“Reconstruct” the Way You Do PFP.

Explore the process of specifying appropriate passive fire protection solutions into active and future reconstruction projects.

Opening Up the Floor.

In the modern world of construction, we always discuss the latest practices and technological innovations for new construction – so, what about pre-existing buildings? From preserving historical structures to repurposing outdated buildings, redevelopment projects have become an increasing trend in the landscape. However, construction professionals are facing a huge challenge – specifying appropriate passive fire protection systems into these modernized infrastructures – especially when it comes to relighting renovations and audio additions.

To address this growing safety issue, Tenmat will be reviewing the following in this article:

  • The purpose of implementing passive fire protection, and how it coordinates with previously installed active fire protection systems,
  • Why passive fire protection is essential when renewing the lighting and/or audio systems in pre-existing buildings, and the
  • Key strategies and common mistakes that arise when specifying passive fire protection in ceiling upgrades and renovations.

By examining the purpose, benefits, and key strategies of specifying passive fire protection, this discussion aims to equip construction professionals with the insights needed to enhance safety and efficiency in relighting renovations and beyond. Let’s dive into the essential considerations that will allow our present and future buildings to provide true peace of mind for their occupants.

Understanding the Balance of Passive and Active.

Often, when curating the plans and specifications for new construction projects, architectural engineers ensure all 1) building code regulations are properly met, and 2) the appropriate technology and/or solutions are accurately installed. However, if you are a member of the construction landscape, you understand the turnaround of amending building regulations – an almost everyday occurrence. Therefore, it is fairly common that when remodeling a pre-existing building, parts of the structure aren’t aligned with the current version of the building code. Due to this typical complication, the project’s construction team will need to update the structure to meet the current building code requirements – especially when it comes to life safety.

Regardless of whether you are standing present-day in a late 19th century or 21st century building, you will be able to easily detect standard, updated active fire protection systems, such as fire sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers. On the other hand, the rapid adoption of various passive fire protection requirements creates a high level of difficulty for recently built infrastructures to even meet the most up-to-date code. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that these passive fire protection systems are updated properly when a pre-existing building is experiencing a remodel.

Why Does It Matter.

Why? Well, it resides with one the main reasons on why we specify passive fire protection systems in the first place – the safety of lives and property. Often, during remodeling projects, a variety of                 violations of the fire code arise; however, there is one single safety issue that flies under the radar– unprotected ceiling openings. Intermittently, architects and developers tend to be unfamiliar with or overlook Section 714.5.2 of the 2021 IBC, which addresses the significance of properly fire rating unprotected ceiling openings. When installed into a fire-resistance rated ceiling/floor assembly, recessed ceiling fixtures, whether it be a lighting or audio, allows a clear pathway for an active fire to travel. When exposed to the high temperatures of a fire for several minutes, the ceiling fixture is reduced to nothing – allowing heat, flames, and smoke to rapidly accelerate throughout a building.

To tackle this life safety hazard, modern day architects have begun specifying proper passive fire protection measures to certify that these openings are sealed properly, and the assembly’s integrity is reinstated. Alas, this reinstatement process has only been regulated into modern-day construction – which opens the concern surrounding relighting renovations in prior existing infrastructures. In these relighting projects, contractors are being faced with the task to reinforce the ceiling’s unprotected openings. So, how would a contractor go about rectifying this life safety hazard?

Key Tools to Successful Relighting Projects.

When determining your initial steps to confirm the integrity of your fire-rated ceiling, you need to detect if your ceiling needs to be properly fire-rated. As previously stated, it is common for contractors to not recognize the demand for passive fire protection for in-ceiling fixtures – especially if there isn’t any current passive fire protection present. Therefore, it is extremely critical to review your project’s plan and the International Building Code to determine if your relighting project will need a proper passive fire protection system. After this determination, it is critical to select the most appropriate fire-rated solution for the project itself. To name some of criteria to ponder in this selection is:

  • Does the fire-rated solution align with the stringent building code requirements in the Internation Building Code?
  • Has the fire-rated solution been properly tested and certified by an accredited third-party laboratory?
  • Will the installation of this solution meet the project’s personal demands, such as expected lead times and retrofitting demands?

