In February 2024 Quelfire launched its new campaign, ‘BECAUSE IT’S YOUR JOB TO KNOW’, focusing on responsibility in firestopping
Launched earlier this year, the ‘BECAUSE IT’S YOUR JOB TO KNOW’ campaign aims to create an open conversation about embracing responsibility in firestopping.
The key call to action is its white paper on early engagement. The white paper highlights how responsibility, collaboration, and early engagement in firestopping can ensure a project’s smooth delivery, in line with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
But whose job is it to know? What do you need to know? When and how should you act, and more importantly, why?
Firestopping is complex. It is not as simple as purchasing and installing products. The effectiveness of the firestop relies on factors like the design, installation, substrate, and required services. Many trades, from dryliners to M&E contractors and wall manufacturers, directly affect the efficiency of the whole system. Therefore, all stakeholders involved in the design and installation of service penetration seals must communicate effectively to ensure the building is constructed around tested details.
Because of this, understanding your role in firestopping is crucial
One key aspect is recognising the importance of compartmentation and how products are tested and installed. It also involves knowing when you are needed in the firestopping process, specifically at what RIBA stages. Responsibility is essential at each stage as actions can have a cascading effect on the next stage, positively or negatively, depending on the level of commitment from individuals.
Central to this understanding is knowing your competence and recognising when something is outside of it.
Quelfire believes it is never too late to change the way you work. Taking proactive steps to do it right the first time will prove more beneficial than waiting for the government.
Change can take many forms. Education is one way the industry can advocate this:
- Attending CPDs or product-specific training
- Participating in early engagement meetings
- Creating sample boards as a benchmark for compliant installations
So why is this important? Why is it the industry’s job to know?
The ultimate reason for compliant firestopping is to save lives. This instils confidence that the seals will work as intended in the event of a fire.
Additionally, considering service penetration sealing early in any project will facilitate the installation stage. It allows all parties to understand the design and utilise the manufacturer’s support, ensuring installations align with the tested details and manufacturer’s guidance.
Quelfire often discusses the importance of installations aligning with the tested details. If firestopping isn’t considered when decisions are made about the location of compartment lines and central routes of M&E services, there is no guarantee the manufacturer will have a tested solution. Discovering these discrepancies late in the project can lead to extra costs and delays due to the need to redesign service penetrations.
