Firestop technology
In 1980, a fire started on the first floor of the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, killing 85 people.
Of the 85 who died, 68 were on the top floor of the building. They were killed by smoke that raced through the hidden passages behind the walls of the building, where plumbing and electrical services were routed.
New fire codes and new ideas
More Firestop Information
In the aftermath of the Las Vegas fire, building codes were changed, and approaches to fire safety changed as well. Prior to the fire, however, fire safety consisted of two strategies: fire detection and fire suppression.
Fire detection relies on smoke and heat detectors that provide warnings when a fire breaks out.
Fire suppression consists of sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and other technologies for putting out a fire once it has begun.
Firestop: a fireproof box within a box
The newest approach to fire safety is known as firestop. The logic of firestop is that if a fire starts in one part of a building, it can be contained before it spreads to the rest of the building.
Firestop design consists of compartments inside a building. Some call this concept “a box within a box.” Walls, floors, and ceilings are now rated on their capacity to keep a fire from spreading to additional building compartments. The hidden passages where the plumbing and electrical systems are routed also have to be sealed, as they can supply fresh oxygen to a fire and channel deadly smoke into the rest of the building.
Sealing those passages can be a difficult task because buildings move and settle. Furthermore, new technologies such as the internet and cable television have created additional demands for space through which wires and cables can pass.
CRS is a leader in firestop technology
A particular expertise is required to manage these challenges effectively. Comprehensive Risk Services has become the Phoenix metro area’s preeminent expert in firestop technology. Our certified technicians understand the correct way to install the latest firestop barriers. We work with building managers to bring their facilities up to firestop standards, and we collaborate with designers and contractors to be sure new construction is firestop-safe.