When deciding on which fire-rated solution you will specify into your project, it is important to recognize if the solution can be installed into a pre-existing ceiling. Majority of fire-rated solutions, such as traditional fire-rated drywall boxes, are unable to installed into a pre-existing ceiling – adding major delays in project lead times and astronomical labor costs. Here at Tenmat, we have acknowledged these universal complications and have designed a line of fire-rated solutions to meet not only the building code; but, the demand of the individuals, who will be specifying and installing these solutions. Explore the benefits of choosing Tenmat’s Fire Rated Covers for relighting upgrades in pre-existing ceilings below:

Passive Fire Protection for Recessed Lighting Fixtures.

  • Universally, pre-existing buildings are looking to decrease their monthly energy costs – opting in for energy-efficient light fixtures. Some of the popular lighting fixtures used to complete this request include LED downlight wafers and troffer luminaires. At Tenmat, we have formulated a line of fire-rated enclosures to properly fire rate either an LED downlight or troffer. Understanding that these solutions will need to be placed into a pre-existing ceiling, Tenmat’s Fire Rated Covers for LED downlights and troffer luminaires can easily be retrofitted into the ceiling. To further explore this fire-rated technology, please click here.

Passive Fire Protection for In-Ceiling Loudspeakers.

  • As interior ambience and environment become an essential part of modern-day design, implementing in-ceiling loudspeakers have been a common upgrade in commercial spaces. However, the installation of these loudspeakers does expose the integrity of the fire-rated ceiling’s composition. Engineered to be retrofitted into a pre-existing ceiling, Tenmat’s FF109-FRSC 1 Hr. Fire Rated Speaker Cover is tailored to fire rate a wide range of in-ceiling loudspeakers, regardless of manufacturer or model. To learn more about the FF109-FRSC and its additional benefits, please click here.
If you any additional questions about Tenmat’s technology, please feel free to contact us here.

Common Mistakes in Relighting Projects.

With a clear vision on how an individual should proceed when working with passive fire protection in ceilings, it’s time to address some of the common mistakes one can face during installation. One of the most common mistakes during relighting upgrades is failing to maintain the integrity of specified fire-rated solutions. Cutting through fire-resistant ceilings to install new lighting fixtures or in-ceiling loudspeakers often leads to gaps or penetrations that are not properly sealed afterward. This oversight can significantly compromise the compartmentation of a building, allowing smoke and fire to spread more rapidly in an emergency. Contractors may also use incorrect materials for sealing penetrations, such as non-rated sealants, which do not meet fire protection standards. Ensuring that all penetrations are sealed with tested and approved fire-stopping systems is critical to maintaining the fire-resistance rating of the structure. To avoid this common issue, all Tenmat’s Fire-Rated Solutions do not require any additional tools or materials upon installation.

Still and all, there is one last major mistake that curates an improper fire-rated resistance ceiling– specifying improperly fire tested and certified products and materials. Repeatedly, contractors and specifiers have failed to recognize the difference between a solution that holds a proper vs. improper fire rating. For a solution to uphold a proper fire rating, the solution needs to undergo proper testing and certification from an accredited third-party testing facility, such as UL and Intertek. To review a product’s testing and certification, simply visit the manufacturer’s website, and review the solution’s listing, test report, or certification. If you are unable to locate the certification or questioning the authenticity of the certification, you can visit one of the national and international acclaimed independent third-party testing laboratories, such as Underwriter Laboratories (UL) or Intertek, and verify the solution’s testing. If you are unable to find the proper certification, the “fire-rated solution” is not properly fire tested. All of Tenmat’s Fire Rated Covers are properly tested and certified testing laboratories, such as UL and Intertek.

