What it means
When pipes, conduits, cables or ducts pass through a rated wall or floor, the gap around them must be filled with a tested system. Firestop products include sealants, collars, wraps, putty and mineral wool. The right product depends on what passes through and the assembly it passes through.
Penetrations are numerous in commercial work, especially for cabling.
Why it matters
Unsealed penetrations are among the most common deficiencies found at inspection. They are also easy to create later, when a technician pulls new cable through a wall and leaves the opening.
Firestopping must be completed and often inspected before ceilings and finishes close the area, so timing matters.
How HSM handles it
On HSM projects, the trade making the penetration plans for the seal. Our electricians, mechanical crew and low voltage technicians coordinate with our interior systems team so that firestop work is done before walls and ceilings are closed, and it is documented.
Because our own crews work in sequence, there is less chance of a trade penetrating a rated wall when no one is responsible for sealing it. We use systems suited to each penetration and check them against the code before inspection.
What to plan for
If you will add cabling or equipment after we finish, keep a record of the rated walls and the products used. Use a qualified contractor for any later penetration.
Ask us to give you photographs of firestopping before ceilings close. They are useful for inspection and for future maintenance staff.