Glenn Hutchins, Technical Client Relations Manager, Quelfire, explores how firestopping manufacturers can support safer construction through evidence, expertise and early engagement<\/p>\n
The role of the manufacturer is changing. Traditionally, the perception has been that manufacturers make products and provide them to projects along with the relevant documentation.<\/p>\n
However, construction today, particularly with respect to fire safety, demands much more than this. Manufacturers are experts in their products and systems, so their role goes further than simply supplying products to include a broader support function.<\/p>\n
But with this added layer of manufacturing, there must be an understanding of where their responsibility starts and ends \u2013 and that is where competency becomes essential.<\/p>\n
Why firestopping manufacturers are key in design discussions<\/p>\n
Since the introduction of the Building Safety Act in 2022, the construction industry has had to become more evidence-led and collaborative, with a focus on competency and, importantly, on teams actively demonstrating how their designs meet compliance requirements.<\/p>\n
Manufacturers are proving to be an important link between design and firestopping, as they understand how their products have been tested, the scope and limitations of that evidence and the installation requirements.<\/p>\n
They also have a good understanding of how their systems interact with other construction elements and of the information needed to reach the most relevant tested solution.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, products are not standalone components; the test evidence supporting them and their installation is critical to their overall performance in the event of a fire.<\/p>\n
You could select a fire collar because it states a \u20184-hour fire rating,\u2019 but if it isn\u2019t designed and installed in accordance with the tested scope of application, it won\u2019t perform as intended. Context matters. That\u2019s why a manufacturer\u2019s expertise is critical during design discussions to ensure the correct solution is selected and to offer advice on the parameters of its test evidence.<\/p>\n
Firestopping manufacturers as a source of evidence<\/p>\n
Choosing a product because it\u2019s cheaper or because it might work is not best practice and could be detrimental to those occupying a building. Firestopping is complex, which is why manufacturers need to guide parties through test evidence and limitations.<\/p>\n
And be a source of evidence. Manufacturers regularly fire test scenarios based on customer feedback and market trends. Quelfire alone has over 700 tested firestopping details, showing that the scale of test evidence matters, as construction very rarely presents the same scenarios.<\/p>\n
How early engagement improves firestopping compliance<\/p>\n
Early engagement in firestopping is the foundation of any successful project. It ensures the end building is designed, then built around tested solutions. If services, openings or substrates have already been designed without considering test evidence, the manufacturer may not have a solution.<\/p>\n
Whereas, if parties engage at RIBA Stage 2 or 3 while MEP services are being coordinated, this provides an opportunity to ensure that the services and builders\u2019 work in connection openings comply with the evidence.<\/p>\n
Engaging early brings all relevant parties around the table to iron out any grey areas and gives the design team access to important information while there is still time and flexibility to make changes.<\/p>\n
Firestopping manufacturers and design responsibility<\/p>\n
Because manufacturers are increasingly involved in design discussions, it is often assumed that they hold design liability. But manufacturers like Quelfire believe they are not the final step. So where should a manufacturer\u2019s responsibility end?<\/p>\n
Manufacturers should be able to support customers every step of the way by explaining their test evidence, identifying relevant systems, clarifying limitations and answering questions about service penetration sealing \u2013 but that doesn\u2019t make them designers.<\/p>\n