Conclusion

To wrap up this entire article into one statement, passive fire protection is a critical and often overlooked aspect of relighting renovations in existing buildings. As urban infrastructure evolves and renovation projects become more common practice, ensuring the safety of both the structure and its occupants must remain a top priority. Properly specifying and installing fire-rated solutions is essential for preserving the integrity of fire-resistance rated assemblies, particularly in ceiling upgrades that are often subject to unprotected openings caused by recessed lights and in-ceiling loudspeakers. By understanding the importance of both curating a cohesive fire protection system that incorporates both passive and active fire protection, construction professionals can not only comply with current building codes but also enhance the overall safety of redevelopment projects.

 

Avoiding common mistakes—such as failing to properly seal penetrations, using untested materials, and neglecting to verify fire ratings—can significantly reduce risks and ensure compliance with the latest safety standards. By taking the time to select high-quality, certified fire-rated products, like Tenmat’s Fire Rated Covers, construction teams can streamline the installation process, reduce delays, and ultimately provide greater peace of mind for building occupants. As the industry continues to innovate, combining modern technologies with reliable, passive fire protection will remain a cornerstone in ensuring the safety and longevity of both existing and future buildings.

Timber, Steel, and Life Safety: Passive Fire Protection in Modern Construction.

Learn More About the Standards of Passive Fire Protection in Modern Construction Practices.

Growing popularity for a major state university. Families relocating to the suburbs outside a rapidly developing city. Going demand for energy conservation practices in construction applications. For the past several decades, the United States has been swiftly developing its cities and towns, whether its repurposing outdated building structures, or constructing new facilities. Resulting from the rapid development, a multitude of modern construction practices, such as modular and mass timber construction, has emerged into the construction landscape.

As these practices appear in the construction scene, it is imperative that building code and life safety requirements are enforced and met. With passive fire protection upholding the safety of the lives and properties within our communities, building professionals and code officials need to properly identify the required firestopping solutions for each construction practice. In response, Tenmat has formulated an easy guide, which provides an overview of current construction applications and its associated passive fire protection requirements. Explore below and be proactive in protecting our communities from the disaster of a fire outbreak.

Overview

Testing 1, 2, 3 – Do You Have Life Safety? Advanced Passive Fire Protection in Audio Applications.

Whether you are installing in-ceiling loudspeakers in a newly renovated home cinema or mounting in-ceiling intercoms in new construction healthcare facilities, it is crucial that a high level of life safety is maintained. When these ceiling openings are left unprotected, flames, smoke, and heat are able to travel at an increased rate – jeopardizing the lives and property of these infrastructures. In response, passive fire protection solutions, such as Tenmat’s Fire Rated Enclosures, are designed to reinforce the integrity of the ceiling/floor assembly – causing the fire to be contained and allowing for additional evacuation time for occupants.

A blend of sound isolation, easy installation, and passive fire protection, TENMAT created the FF109-FRSC, a one-hour fire rated speaker cover. The FF109-FRSC 1 Hour Fire Rated Speaker is a dome-shaped intumescent enclosure which has been specifically designed to help maintain the integrity of fire-resistance rated ceiling/floor assemblies for one hour when penetrated by in-ceiling speakers. In addition, the sound absorbing properties of the propitiatory intumescent material enhance the acoustic performance of the speaker’s housing – allowing for a level of sound isolation.
If you want to learn more about the additional forms of passive fire protection in audio applications, please visit Audio Sector Page.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete Unsafe Facilities: Passive Fire Protection in Data Centers.

In the Digital Age, power-storage and data centers play a pivotal role in the storage, management, and processing of extensive digital information and computer systems. These facilities boast a sophisticated design, incorporating multiple storage devices, solid-state drives, and optical storage to cater to diverse and high-level client demands.

