An effective fire protection plan involves detection, suppression and containment, and these three key components require both active and passive fire protection. Firestopping is the the key passive component in an overall fire prevention system.

Active fire protection includes the systems designed to suppress a fire once it has started, as well as aid in the evacuation of occupants. These include smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers, exit signs and evacuation plans. However, active fire protection systems rarely extinguish a fire and do not prevent the spread of smoke and toxic gases through mechanical, electrical, plumbing and data penetrations in floors and walls. This toxic smoke and gas is the leading cause of death during a fire event.

Passive fire protection is designed to prevent smoke, toxic gases and flame from spreading. By compartmentalizing fire, passive fire protection systems:

•Bolster the effectiveness of active systems

•Enable occupants to evacuate

•Protect property

•Minimize damage

The Threat to Fire Compartmentalization
Buildings have been designed to compartmentalize fire for decades. Fire rated floors and walls create separation to prevent the spread of fire. But every time a hole — or penetration — is cut into a fire rated floor or wall and proper firestopping is not installed, fire containment is compromised.

Many trades are at fault for the breakdown of fire containment, including plumbing, HVAC, electrical and network cabling. The growth of networks, data centers and the internet has meant that network cabling installation has become a major contributor to this problem.

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