What is a fire batt?
A fire batt is a mineral fibre board, coated in a fire resistant, ablative coating mainly used in walls, floors and ceilings to help protect a structure from the spread of fire where penetrations have been formed for the passage of services.
Fire batts come in a variety of sizes to fit different applications and can also be butted together to cover a larger space if necessary.
It’s important to choose the right type of batt for your specific application, as each one will provide different levels of protection against fire.
You can find out more about fire batts in our blog here.
Installation
There are two main ways to install a fire batt: friction fitting and pattress fitting.
Friction Fitting:
- Make sure that you select the right type of batt for your project.
- Begin by making sure that the surface of the structure you’re working on is free from dust and grease to allow for greater adhesion.
- Measure the size of the area that you are covering and draw these measurements onto the batt. Cut out the measurements using a suitable saw.
- Apply a thick layer of sealant or ablative coating to all areas of contact with the batt and the surface area of the opening.
- Fit the fire batt firmly into place ensuring a tight friction fit.
- Make sure that a layer of sealant is applied to all areas of contact between boards. The seal should be made up from as few pieces of batt as possible.
- To complete the installation, apply a small amount of sealant or ablative coating around the extremities.
Pattress fitting differs slightly and is a useful technique to use when the aperture is an irregular shape.
Pattress Fitting:
- Make sure that you select the right type of batt for your project.
- Begin by making sure that the surface of the structure you’re working on is free from dust and grease to allow for greater adhesion.
- Measure around the area that you are covering and draw these measurements onto the batt, cut down the batt to a suitable size but ensuring it remains larger than the penetration you are covering.
- Apply a thick layer of sealant or ablative coating to all areas of contact with the batt and the surface area of the opening.
- Fit the fire batt firmly onto the surface ensuring a pattress fit. This means that the batt will not be flush with the wall.
- Make sure that a layer of sealant is applied to all areas of contact between boards. The seal should be made up from as few pieces of batt as possible.
- To complete the installation, apply a small amount of sealant or ablative around the extremities.
Conclusion
A fire batt is a type of insulation that is effective in slowing down the spread of fire and smoke.
Fire batts are an important part of fire protection that shouldn’t be overlooked and have the benefit of being cost effective and simple to install.
At FireSealsDirect we stock fire batt systems that offer a complete solution for your project. For further advice, contact our team on 02920 857 959 or [email protected] who will be happy to assist you.
