Also Look At

Technical Information

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• General technical information
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• Plan safety & quality

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• Why penetration seals demand more attention

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• Different types of penetration seals
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• Combustible penetrations
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• Loadbearing seals

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• Movement of penetrations & services
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• Specifications & installation of penetration seals

Why penetration seals demand more attention

The significance of premium quality penetration seals can never be overstated. Abundant empirical evidence points to a single, alarming fact...penetrations tend to be the weakest link in the chain of effective compartmentation in buildings of all types.

Penetration seals are indeed a vital partner to the fundamental principles of "compartmentation". A compartment is defined as "a building or part of a building, comprising one or more rooms, spaces or floor levels, constructed to prevent the spread of fire to or from another part of the same building, or an adjoining building".

It is therefore essential to be aware that, in most building "fire compartments", the most probable threat from the spread of fire and gases will likely occur where services penetrate walls or floors or where concealed cavities between separating elements interlink.

Unfortunately, the lack of seals, incorrect specification and improper installation are major factors contributing to the increasing incidence of large fires in buildings, old and new. Many of these conflagrations would not be so destructive if penetrations through compartment walls and floors had been adequately sealed against the passage of fire and smoke, or that seals had been properly specified from the outset.

The Euro Standard EN 1366-3, entitled "Fire resistance tests for service installations-Part 3, penetration seals" defines a penetration as "an aperture through a separating element for the passage of a service". A service is defined as "a system to convey substance, for example a cable, conduit, pipe with or without any insulation, duct, chimney, or trunking; excluding air ventilation system, fire resistant ventilation ducts, fire resistant service ducts and shafts and smoke extraction ducts".

The EN standard defines a penetration seal as "the system used to maintain the fire resistance of a separating element at the position where there is provision for services to pass through the separating element". The Euro Standard EN 1366: Part 4 relating to the use of Linear Gap Seals and Euro Standard EN 1366: Part 5 relating to Service Shafts and Ducts should always be read in conjunction with Euro Standard EN 1366: Part 3.