Spacing guidance for MEP designers and contractors to correctly plan service penetrations across compartmentation lines when designing BWIC (Builders’ Work in Connection) openings.

We have launched our new Golden Principles for Designing BWICs Guidance to support architects, designers, contractors, and other industry professionals in considering firestopping spacing requirements during early design stages. 

The Industry Challenge

Neglecting spacing requirements at the design stage often leads to major challenges later on.

Poor coordination and late consideration of firestopping are issues the construction industry sees all too often, which can lead to redesigns, rework, hidden costs, and delays. 

A significant challenge projects face is the buildability of applications. What may seem compliant at design level may not always be possible on site, with factors such as insufficient spacing or access making the firestopping of service penetrations even more complex. 

Our spacing guidance is designed to address these challenges and offer simple recommendations, encouraging the use of tested firestopping details to ensure compliance with building regulations. 

What's Inside?

With collaboration and early engagement at the heart of the guidance document, 6 key principles are covered:

1. Spacing of Services: Explaining the definitions of different service types and emphasising the importance of spacing.
2. Spacing of Apertures: Reviewing the key rules for spacing and sizing of apertures.
3. Maximum Aperture Sizes: Looking at maximum aperture sizes for flexible and rigid walls, shaft wall, white wall, and other wall and floor systems.
4. Types of Insulation: Providing an overview of the types and thicknesses of insulation tested on different pipes.
5. Service Supports: Exploring the ‘400mm from the face of the seal’ rule, and what material a service support should be.
6. Acoustic: Highlighting the QuelStop Fire Stop System Acoustic Report.

Craig Wells, Sales Director, said: "As an industry, we need to continue moving towards a more collaborative approach to design. The increasing focus on early engagement and the transition from the traditional 'design and build' model to a more robust 'design then build' approach is most welcome, and presents a significant opportunity to improve outcomes. 

Achieving this requires greater communication, attention to detail, and collaboration between all stakeholders from the very start. This document, together with ongoing knowledge sharing, technical support, and industry engagement, is intended to support that journey. Ultimately, we must all recognise our responsibility for protecting people and property. 

Regardless of whether we believe we are directly responsible for designing the firestopping, the decisions we make and the information we provide can significantly impact others' ability to deliver compliant fire protection measures. 

By embracing these Golden Principles at the earliest stages of a project, we can create a smoother path to compliance, improve project outcomes, and, most importantly, contribute to delivering safer buildings for everyone."The 6 Golden Principles for Designing BWICs Guidance is free of charge and aims to support better firestopping design and increase knowledge sharing across the construction industry, with the end goal of protecting people and property. 

Browse the document or don't hesitate to contact the team with any further queries.