
One of the biggest risks to any property is fire. Fire damage can be dangerous to both occupants and the structural integrity of a building. For this reason, many buildings are constructed or retroactively protected with fire-stopping products. For example, here at Heat Loss Management in New Hampshire, we work with HILTI products to help homeowners and businesses protect their buildings. There are many different types of fire-stopping products. For the most part, they all operate with a similar core concept. Because fires can spread from room to room, these products are designed to contain the fire. This is different from having sprinklers or fire extinguishers which are used to put out fires and suppress them. Fire-stopping products work by preventing a fire from spreading from a kitchen to the next room.
How Are Fire-Stopping Products Applied?
Fire-stopping products can include sealants and gap fillers. As their names imply, they are designed to plug up any holes so that smoke cannot move from one room to another. These products are often placed around electrical cabling and pipes. Because electrical and plumbing systems need to interconnect throughout a property, fire, and smoke will often travel in the gaps around those systems. By adding sealants or fillers, there is less of a risk of a fire spreading.Â
What Are Fire-Stopping Products Made From?
Products designed to stop fires are inherently fire retardant. Depending on the application a variety of materials can be used. For example, some fire-stopping products use silicones or rubber, or other materials that do not transfer heat effectively. These materials are also easy to apply which makes it doubly effective. They can prevent heat, smoke, and therefore fire from spreading throughout a property. Sealants are often made with latex or other materials that bond to the material they are applied to. Sealants are usually water-based and are designed to stick to wood, metal, or other building materials.Â
How Do You Get Fire-Stopping Products Installed?
Ideally, when a new property is being constructed or an addition is being built, your contractors will ensure that fire-stopping products are part of the construction process. Many modern buildings are built to ensure that fires cannot easily spread from one room to another. However, for older homes or buildings, you might want to discuss working with a contractor that provides fire-stopping services. For example, here at Heat Loss Management, we can work with both new construction as well as existing properties. Our team evaluates and performs assessments to find areas that can be improved. For more information, please contact our team.
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