What is the main reason firestop products are considered necessary?

Firestop products are deemed necessary primarily because they help meet code requirements and significantly enhance life safety. Building codes often mandate the use of firestop systems to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through openings and penetrations in walls, floors, and ceilings. This is crucial in maintaining compartmentalization—a fire safety strategy that limits the spread of fire, thus providing occupants more time to escape safely and reducing damage to property.

Firestop products are specifically engineered to seal gaps and openings, ensuring that fire-resistance ratings of walls and floors are maintained. By effectively containing fires to their origin, these materials are vital for protecting lives, allowing for safer evacuation routes, and minimizing potential hazards during a fire outbreak. Their role in life safety is recognized and enforced through various building codes, establishing compliance requirements that reinforce their necessity in construction and renovation projects.