Passive Fire Protection and Tenmat.

Collage showing fire protection systems with the text: The Evolution of Passive Fire Protection.

Explore how Tenmat’s Advanced Intumescent Solutions and Materials have shaped the future of passive fire protection in modern-day construction.

As of 2024, the United States is home to 19,479 cities, towns, and villages – each containing an even greater number of communities. Now, each community can contain a multitude of different structures. Some contain bustling shopping malls, others are developing new multi-family complexes, certain ones include a wide range of various healthcare centers, and a number of them hold all the above and more.

Not one community is the exact same. But every community wants to protect the people and property within theirs. Therefore, whenever a community is getting a “face lift” or expanding internally or externally, life safety is the No.1 priority of the growing community.

To uphold this priority, communities need to prepare its redeveloping or new-construction buildings to withstand all potential disasters – especially the unexcepted ones.

The Beginning of Passive Fire Protection

Fire outbreaks have always been known to negatively impacted communities, especially when it comes to protecting properties and the lives within them. Over hundreds of years, countless safety measures have been put into place to fight off the potential damage of fires. From fire extinguishers to automated sprinkler systems, building code officials, construction professionals, and community members believed that they all their bases were covered.

However, this assumption was incorrect. Before 2006, unprotected openings were an unrecognized life safety hazard in many communities. These openings included openings created from recessed lights, in-ceiling loudspeakers, wires, cables, etc. Without being properly reinforced, these openings acted as a catalyst for the fire. Without these openings being improperly fire-rated, heat, smoke, and flames can spread rapidly throughout the building – endangering the integrity of the building and the lives of its occupants.

As a result of this discovery, the 2006 International Building Code adopted several building codes which required construction professionals to reinstate the fire-resistance rating of a wall, ceiling, or floor assembly. This is where we introduce the concept of passive fire protection.

Passive Fire Protection is the system which slows or prevents the spread of fire within a building – utilizing fire-rated materials and solutions to achieve this.  This system works by using fire-rated solutions, such as intumescent recessed light covers, to contain fire, heat, and smoke, by limiting heat and fire spread to a single compartment within the building.

Causing fires to become smaller and contained, passive fire protection (PFP) systems have the ability to increase the response time for first responders and provide additional evacuation time for the building’s occupants.

Tenmat’s POV: The Importance of Passive Fire Protection

Following the building code adoptions, construction professionals were seeking PFP solutions and materials that can resolve the unprotected openings within their design details. However, construction professionals struggled to find a fire-rated solution, which has been

  1. Properly tested and certified by an accredited third-party testing laboratory,
  2. Fitted to meet the design requirements of the application, and
  3. Engineered to be easily installed into a wide range of building types.

Dedicated to protecting the safety of present and future communities, Tenmat developed an adaptable form of passive fire protection technology, intumescents. With the release of this technology, construction professionals were now able to meet local building codes while simultaneously fulfilling their design concepts.

Through our manufacturing capability to produce intumescents, which offer various expansion rates and char production, Tenmat’s Advanced Intumescents can protect a wide range of unprotected openings.

With this versatility, our intumescents can be specified into a diverse range of unprotected openings. From ventilated air cavities in a rainscreen assembly to recessed fixtures in a fire-rated ceiling assembly, Tenmat’s Advanced Intumescent Materials and Solutions can reinforce the integrity of these fire-resistance rated assemblies.

Intumescents in Passive Fire Protection

As previously mentioned, our Intumescent Solutions and Materials can meet the design requirements + passive fire protection standards of a wide range of building types. To discover our capabilities for each popular building type, please explore our quick overview.

 

Modern home theater with a large screen, cozy sofa, and blue accent lighting; Audio text above.Rows of black server racks in a data center with Data Centers text and a More Information button.Classroom with round tables, chairs, bookshelves, TV, and a whiteboard; Education text at the top.A modern building facade with reflective glass panels and Facades text in bold red letters.

 

Hospital hallway with white floors and walls, labeled “Healthcare,” and a “More Information” button.Spacious, modern hospitality lobby with wooden furniture, large windows, and warm lighting.Modern white office building by a pond, labeled Industrial/Commercial. More Information button shown.Close-up of a mass timber joint with a gray insulation layer, and text reading Mass Timber and More Information.Several modular buildings under construction inside a large industrial warehouse, with Modular text above.Modern multi-family apartment building with large windows, under a clear blue sky, and a More Information button.

