What to consider when sealing pipe penetrations
Pipework that penetrates fire compartment walls or floors must be adequately sealed to prevent the spread of smoke and fire. Not all pipes are the same, and therefore, there are a range of different fire stops on the market to deal with the different pipe requirements.
For example, combustible pipes will melt in the event of fire which means they require a solution which incorporates intumescent expanding foam to effectively seal the gap that will be left from the melted pipe.
Some of the things to consider when sealing pipe penetrations include:
- Pipe material and diameter
- Insulation requirements
- Wall or floor penetration
- Thickness of the wall / floor
- Fire rating required
Download our fire stopping checklist which gives 15 things to consider when looking for fire stopping solutions for M&E services.
Fire stops for pipe penetrations
Fire Collars
Fire collars are a popular choice when looking at fire sealing of pipe penetrations through fire walls. They consist of a metal shell lined with intumescent. They are generally installed on both sides of the wall or the underside of flooring and simply screw into place.
We offer a range of collars from standard solutions, for example the BFC Fire Collar for combustible pipes, to more innovative options like our EFC Endless Fire Collar which is a great problem-solver collar for metal and plastic pipes and more complex installation requirements.
NEW product launch – we have just released a new 2-part fire collar for U/U pipe configurations. ETA certified and with noise reducing foam layer. Find out more about the Pacifyre® FPC Collar.
Browse our fire collars
Fire Wraps
Fire wraps perform in a similar way to collars except they do not have the metal shell. This means that they need to be installed inside a solid construction – such as a concrete wall or floor. The concrete effectively works in the same way as the metal shell on a collar, to stop the intumescent expanding outwards.
Fire wraps can be a very cost-effective solution, as long as you have the right installation requirements suited to this product. Our FPW Fire Protection Wrap is ETA approved and is on a roll 9.2m long. One stand-out feature is it has been approved for use on ventilated pipes (e.g. rainwater) in the U/U configuration with a fire rating up to 120mins. All documentation and approvals can be found on the product page.
View our fire wrapFire Sleeves
Our unique fire sleeves are approved for sealing un-insulated plastic pipes. As well as offering a fire and smoke barrier, they also offer a certified noise barrier. Our sleeve is designed with a layer of intumescent and metal outer cover.
Fire sleeves can be useful where significant pipe movement is expected as, unlike collars, they still allow the pipe to move. This can be commonplace on tall buildings. Read our case study about why our fire sleeves were used on The Shard. You also only need one sleeve per penetration and they are faster to fit around the pipe so they can be cost-effective in the long run. Find out more about this great, versatile product.
View our fire sleeves
Sealants
Our range of acrylic, silicone and graphite sealants and mortars can be used alongside our fire stops for sealing linear gaps around pipe penetrations and filling larger gaps, for example, over fire batts.
They are extensively tested and approved for a variety of situations, full details of approvals can be found in the ETA documentation on the product page.
View sealants and mortarsNeed help finding a fire stop solution for a pipe penetration?
We have created a simple form which asks for a few basic details about your pipe penetration so we can help you find the right fire stop for your pipe.
Get in touch
We recommend you speak to our technical team who can help you select the right products for your installation. Complete the form to request a chat!
Firestopping enquiry formFire stopping product selection
Pacifyre® MK II Fire Sleeve (P)
- for pipe penetrations in accordance with e.g. DIN 4102-11 or DIN EN 1366-3 in walls (solid walls or light partition walls) and ceilings with fire protection requirements
- the sleeve provides a guaranteed protection against fire, smoke and noise
- expansion and contraction of the pipe remains possible
Walraven Pacifyre® FPC Fire Collar
- for application in flexible walls, rigid walls and rigid floors
- suitable for combustible pipes with intended use as rainwater, sewage, gas, drinking water and heating or cooling
- for various combustible pipe materials such as PP-H, PVC and PE
Pacifyre® EFC Fire Collar
- suitable for areas which are difficult to access, like corners
- a small number of intumescent layers required, so a smaller drill hole is possible
- suitable for damp conditions
Pacifyre® A Acrylic Fire Sealant
- up to EI 240 for linear gap seals
- up to EI 120 for pipe penetration
- up to EI 90 for cable penetration
Or visit our international website.