Enhancing School Safety with BM TRADA-Certified Fire-Stopping Solutions
Enhancing School Safety with BM TRADA-Certified Fire-Stopping Solutions: A Comprehensive Project Review
Introduction to Fire-Stopping in Schools
Fire-stopping is a critical aspect of safety in any building, and it’s even more essential in schools where safeguarding young lives is a priority. At Manor Interior Solutions, we recently undertook a project to enhance fire safety in a school environment, addressing various service penetrations with certified fire-stopping techniques. Marcus Granger and his experienced team led this effort, ensuring compliance with BM TRADA standards for maximum safety.
Project Scope and Objectives
The primary goal of this project was to improve the fire containment measures within the school by applying appropriate fire-stopping to all necessary penetrations and vulnerable areas. Our team focused on areas such as insulated metal pipes, cable bunches, wall and floor penetrations, expansion joints, and fire dampers. Each application was selected to meet the specific needs of the building’s fire safety strategy.
Key Fire-Stopping Areas
Fire-stopping isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; different areas within a building require unique approaches to effectively halt fire and smoke spread. Here’s a breakdown of the key areas we addressed in this school project.
Before Fire Stopping Installation
After BM Trada Certified Installation
Insulated Metal Pipes
Insulated metal pipes require a specialised fire-stopping approach due to their insulation, which can be vulnerable to fire spread if left untreated. Our team used certified materials to fully enclose both the pipe and insulation, providing a robust barrier that limits fire and smoke from travelling through service penetrations.
Cable Bunches
Cable bunches, especially when grouped tightly, can become fire hazards. Marcus Granger’s team carefully applied fire-resistant sealing around these bundles, ensuring that each cable bunch had a certified barrier in place. This technique not only protects against fire spread but also maintains the integrity of the building’s electrical infrastructure.
Cable Bunches Before
Cable Bunches after BM Trada Fire Stopping Certified work
Before Fire Stopping Installation
After BM Trada Certified Installation
Ceiling/Wall/Floor Penetrations and Expansion Joints
If left untreated, every hole or penetration through fire-rated ceilings, walls, and floors, however small, can allow fire and smoke to bypass containment measures. Similarly, Expansion joints are critical points in any fire-stopping strategy as natural building movement, can create gaps that compromise fire barriers.
Our team applied intumescent materials designed to expand under heat to seal off gaps during a fire to address these vulnerabilities. For wall and floor penetrations, we used a range of fire-stopping materials, including intumescent sealants and fire-rated boards, to reinforce the fire resistance of these critical areas. By effectively sealing each point, we preserved the integrity of fire-rated walls and floors throughout the school, providing enhanced fire containment.
Specialised Fire-Stopping Techniques
To meet the varied requirements of the school building, Marcus Granger’s team used a range of fire-stopping techniques, including:
- Intumescent Sealants: Used around insulated metal pipes and cable bunches, these materials expand in high temperatures, creating a robust seal against fire.
- Fire-Rated Boards: Applied around larger penetrations, fire-rated boards provide both structural support and fire resistance, ideal for walls and floor penetrations.
- Mortar Seals: In areas where intumescent sealants were insufficient, fire-rated mortar was used to fill larger gaps or irregular penetrations.
- Collars and Wraps for Pipes: For pipes that expand and contract, fire collars and wraps were installed to provide flexible but secure fire-stopping that adapts to movement.
Each of these techniques is certified by BM TRADA, ensuring that every fire-stopping solution meets rigorous safety standards.
Execution and Compliance
This fire-stopping project was expertly led by Marcus Granger, whose knowledge and dedication were critical to achieving high standards of safety and compliance. His team worked diligently, ensuring that every detail—from insulated metal pipes to cable bunches and expansion joints—was handled with precision. Each fire-stopping technique was applied in strict accordance with BM TRADA standards, with a focus on safety and effectiveness over appearance.
Fire-stopping can be less visually polished compared to other types of construction work, but in this case, functionality is the priority. Our team understood that even the smallest penetration could compromise the building’s fire safety if not properly sealed. Manor Interior Solutions’s team meticulously followed specifications to ensure each installation would provide robust fire containment.
Adhering to BM TRADA certification requirements, we used only approved materials and methods. Every installation was documented and inspected, reinforcing our commitment to the highest level of fire protection. Compliance with BM TRADA standards ensures that our work not only meets but often exceeds industry regulations, providing peace of mind for both the school and the wider community.
