Glossary - Intumescent Strip

Definition

An Intumescent Strip is a passive fire protection component commonly used in fire doors and fire stopping solutions. Made from materials that expand when exposed to heat, these strips seal the gaps around fire doors, windows, and other penetrative services through walls or floors, effectively preventing the spread of fire and smoke.

What They Are

Intumescent strips, also known as intumescent seals, are crucial for enhancing the fire resistance of doors and compartments within buildings. They are thin layers of fire-reactive material housed within or around the fire door frame. Upon exposure to extreme heat, they expand significantly, filling the gaps and creating a tight seal against fire and smoke.

How They Work

• Activation: The intumescent material is engineered to activate at specific temperatures, usually around the point at which a fire becomes life-threatening, typically between 200°C and 250°C.

• Expansion: Upon activation, the strip expands to many times its original size, creating an insulating barrier.

• Sealing: This expansion seals off the gap between the door edge and frame, preventing the passage of fire and smoke, and thus, maintaining the compartmentation of the building.

Intumescent strips are a key element of fire safety design, offering a simple yet highly effective method of enhancing the fire resistance of doors and pass-throughs.