With FireStopping from Coopers Fire, customers can specify both systems from a single supplier, with confidence that the complete installation, including the critical integration connection between the FireStopping and fire curtain, is supported by relevant test evidence.
Fire curtains and fire stopping products sourced separately may each have their own individual test evidence, but this does not automatically mean they remain compliant once combined. Connecting products from different suppliers can require alterations to the fire curtain assembly, including drilling or fixing into the headbox, compromising its tested construction and leaving a significant gap in the project’s compliance evidence.
With Coopers Fire, the integration has already been considered, engineered and tested. Our dedicated integration system allows the two products to work together without compromising the integrity of the fire curtain, providing a clear and traceable route to compliance. Without evidence that the complete assembly has been tested as an integrated system, contractors, architects and building owners could face serious questions around compliance, sign off, responsibility and system performance. Particularly in the event of a fire.
One supplier. Two integrated products. One fully tested system.
HOW DOES FIRESTOPPING WORK?
This system creates a fire resistant barrier between the structural soffit and the active fire curtain headbox while allowing approved service penetrations through the tested assembly.
This restores compartmentation and provides a continuous passive fire protection solution around the curtain installation. Creating one fully comprehensive solution for the whole building.
WHY IS FIRESTOPPING NEEDED?
An active fire curtain is only one element of the passive fire protection system. The surrounding construction must also maintain adequate fire performance. This supports project duty holders in demonstrating that the specified and installed FireStopping solution is appropriate for the application and supported by relevant test and assessment evidence.
FireStopping reduces interface risk by providing a defined fire stopping solution, supported by relevant test and assessment evidence, as part of the active fire curtain installation.
WHAT HAPPENS WITHOUT FIRESTOPPING?
- Fire may spread through the void above the active fire curtain
- Building services penetrating the fire barrier can compromise its fire performance if they are not appropriately fire stopped
- Site-specific fire stopping arrangements may be required where the construction or penetrations fall outside an established tested or assessed solution.
WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL FIRESTOPPING APPLICATIONS?
PARAMETERS
FireStopping is a single layer flexible fabric structure. This is a tested solution with accompanying UKAS accredited Field of Application.
Where proposals fall outside the parameters below, a project-specific assessment would be required, with acceptance by the project’s appointed fire engineer/design team.
PERFORMANCE
- 90 minutes integrity
- Reduced to 60 minutes integrity where penetrations are introduced
PENETRATIONS
- Any penetrations must be located a minimum of 50mm from the perimeter of the fabric
- Maximum of four penetrations per section of fabric
- All penetrations must be installed with supports fixed back to the supporting construction as to remain independent from the static fire barrier.
| APPROVED PENETRATIONS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Steel pipe | Pipe diameter up to 60mm | Steel: 4.5 - 5mm |
| PVC pipe | Pipe diameter up to 110mm | 3.4mm |
| Steel cable tray with cables | Up to 155mm wide x 25mm high | Tray: 1mm thick |
| Steel cable tray with cables | Up to 100mm wide x 12mm high | Tray: 1.6mm thick |
| Timber strut | Up to 100mm wide x 50mm thick | N/A |
| Steel trunking | Up to 53mm wide x 53mm high | Steel: 1.2mm thick |
Resources
There are different features available for the Coopers Fire range of fire curtains and smoke curtain barriers. Click on the button below to find out more about Optional Extras, Drives and Controls, Site Wiring Diagrams and other product-related downloads.