Given the substantial volume of through-penetration applications in these facilities, involving various electrical cables and wires, Tenmat has developed several UL Classified firestopping solutions to meet these specific demands. The FF160 Fire Protection Plug, a two-hour through-penetration firestop system, can be retrofitted within power and control cables, telecommunications cables, and optical fiber cables through solid floors or systems. UL Classified for a maximum of 60% cable fills in openings up to 5” diameter in concrete, this solution is easily customizable, making it ideal for power-generating energy stations. Additionally, our FF260 Fire Protection Block, a preformed, intumescent firestop block, is formulated to seal penetrations with cables, cable trays, cable bundles, metal pipes, and mixed penetrations, ensuring flame spread and smoke are halted for 120 minutes.

To gain additional knowledge about implementing the correct forms of passive fire protection into date centers, please visit Data Center Sector Page.

Educating Building Professionals About Advanced Firestopping Solutions in Educational Institutions.

Educational buildings, such as elementary and high schools (K12), university lecture halls, and vocational schools, are the starting grounds for the development of our current and future generations. One of the primary and most profound significances of passive fire protection is its capacity to save lives. In the unfortunate event of a fire outbreak, passive fire protection measures, such as fire-resistant materials, doors, and enclosures, act as a barrier, containing the spread of flames and smoke. This containment provides vital time for evacuation procedures to take place, ensuring the safety of students and staff. It is imperative to remember that in the chaotic atmosphere of a fire, seconds can make a crucial difference.

With T-Bar ceilings being fairly normalized in educational facilities, it is essential to develop a firestopping solution, which accommodates this life safety hazard. In line with the industry’s norm of suspended “T-Bar” ceilings, Tenmat engineered the FF130 – 2’ x 2’ and FF130 – 2’x4’ – a UL one-hour, fire-rated enclosure designed for troffer luminaires. With its ability to cater to any luminaire, regardless of any model or/and manufacturer, the FF130 – 2’ x 2’ and 2’ x 4’ allows architects and developers to choose their preferred lighting choice. Additionally, the flexible and lightweight nature of these covers allows for installation quickly and easily, significantly reducing labor costs compared to dry-walled box constructions.

Further educate yourself about the role passive fire protection plays in educational buildings by exploring the following link: Education Sector Page.

Creating the Equilibrium: Passive Fire Protection and Energy Conservation Solutions for Façade Systems.

In modern construction practices, the incorporation of external cladding and ventilated rainscreen systems have skyrocketed, serving as a dual purpose to enhancing a building’s aesthetics and providing effective protection against the elements. However, this innovative approach often leads to the creation of a cavity or void between the cladding and the building structure, a space crucial for ventilation and improved energy efficiency.

While this design strategy brings about notable advantages in terms of energy conservation and thermal performance, it also introduces a significant life safety challenge that demands careful consideration. The resulting void functions as an open chimney, posing a serious threat to the building’s structural integrity and the safety of its occupants. In the event of a fire this void becomes a conduit, allowing flames to spread rapidly both vertically and horizontally throughout the building.

In response to the massive life safety risks associated with this application, building codes, such as the 2022 NYC Building Code, has taken a proactive stance by identifying the challenges posed by concealed draft openings, both in vertical and horizontal orientations, within structures constructed using both combustible and noncombustible materials.
Tenmat’s FF102/50 Fire Blocks for rain screen systems are highly expansive intumescent fire blocks offering industry leading performance as Ventilated Cavity Fire Barriers / ‘Open State’ Cavity Fire Barriers and Façade Fire Block. The products have undergone extensive fire testing, including NFPA285, and are suitable for use within many construction types, enabling the versatile system to be specified with confidence and provide the installer with a simple, time saving and site friendly solution.

Expand your knowledge about the building code requirements and available solutions for façade systems by visiting Facades Sector Page.

A Band-Aid Won’t Fix the Aftermath: Implementing Passive Fire Protection in Healthcare Facilities.

Healthcare facilities play a vital role in our communities, serving as essential hubs for medical care, healing, and wellness. These facilities often cater to individuals who may have limited mobility, cognitive impairments, or other medical conditions that hinder their ability to respond quickly to a fire outbreak. Passive fire protection acts as a critical line of defense by compartmentalizing fires and preventing the rapid spread of flames, heat, and smoke. This containment allows for more time for evacuations, reduces the risk of smoke inhalation, and provides a safer environment for both residents and healthcare staff.

