Sitting within our range of specialised construction products is a select range of passive fire protection materials for use in fire stopping or fire containing systems. We stock intumescing and stopping mastic sealants and expanding foams manufactured by the biggest and most trusted global sealant names, including 3C Sealants, Adshead Ratcliffe (ARBO), Dow Corning (DOWSIL), Everbuild, Fosroc, Geocel, Nullifire & OTTO-Chemie.
Often used alternatively for their acoustic dampening properties, intumescent mastic sealants are always acrylic, water-based materials that actually swell upon exposure to extreme heat, (approx. in excess of 125°C) effectively blocking the passage of fire and smoke through joints such as door frames etc. As opposed to fire stopping silicones, due to being water-based acrylics, intumescent sealants should not be used externally, don’t leave a particularly pleasing, decorative finish and also don’t have much movement thus are not recommended for large gaps or joints as they will crack or leave space between substrates. Wikipedia says this: An intumescent is a substance that swells as a result of heat exposure, thus increasing in volume and decreasing in density. Intumescents are typically used in passive fire protection and require listing, approval and compliance in their installed configurations in order to comply with the national building codes and laws.
As opposed to intumescent products that expand & swell to block the passage of smoke and fire, ‘fire stop’ products are normally silicone-based (although there is a couple of products on the market formulated from MS Polymer) Giving anywhere from an hour to 4 hours protection, fire stopping mastic sealants have excellent expansion and contraction capabilities for high stress, high movement joints making them an ideal choice for filling gaps and joints around pipework and penetrating cables (known as multi-cable transits (MCTs). Firestop products are strictly tested and certified by the appropriate authorities and have recognisable numbers for surveyors and architects to design Firestop systems for buildings.
Passive fire protection or PFP as it’s commonly shortened to, has always been an important consideration in the design of building structures, but has especially rang alarm bells in recent times. With the tragic events of Grenfell Tower in London in 2017, came even stricter health & safety laws governing the acceptable level of fire protection integrity required for any given building so now it’s imperative that certain certification is acquired.
Many specifications for new build or redials works call for B1 certificated fire foam to be used, this makes ups the criteria for the particular fire protection system being installed. B1 Fire Foams are polyurethane expanding foams – DIN 4102 Part 1 for Construction Materials, Class B1 and BS 476 Part 20 B1 fire foams are generally rated to up to 4 hours fire protection. B1 Foams come in nozzle type and gun type grades, once cured the foam can be cut, sawn or plastered over after only one hour.
B1 foam expands on application to yield up to 50 times the can contents and meets the extremely stringent requirements of the text criteria DIN 4102 Part 1 for Construction Materials, Class B1 and BS 476 Part 20. Fire rated up to 4 hours in certain joint configurations.
Many specifications for new build or redials works call for B2 certificated fire foam to be used, this makes ups the criteria for the particular fire protection system being installed. Firefoam B2 Gungrade is a quick setting fire rated, one part polyurethane foam designed for application by any standard foam applicator gun. Fire resistant for up to 2 hours in certain joint configurations. It expands on application to up to 50 times the can contents and meets the requirements of the test criteria for BS476 Part 20. FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY.
We stock a selection of intumescent mastic joint sealants certified to very high specifications. Unlike firestopping mastic sealants Intumescent mastic joint sealants expand and fill the joint on contact with fire… explained on Wikipedia like this: An intumescent is a substance that swells as a result of heat exposure, thus increasing in volume and decreasing in density. Intumescents are typically used in passive fire protection and, in the U.S., require listing and approval use and compliance in their installed configurations in order to comply with the law.
High quality, fully certified, passive fire protection mastic sealants, from the most trusted names in the mastic sealant fire protection industry. Unlike intumescent mastic sealants that swell to stop a fire’s passage, firestop sealants (almost always made from silicone) are designed to fireproof a wall or floor assembly, impeding the spread of fire and smoke by blocking openings with fire-resistant materials. More information is written above in the ‘What’s the difference?’ tabs above.
Although not traditionally thought of as a fire protection component, Compriband filler foam contains a certified fire retardant and is used in many fire protection systems as the backing foam.
3C Sealants is a brand dedicated to high quality, experience-backed mastic sealants from us ‘County Construction Chemicals’ (hence the name, 3C get it? :-)) A hand-picked selection of high quality fire protection sealant products, using the very best materials @ great trade prices.
ARBO products from Adshead Ratcliffe have been respected throughout the building, glazing & construction industries by architects and contractors alike for many years, with specialist sealant & adhesive products available for marine, automotive and industrial sectors. Although we only carry a select few products in stock here, we can order any others with a fast turnaround.
* Products are ordered in upon orders being received and will take approx. 2-3 x days
New Name, World of Opportunity: DOWSIL™ Product Brand Name Announced for Heritage Dow Corning High-Performance Silicone Building Products. DOWSIL™ Represents The Combined Power of Dow & Dow Corning; Customers can Continue to Rely on Same Trusted Silicone Technologies for Façade Design. We stock the entire ‘premium quality’ silicone sealant 7 series plus many more specialist joint sealants.
After a phenomenal rise in the sealant manufacturer ranks, Everbuild Building Products Ltd were acquired by Sika AG and as part of this worldwide group, as a partnership, offer a huge range of fire protection sealants & foams that are used widely throughout the construction industry. (see also SIKA)
Geocel have been providing the construction and industrial sectors with high quality sealants, coatings and associated chemicals for more than a quarter of a century. Geocel is a wholly owned subsidiary of the international paint manufacturer, the Sherwin-Williams Company, based in Cleveland, Ohio, global leader in the development, manufacture and sale of coatings related products.
Nullifire have been, for many years, world leaders in the development of intumescent coatings, and passive fire protection solutions. Now under the renowned and trusted banner of Tremco illbruck, we now have a selection of fully certified, Nullifire branded passive fire protection sealants.
Over the course of 130 years, Hermann OTTO GmbH, an innovative, medium-sized company for applied construction chemicals, has advanced to become a specialist for sealants and adhesives. We are the premier distributor of Otto Chemie sealants in the UK and carry a vast selection off their product range.
In 2010, Sika celebrated its 100-year anniversary. Developing innovative products and solutions and being consistent in all areas of waterproofing & fireproof sealing & bonding amongst other applications, have made it possible for Sika to grow throughout its first century. We stock a select range of Sika polyurethanes, silicones and hybrid polymer sealants relevant to today’s industry.
Tremco illbruck was created from the merger of Tremco’s European Sealant / Weatherproofing Division with illbruck Sealant Systems in September 2005. We stock a selection of their fire retardant products.
Monday-Friday: 6am-5pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Unit 4, Chingford Industrial Centre
Hall Lane
London
E4 8DJ
020 8524 1931
