- Penetration (firestop)
A penetration, in
firestop ping, is an "opening", such as one created by the use of a cast-in-place sleeve, in a wall or floor assembly required to have afire-resistance rating , for thepurpose of accommodating the passage of a mechanical, electrical or structuralpenetrant . The penetration may or may not contain a firestop system. A "penetration" is not a "penetrant". A penetration may or may not include a penetrant.Old terminology
The nuclear industry in particular used to refer to firestops as "penetration seals" or "penseals". These terms are superseded by the term
firestop . Whereas penetration seals or penseals only dealt with openings made to accommodatepenetrant s, firestops now also includeJoint (building) .Why the term "Penetration (firestop)"?
It is useful to have clarity in
construction communications, to differentiate between the "opening", whether sealed or not, and thepenetrant s, which are optional components of a penetration, as sometimes openings (penetrations of the fire barrier) are created for future use, especially in electrical service rooms. A firestop, after all, tends to be easier to remove thanconcrete , which requires coredrilling equipment, cooling water, etc. A firestopped penetration may also be referred to as a firestop, as a firestop, by definition, is asystem . Therefore, the terms "firestop" and "penetration" can at times be deemed to be interchangeable.ee also
*Sleeve (construction)
*Passive fire protection
*Annulus (firestop)
*Joint (building)
*Penetrant
*Mortar (firestop)
*Firestop pillow
*Fire test
*System External links
* [http://www.warringtonfire.net/Default.asp?DepartmentID=1&SectionID=91&SubSectionID=77&TopicID=70 Penetration seals (firestops) treatise by Warrington labs]
* [http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1552/ Penetration seals (firestops) treatise by]Nuclear Regulatory Commission
* [http://www.thomasnet.com/products/penetration-seals-73575003-1.html Penetration seal (firestop) vendor listings by Thomas Register]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.