Firestop
Fire prevention is imperative. We all know that human life is the primary concern when a fire breaks out; however, a building can be badly damaged or destroyed. The keys to fire prevention are prevention, detection, suppression, and compartmentation.
The main purpose of fire stopping is compartmentation of space. It is the the process of limiting the spread of fire by using fire resistive barriers.
Compartmentation is splitting a space into smaller areas or zones to keep toxic fumes, smoke, and fire from spreading. Each zone must contain a fire within the zone or prevent fire from an external zone for a specified period. These barriers are then tested and given a fire-resistant rating based on the results of a fire exposure test. The correct firestop is utilized to meet the fire-resistant rating; for more information on barrier standards, refer to ASTM E119, UL 263, and NFPA 251.
Firestop protection is accomplished through passive or active means. Fire alarms and sprinklers are examples of active protection because they rely on external means of energy, such as electricity or water. Fire stopping is a passive barrier because of its inherent properties.