Purpose and Scope
IS 16432:2016 applies to firestop products and assemblies that prevent the passage of fire, smoke, and hot gases through openings created by service penetrations or construction joints in fire-rated assemblies. The standard ensures that such penetrations do not compromise the overall fire-resistance rating of the barrier, thus maintaining compartmentalization and limiting fire spread.
The standard covers:
- Firestop materials (sealants, mortars, wraps, collars).
- System design and configuration.
- Performance criteria under fire conditions.
- Installation guidelines.
- Inspection and maintenance protocols.
Types of Firestop Systems
Firestop systems can be broadly categorized into:
- Penetration Firestops:
These seal openings created by penetrants such as cables, pipes, conduits, ducts, and structural steel members passing through fire-rated assemblies. - Joint Firestops:
These seal construction joints between fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings that are subject to movement and settlement. - Through-Penetration Firestop Systems:
Specialized systems designed to maintain fire resistance where penetrants completely traverse fire-rated assemblies.
Key Components and Materials
- Firestop Sealants: Intumescent or ablative sealants that expand or char to seal gaps under heat exposure.
- Firestop Mortars and Cementitious Materials: Used for larger openings, providing structural stability and fire resistance.
- Firestop Collars and Wraps: Mechanical devices that encircle penetrants (e.g., plastic pipes) to prevent flame spread upon melting.
- Backing Materials: Mineral wool or foam backer rods to provide support and control sealant depth.
Performance Criteria and Testing
IS 16432 specifies fire resistance tests based on:
- Integrity (E): Preventing flame and hot gas passage through the firestop.
- Insulation (I): Limiting temperature rise on the unexposed side to prevent ignition or structural damage.
- Radiation: Controlling heat radiation to adjacent materials.
Test procedures simulate fire exposure following standardized temperature-time curves, typically for durations of 1 to 4 hours or as specified for the fire-rated assembly.
Additional tests assess:
- Mechanical Movement: Ensuring firestop systems accommodate building movement without loss of integrity.
- Water Resistance: For installations in moist environments.
- Smoke Seal: Preventing smoke leakage, critical for occupant safety.
Installation Guidelines
- Surface Preparation: Clean, dry surfaces free of dust, oil, and loose materials to ensure proper adhesion.
- Application Thickness and Coverage: Firestop materials must be applied to manufacturer’s specified thickness and coverage for tested performance.
- Penetrant Compatibility: Materials must be compatible with the penetrant type and construction assembly.
- Quality Control: Proper curing time, ambient conditions, and skilled workmanship are essential to achieve the designed fire resistance.
Inspection, Maintenance, and Documentation
- Regular inspection to detect physical damage, cracking, or improper sealing.
- Maintenance procedures to replace or repair compromised firestop systems.
- Documentation of firestop locations, materials used, and certification is vital for regulatory compliance and fire safety audits.
Regulatory and Safety Implications
Compliance with IS 16432:2016 ensures that firestop systems meet Indian fire safety code requirements, maintaining compartment integrity crucial for occupant safety and fire control. Properly installed firestop systems reduce the risk of fire spread through penetrations, facilitate emergency response, and support insurance and building certification processes.
