What are fire cavity barriers?
Cavities are empty, enclosed spaces that are found in walls of buildings. Most external walls would have a cavity as they are made up of two “skins” and are usually a masonry material.
Cavity barriers are blocks of fire resistant material that are installed in these cavities to prevent fire spreading through a building.
Why is there a need for cavity barriers?
Empty spaces in buildings - specifically in wall cavities - can facilitate the spread of fire and smoke as there is nothing for the fire and smoke to come into contact with as a barrier to slow it down or stop it.
It is also very difficult to extinguish the fire once it’s in the cavity as there is no easy way for the fire brigade to access the space.
Cavity barriers fill the voids in walls, and therefore slow down the spread of fire and smoke through a building, meaning there is more time for individuals to escape and less damage is done to the building.
What is the difference between a cavity barrier and a firestop?
The difference between cavity barriers and a fire stop is that cavity barriers are a specific range of products designed for preventing the spread of fire within a cavity whereas a “firestop” can refer to a range of products that are suited for a number of fire stopping applications.
Some examples of a firestop would be to fire protect some pipes going through a wall or some cables going through a concrete floor.
Where should cavity barriers be installed?
Cavity barriers should be installed near the edges of internal cavities such as windows or door openings. They should also be installed wherever the cavity is aligned with a compartment wall or floor.
It’s also important to think about how the building may be prone to movement or any malformations the building has as this can affect the efficacy of the barrier and the way it performs over time.
How often should cavity barriers be inspected and maintained?
Like with all fire protection, regular inspections of cavity barriers are vital to ensure they will function as desired in the event of a fire.
All locations of cavity barriers and their maintenance to date should be recorded in the building’s fire safety manual. Building regulations also require records of fire barrier installations.
Conclusion
Cavity barriers provide essential protection against the spread of fire and smoke however correct installation and regular maintenance and inspections are essential to ensure they function as expected.
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