With a large-scale sanitary drainage and electrical wiring system within a healthcare facility, through-penetration is one of the key openings for flames and smoke, in the unfortunate event of a fire outbreak. As a result, Tenmat offers a full line of fire-rate solutions, designed for the small, irregular openings of through-penetration applications. Tenmat’s UL-Listed FF160 Fire Protection Plug is a flexible and lightweight material – ideal for retrofitting installation, as well as new construction of power and control cables, telecommunication cables, and optical fiber cables through sold floors or ceiling systems. For even smaller, irregular openings, Tenmat’s FF360 Fire Protection Foam can fire-rate irregular, hard-to-access, and large penetrations fast and effectively.

To broaden your understanding about the correct forms of passive fire protection required in healthcare facilities, please visit Healthcare Sector Page.

Shopping for Life Safety? Discover Various Forms of Passive Fire Protection in Hospitality Structures.

From luxury, all-inclusive resorts to your local shopping mall, the significance of maintaining high levels of life safety is crucial. With large volumes of people underneath a single structure, the outbreak of a fire possesses the potential to be catastrophic; therefore, implementing various forms of passive fire protection is essential.

Passive fire protection systems, such as TENMAT’s intumescent materials and solutions, serve as the first line of defense by containing fires, allowing more time for evacuation, and minimizing property damage. This not only protects the lives of guests and staff, but also helps preserve the reputation and financial stability of the hospitality industry. TENMAT offers a wide range of pre-designed solutions to reinforce the compromised integrity of fire-resistance rated ceiling assemblies in hospitality and retail applications.

With the affordability and design freedom of LED downlights, hospitality structures have grown to include these type of lighting fixtures in renovations and new construction of this form of application. TENMAT’s 109-200 and FF109-250s are designed to accommodate the future of lighting – LED downlights and with this solution’s retrofitting capabilities, it accommodates the bustling environments of hospitality and retail environments.

To discover more about the appropriate passive fire protection in hospitality structures, please visit Hospitality Sector Page.

The Age of Industrialization and Life Safety: Implementing Firestopping Technology in Industrial and Commercial Applications.

Whether you are developing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for a growing industry leader, or building additional warehouses for a consumer good giant, the importance of protecting its occupants and property is critical. In the unfortunate event of a fire, the lives of the structure’s employees and the physical assets of the facility are in danger of being consumed by smoke and flames. With the implementation of passive fire protection, it provides additional time for building occupants to evacuate, and an increased response time for first responders to extinguish the fire outbreak.

Many of these applications have irregular, hard-to-access, and/or small penetrations, which poses a threat when an outbreak of a fire occurs. These small, irregular openings allow for the flames, heat, and smoke to travel faster within a building, causing the number of lives and costly property damage to significantly increase. In response, Tenmat has formulated a line of pre-made solutions that cater to these irregular, hard-to-access openings.

Tenmat offers a wide range of pre-designed solutions to reinforce the compromised integrity of fire-resistance rated drywall or concrete wall and/or ceiling assemblies in industrial and commercial applications. Whether you are trying to fire-rate power and control cables, telecommunication cables, optical fiber cables, cable trays, cable bundles, metal pipes, or/and mixed penetrations, Tenmat offers a readily available solution.

To explore further about advanced passive fire protection for industrial and commercial applications, please visit Commercial Sector Page.

Master the Trade of Mass Timber and Passive Fire Protection Technology.

In recent years, the push for a smaller carbon footprint and faster lead times in construction practices resulted in the development of mass timber. Mass timber construction is built using a category of engineered wood products typically made of large, solid wood panels, columns or beams often manufactured off-site for load-bearing wall, floor, and roof construction. It offers sustainability, design flexibility, efficiency, structural performance, and myriad other advantages position it as a frontrunner in the movement towards more responsible and eco-conscious building practices.

