Putty pads are designed to maintain the fire resistance and acoustic integrity in dry lining partitions where a plastic or metal electrical socket box has been fitted.
Their use improves fire safety, provides soundproofing from room to room, and reduces air leakage within properties, thus reducing energy usage.
Putty pads work by forming a fire resistant char when subject to fire conditions, stopping the spread of fire and smoke through socket boxes and plasterboard walls.
In this blog post we'll take a closer look into what putty pads are, when they are needed, and how to install them correctly.
What are putty pads?
Intumescent putty pads are made of a silicone-based polymer that is red in colour.
The non-setting properties of the material allow it to remain malleable, making it easy to handle and apply.
They are inexpensive, have a wide range of benefits, and can make a significant difference when installed in a building.
General benefits:
- Provides fire protection
- Reduces noise transfer
- Pre-cut cross shape
- Low smoke emission
- Maintenance free
- Remains malleable
- Simple installation
- Durable
When are putty pads needed?
There are a number of reasons why putty pads would be installed in a building. When electrical sockets are installed in plasterboard partitions that must act as fire walls, the fire rating of that partition becomes compromised, therefore it is recommended to use putty pads to seal the penetration.
Where sockets are installed in solid walls, putty pads are not an essential requirement as the wall structure remains sound.
As previously outlined, putty pads can also reduce noise transfer, making them great in environments such as schools, offices, hospitals, and music studios, where sound transfer should be kept at a minimum.
How to install putty pads
Installing putty pads is simple and does not require any specific tools or expert skills. They are suitable for both plastic and metal socket boxes, and can easily be retrofitted.
At Fire Seals Direct we stock both single and double socket putty pads that can be used for offset or back-to-back sockets.
Instructions:
- Ensure electricity is turned off before installing
- Remove the face plate of the electrical socket box
- Ensure the box is free from dust and debris
- Remove the backing paper from the putty pad
- Mould the putty pad into the back of the box and around the sides
- Cut slits where wires penetrate and create small holes to reveal fixings
- Trim off any excess using a knife if required
- Replace and secure the face plate
For more information on installation click here.
How We Can Help
As passive fire protection experts, we at FireSealsDirect are always on hand if you need any help or advice with your project.
Contact our technical team on 02920 857 959 or [email protected] and they will be happy to assist you with any questions or queries.
