Quelfire’s fire sleeves play an important role in preventing the spread of fire in buildings where certain service penetrations cross compartment lines. We offer two different types of fire sleeves: the QRS Intumescent Fire Sleeve and the QIF Insulated Fire Sleeve, each designed to address specific firestopping needs.
What are the main differences between the two fire sleeves?
The QRS Intumescent Fire Sleeve is designed to firestop rectangular or circular plastic vent ducts penetrating through walls. In contrast, the QIF Insulated Fire Sleeve specialises in firestopping combustible plastic and non-combustible metal pipes for walls and floors. The main difference between these two firestopping products is their physical composition. The QRS Intumescent Fire Sleeve consists of a continuous-pressed steel shell, whilst the QIF Insulated Fire Sleeve features a reinforced foil outer containing an insulating mineral fibre. Despite their differing appearance, both products contain a core of graphite-based intumescent, meaning they function in a similar way.
How do fire sleeves work?
Intumescent works by reacting to high temperatures, expanding in volume whilst decreasing in density. At around the 200°C mark, this material forms a robust carbonaceous char that effectively closes any openings left behind by the melting services. This char effectively works as a plug, preventing smoke and fire from entering the next compartment – known as fire compartmentation.
The metal shell and reinforced foil outer of the fire sleeves work to stop the intumescent from expanding outwards, containing the pressure in the circular space.
Application and installation
When installing a QIF Insulated Fire Sleeve, it should be centrally positioned within the fire-separating element, QuelStop Fire Batt, or QF2 Fire Protection Compound depending on the application detail being used. It requires no mechanical fixings and can either be retrofitted around the pipe or simply slid onto the pipe during installation.
Similarly, a QRS Intumescent Fire Sleeve needs to be centrally positioned within the wall or QuelStop Fire Batt and must be either flush or protruding from both sides of the wall in accordance with the relevant installation detail. It also does not need mechanical fixings or framework support. Instead, it relies on either the fire-separating element or QuelStop Fire Batt to hold it firmly in place.
For the easiest installation, simply hinge open the lid, ensure a tight fit around the duct, and then secure it shut using the self-adhesive tape (or self-tapping screws in the case of circular fire sleeves). Once secured, the intumescent fire sleeve can be slid along the duct into the wall construction. It can also be retrofitted into the wall.
