Pre-formed firestop devices have been part of the plumbing and electrical trades for over two decades but now are making their way into the interior finishing industry. A life safety application in rated wall construction that has been addressed using sealants and mastics is now being revolutionized by prefabricated solutions that allow firestopping materials to be installed during the framing process. This new approach is taking off in both the United States and Canada as drywall professionals are being drawn in by the productivity gain coupled with the need to comply with code regulations.
Firestop is not a new topic in the interior finishing industry by any means. When erecting fire rated partitions, contractors are required to install firestopping materials (always at the top of wall and very often at the bottom of the wall). The current market solutions generally involve the installation of a combination of materials that include a non-combustible barrier such as mineral wool covered by a sealant or sprayable mastic to provide smoke containment. The process can be quite time intensive, requires the purchase of additional equipment such as sprayers, and presents challenges with inspection since mineral wool compression and sealant depth are critical to ensure proper performance during a fire.