For joint and gap sealing applications in mass timber, cross-laminated timber (CLT), and glulam, Tenmat has developed a line of state-of-the-art intumescent materials and solutions, each designed with the capability to be versatile in various applications. Tenmat’s FIREFLY 107 is an exceptionally powerful intumescent which combines fast reaction with high expansion and pressure generation – producing a solid char of good integrity. With its composition, the FF107 is applicable in construction joints and gaps. If the application requires a highly flexible firestopping material, Tenmat’s Firefly 104E is the optimal building block for this function. Its flexible nature allows for its ability to be applied into door and glazing seals, door hardware and ironmongery protection, damper seals, gap sealing or a variety of gasketing applications.

To gain additional knowledge about implementing the correct forms of passive fire protection into mass timber structures, please visit Mass Timber Sector Page.

Be The Role Model in Off-Site Construction: Explore the Demand for Passive Fire Protection in Modular Construction Practices.

Over the past several years, there has been a sharp increase in demand for more effective and efficient building processes within the construction industry. This heightened demand primarily stems from the limitations associated with traditional construction practices, including issues related to safety, construction quality, and project timelines. The answer to this problem is modular or off-site construction.

Modular, or off-site, construction practices have an assortment of benefits, compared to traditional construction practices; however, the demand for passive fire protection is equivalent to the demands in traditional construction practices. By building in passive fire protection at the point of manufacture, off-site structures offer builders a vast range of benefits making final construction an easier task.

From edge protection to through penetration, Tenmat offers “no build” UL fire-tested solutions, which have the ability to be installed in a matter of seconds and the flexibility to cater to the most difficult openings with no additional assembly or tools. Tenmat’s Firefly FF107 is an exceptionally powerful intumescent which combines fast reaction with high expansion and pressure generation. This material allows for an additional thickness for construction joint and gap sealing applications where the high expansion characteristics lead to economical material usage. If you are seeking to fire rate smaller wall penetrations, Tenmat offers a fire protection foam, the FF360. This sealant is recommended for blank openings, metal pipes, conduits, wires, and mixed penetrations in solid floors and ceilings.

To become an expert about passive fire protection standards in modular construction, please visit Modular Sector Page.

Multiply the Use of Passive Fire Protection in Multi-Family Complexes.

Conforming with the standards of implementing energy efficiency and accelerated construction practices, Type V-A construction has taken root in our modern, new communities. With its wood composition, these buildings provide excellent design flexibility, allowing for diverse architectural styles and layouts, making this practice optimal for residents, developers, and architects. Common applications of Type V-A construction include apartment complexes and condominiums. These structures house a multitude of families and individuals, which heightens the level of importance of installing passive fire protection solutions. By containing the smoke and flames, slowing their spread, and providing a longer evacuation period, passive fire protection not only reduces the loss of life but also ensures the integrity of the multi-family structure.

One of the main causes of the rapid spread of flames, smoke, and heat is the unprotected ceiling openings, caused by recessed can lights, LED downlights, and in-ceiling loudspeakers. When penetrating a fire-resistance rated ceiling with a lighting or speaker fixture, it compromises the integrity of a fire-resistance ceiling/floor assembly. Once a fire begins, the composition of the in-ceiling fixture melts within 15 minutes, allowing for heat, flames, and smoke to travel at a swift pace throughout the structure. In response, Tenmat has created a line of fire-rated enclosures, designed to fit over standard recessed can lights, oversized can lights, LED downlights, and in-ceiling speakers.

To learn more about applicable passive fire protection solutions and materials for multi-family structures, please visit Multi-Family Sector Page.

Wrapping It Up

To conclude, it is essential to keep our current and future communities safe from the unfortunate event of a fire outbreak. Here at Tenmat, we offer a full product range of firestopping solutions and materials, ranging from recessed can lights, in-ceiling loudspeakers, through-penetration systems, and so much more. To learn more about our full catalogue, please visit Application Overview or contact one of our specialists at +1-800-821-3436.