakage at fire. In accordance to Code of Practices for fire safety in Building 2011, the firestop system shall also provide smoke tightness. Elastic smoke seal spray on top of mineral wool shall be an all-round solution, which also cater the mullion movement upon wind load.

 

Insides trunking, there are bundles of data cables. Firestop sealant is hard to fill up numerous gaps among data cables. Intumescent martials, which expand tremendously with heat, will take up all space among cables and stop the leakage pathway of fire.

 

You may enjoy the full version of the program through iCable Facebook sharing.

 

https://www.facebook.com/p.outlook/videos/2151226971618207/