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Where reasonably necessary to inhibit the spread of fire within the building, measures shall be taken, to an extent appropriate to the size and intended use of the building, comprising either or both of the following:
(a) subdivision of the building with fire-resisting construction;
(b) installation of suitable automatic fire suppression systems.
It also highlights that all compartment walls and floors should achieve a complete barrier between the compartments they separate, and the appropriate fire resistance must be implemented.
The purpose of fire compartmentation
Despite it being a regulatory requirement, it is sometimes overlooked as an important life safety measure that construction professionals must take seriously.
When the appropriate service penetration sealing products are installed according to relevant test evidence, they provide time for occupants to safely evacuate or wait for rescue, while also reducing damage in the event of a fire. Simply, it puts those living in the building first.
Getting technical – how is fire compartmentation achieved?
A building’s compartmentation is created by dividing the premises into areas of manageable risk. This is done using fire-resistant barriers, such as masonry and fire-rated plasterboard walls, concrete and fire-resistant ceilings, and floors.
In our experience, it is doubtful that a building’s compartmentation will remain a solid box due to required openings. For a home to be habitable, it needs windows, doors, a kitchen, and a bathroom, which require service penetrations like pipes and cables. These form openings, which consequently void the fire-resistance rating of the compartment wall or floor.
Due to this, every penetration that breaks the compartment line must be adequately firestopped to reinstate the required fire rating. This is where test evidence and firestopping products – such as fire collars, fire sleeves, wraps, and compounds, to name a few – will be utilised.
What needs to be considered?
When it comes to restoring a building's compartmentation, all factors must be considered. This includes the supporting construction and its required fire rating, the actual service penetration type and material, whether it is insulated, and the thickness of any insulation. Knowing whether the application is a single or multi-service penetration is also beneficial.
However, it can be challenging to reinstate certain applications’ fire ratings due to insufficient test evidence or mismatched integrity and insulation ratings.
Compliant fire compartmentation saves lives. Therefore, properly designing, installing, and maintaining the compartmentation, especially regarding service penetration openings, is crucial to ensure firestopping systems work correctly in the event of a fire.
You don't have to go it alone. Please contact [email protected] if you have any further questions on fire compartmentation or need help choosing the best solution for your application.
