Glossary

  • Annular Space - The space surrounding one cylindrical object placed inside another, such as the distance from the inside edge of the opening (floor/wall) to the outside of the penetrating item..
  • ASTM E814 - Standard test method for fire tests of Penetration Fire-Stop Systems
  • Elastomeric - A characteristic of a material that is flexible and permits movement.
  • F-Rating - The F-rating is expressed in hours and the number indicates the specific length of time that a barrier can withstand fire before being consumed or before permitting the passage of flame through the opening. An F-rated opening shall also withstand a hose-stream test.
  • Fill, Void or Cavity - A term found in the UL Fire Resistance Directory used to indicate a proprietary material installed in a specific assemblage of materials as part of a fire-stop system.
  • Fire Resistive Joint System - An assemblage of specific materials or products that are designed, tested and fire rated in accordance with ASTM E 119 to resist, for a prescribed period of time, the spread of fire through joints made in or between fire rated assemblies. (i.e. wall-to-wall, head-of-wall, bottom-of-wall)
  • Intumescence - A characteristic of certain fire barrier products that, when exposed to heat, expands to fill a void in the penetration caused by the deformation or combustion of the through penetrating item. When exposed to heat, intumescent materials expand at various rates to form a hard char to seal voids and provide hourly rated protection.
  • Membrane Penetration - An opening made through 1 side (wall, floor or ceiling membrane) of an assembly.
  • Membrane Penetration Fire Stop - A material, device or construction installed to resist, for a prescribed time period, the passage of flame, heat, and hot gases through openings in a protective membrane in order to accommodate cables, cable trays, conduit, tubing, or pipes.
  • T-Rating - The T-rating is expressed in hours and the number indicates the length of time that the temperature on the non-fire side of the penetration does not exceed 325 oF (163 oC) above the ambient temperature. This ensures that the temperature on the side of the wall away from the flame does not reach the flash point of any materials on that side of the wall.
  • Through Penetration Fire-Stop System - "A specific field-erected construction consisting of an assemblage of materials to prevent the spread of fire through openings made in floors or walls to accommodate through penetrating items," (i.e. pipes, electrical conduits, blanks, etc.) using ASTM E 814 (Test Standard UL 1479) as the test method. Through-Penetration - An opening that passes through an entire assembly (wall or floor/ceiling).