Firestopping is more than filling a hole
Cables, pipes and building services have to pass through walls and floors, but every penetration through a fire-resisting element can compromise its performance. A firestop penetration seal is intended to restrict the passage of fire, hot gases and heat for the required period.
That is why choosing a product labelled “fire resistant” is not enough. Opening size, wall or floor construction, service type and dimensions, insulation, spacing and seal depth must match the tested or assessed firestop system.
Cable, pipe and mixed penetrations
Typical projects include cable penetrations, plastic and metal pipes, insulated services and mixed openings containing several types of building services. Mixed penetrations in particular require careful system selection because the complete configuration matters.
- cables, cable bundles and cable trays
- plastic, metal and insulated pipes
- mixed penetrations with multiple service types
- joints and other openings in fire-resisting compartment boundaries
Why we use Hilti firestop systems
TREE uses Hilti systems and materials for passive fire protection and firestop installation. Depending on the penetration, the solution may include firestop sealants, foams, mortars, coated boards, blocks, intumescent collars or wraps.
The value is in selecting a documented system for the actual site condition. There is no single product for every opening – the solution has to match the supporting construction, services, dimensions and required fire-resistance performance.
EI 60, EI 90 and EI 120 – what do the ratings mean?
E relates to integrity and I to thermal insulation under fire exposure. The number indicates the classified duration in minutes achieved by a defined configuration under the relevant test and classification procedure.
An EI 90 classification is therefore not a universal property of a cartridge, mortar or collar on its own. It applies to a tested or assessed assembly, so the supporting construction, penetration details and installation method must stay within the scope of the selected system.
European technical framework – and why national rules still matter
For projects in the EU, construction products and declared performance sit within the European construction-products framework. Penetration seals are assessed and classified using European technical documents and standards, including EAD 350454-00-1104, EN 1366-3 for penetration-seal fire testing and EN 13501-2 for fire-resistance classification.
Building and fire-safety requirements are still applied nationally and, in some countries, regionally. For that reason we do not attach UK, German or Slovenian law to a general English-language page: the project country, design documentation and the evidence for the selected system determine the applicable requirements.
- Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 for construction products
- EAD 350454-00-1104 for penetration seals
- EN 1366-3 – fire resistance tests for penetration seals
- EN 13501-2 – fire-resistance classification
Need a firestop quotation for your project?
For a faster technical review and quotation, send us the project specification or bill of quantities, penetration photos, wall and floor details, service types and dimensions, the required EI rating, project location and planned installation period.
TREE installs Hilti firestop systems based on the actual penetration conditions and the documentation for the selected system.