The guide, produced by a number of different construction and safety focused associations, has received approval from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
In a press release, the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) shared that the Firestopping of Service Penetrations, Best Practice in Design and Installation Guide has been approved by RIBA as assessed continual professional development (CPD) material, which means that architects can download and read it before logging it towards 35 hours of required CPD per year.
The guide was produced in a collaboration between the ASFP, the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA), the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) and the Gypsum Products Development Association (GPDA). It aims to ‘assist in the design, specification and installation’ of building services penetrations though fire compartment walls and floors in new buildings to ensure that fire compartmentation is maintained’.
The organisations stated when it was launched last year that the aim was to ‘encourage all stakeholders in construction to consider firestopping design earlier in the process in order to avoid problems at a later stage in construction’, and it was ‘not an installation manual but guidance to a good practice approach’. The guide is broken down ‘to provide information on actions that should be carried out during each of the stages one to seven as defined in the RIBA Plan of Work’.
Within the guide are nine ‘golden rules’ to be followed during design and installation of firestopping for service penetrations, ranging from early engagement with manufacturers at initial design stages through to ‘specifying third party certificated products and installers’ before implementing a ‘structured inspection plan’.
Other advice provided includes: understanding of the design process for selecting firestopping for service penetrations; understanding the importance of ‘early engagement’; understanding the terms and definitions used in relation to firestopping; understanding key questions to ask ‘to ensure a compliant installation’ of firestopping; definitions of roles and responsibilities; and how to use a fire strategy drawing.
The guide also provides advice on reading data provided by firestopping manufacturers ‘to ensure a compliant installation at the design stage’; how to design service openings; and how to select ‘compliant’ firestopping products. It can be downloaded for free from each of the association’s websites at the following links: ASFP; BESA; BSRIA; FIS; and GPDA.
ASFP chief executive officer Niall Rowan commented: ‘We welcome RIBA’s recognition of this excellent best practice guide and thank the institute for its continued support in educating architects and others of the vital role of fire compartmentation in buildings and, particularly, the need for early engagement with specialist manufacturers and contractors.
‘Firestopping must be properly designed and specified and should only be installed by specialist contractors who can demonstrate their competence. All ASFP contractor members are third party certificated and must prove that a proportion of their employees have been suitably trained and/or have achieved appropriate qualifications in passive fire protection.’
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