Whether you are an individual looking to buy a new home or a business owner acquiring commercial property, protecting your building and the people inside is always a top priority. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is by implementing proven fireblocking methods. And the application of fire caulking is an efficient, reliable fireblocking method, helping mitigate the negative impact a fire can have on your building and its inhabitants.
How Does Fire Caulking Work?
Inside of a building’s construction cavities, there are pathways and spaces which can be extremely susceptible to air leakage. If a fire unexpectedly breaks out and these pathways are left open, the air leakage can enable the fire to spread faster by giving it access to oxygen and providing it more room to multiply the damage. These potentially hazardous gaps that cause air leakage are mainly found in areas surrounding penetrations including pipes, ducts, vents, cables, and wires throughout the structure of the building. Fire caulking effectively blocks off these pathways, protecting against air leakage, helping to cut off the fire’s oxygen supply and prevent further damage.
As you probably know, the smoke from a fire contains an abundance of potentially deadly toxins and chemicals which can be as dangerous to people as the fire itself. The airtight seal formed during fire caulking application also helps ensure these hazardous fumes do not spread throughout the building’s interior.
How Is Fire Caulking Applied?
After meticulously cleaning the application area, removing debris that can potentially reduce its effectiveness, fire caulking is applied to all of the pathways and spaces we previously mentioned. At Radiant Drywall & Insulation, our fireblocking experts apply the fire caulking to the regions where vertical penetrations pass through the floors of the building and horizontal penetrations go through the interior walls.
During your free onsite evaluation, our team will walk you step by step through the fire caulking process, showing you exactly how this effective fireblocking method can be implemented.
Can’t Regular Caulking Achieve the Same Fireblocking Protection?
Most types of caulking are ideal for jobs like sealing tiny gaps for aesthetic building renovations; however, achieving effective fireblocking power necessitates the use of specialty caulking, specifically formulated to prevent the spread of fire. At Radiant Drywall & Insulation, we use fire caulking developed by one of the most trusted names in the industry, Fire Seal. Fire Seal’s fireblocking caulk is tested at a temperature of 1,382° Fahrenheit, meeting the stringent stands set by the International Residential Code and providing more than adequate fire protection. Additionally, Fire Seal fireblocking caulk is eco-friendly, following all guidelines set by The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Green Building Rating System and the National Association of Home Builders Model GREEN Home Building’s energy efficiency standards.
