Penetration seal
Firestopping of service penetrations, Best practice in design and installation, was published in 2020. It is a collaboration between ASFP (Association for Specialist Fire Protection), FIS (Finishes and Interiors Sector), GPDA (Gypsum Products Development Association), BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) and BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association).
It defines a penetration seal (or firestoping) as: 'A system used to maintain the fire
resistance of a fire-separating element at the position where one or more services pass through or where there is provision for services to pass through a fire-separating element.'
It defines a blank penetration seal as: ‘A seal for an aperture through a fire-separating element designed to maintain the fire resistance of a fire-separating element for the duration of the specified fire resistance period without incorporating penetrating services.’
It defines a multiple penetration seal as: 'A seal intended for penetrations where more than one service of the same type (eg cables or pipes) pass through.'
And a single service penetration seal as: 'A seal intended for penetrations with only one service passing through.'
--BSRIA
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