Enforcing Life Safety + Passive Fire Protection

Even though, Tenmat’s Solutions and Materials evolved alongside modern construction – the visibility of passive fire protection in modern construction remains on the lower side. Admittedly, this lack of visibility remains valid, due to the extensive, ongoing list of safety measures code officials and construction professionals are required to memorize and specify.

On top of curating our wide range of Advanced Intumescent Solutions and Materials, Tenmat is dedicated to educating local building code officials and construction professionals about unprotected openings in numerous building types. To encourage these individuals to gain more knowledge about these life safety hazards, we offer free 1-1 educational webinars for anyone who may be interested.

Schedule Your Free Educational Webinar Here.

AIA Course: Intumescent Fire Block for Ventilated Rainscreen Systems

Safety Hazards for Unprotected Ceiling Openings

Final Remarks

As communities across the United States continue to grow and evolve, so too must the strategies used to protect them. Passive fire protection can no longer be a secondary consideration – it is one of key components in the foundation of our future infrastructures.

Here at Tenmat, our Advanced Intumescent Solutions and Materials have not only addressed a once-overlooked life safety hazard but have also redefined how unprotected openings are managed in fire-rated assemblies.

By combining innovation, rigorous testing, and practical design adaptability, Tenmat encourages architects, builders, and building code officials to meet today’s safety standards without compromising on design or functionality.

As we look forward to the future, Tenmat remains committed to advancing passive fire protection technologies and educating industry professionals about relevant building code adoptions – ensuring that every structure, in every community, is built with safety from its core.

Protecting Patients with Passive Fire Protection.

Hospital corridor with text: Passive Fire Protection in Healthcare Facilities and red hexagon graphics.

Discover how Tenmat’s Fire-Rated Light Covers and Through-Penetration Solutions play a core role in protecting our community’s health centers and assisted living facilities.

Ambulance sirens blaring. Intercoms reporting incoming emergencies. Medical monitoring devices beeping and whirling. Medical centers, such as hospitals and assisted living facilities, are always bustling with activity and people.

With its prime functionality of keeping our communities healthy, healthcare facilities are required to be fully operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

However, in rare incidents, there are times when a healthcare center’s operations are compromised. One of those rare incidents would be an active fire outbreak. An active fire has the potential to endanger immobile patients, healthcare professionals, and expensive medical equipment.

In addition to its original endangerment, active fire outbreaks are known to accelerate rapidly within healthcare infrastructures. Why? Simply, unprotected openings.

Diagnosing the Issue: Unprotected Openings.

When analyzing the integrity of a healthcare building’s fire protection, any time a component breaks a barrier, such as a ceiling or floor, the assembly is now compromised. As one can suspect, there are endless unprotected openings in floors, ceilings, and walls.

But why are these openings considered life safety hazards? In short, these openings as a prime pathway for a fire to accelerate throughout a structure. When these fixtures are placed into their applications, often, these fixtures melt under the high temperatures of a fire. With the melted fixture, there is no barrier between the fire and its access to the remainder of the building. The question is “How do you identify these unprotected openings in a redevelopment or new construction project?”

Fixing the Fracture: Specifying Fire-Rated Light Covers.

Whether it’s lighting a surgical operating room or ensuring medical professionals are aware of important announcements, recessed can lights, troffer luminaires, or in-ceiling loudspeakers are common components in healthcare facilities. As previously mentioned, when these recessed fixtures are installed into these assemblies – the assembly now compromised. The main reason why is because these recessed fixtures melt in a matter of minutes.

Once melted, smoke and flames can quickly accelerate upwards and sideways in a building – drastically depleting evacuation and response times. In a structure where many patients are immobile or medically inclined, the non-existent evacuation time puts these individuals in critical danger.

To eliminate this potential scenario, building code officials have adopted building requirements where these unprotected ceiling openings are reinforced with a form of passive fire protection.

Here at Tenmat, we have formulated our Fire-Rated Covers to be applicable in various applications – especially in healthcare-related infrastructures. Explore our fire-rated covers for recessed can lights, troffer luminaires, and in-ceiling loudspeakers below:

Three fire-rated covers for recessed can lights with bulleted features and a red background.

Blue in-ceiling speaker fire cover with key features listed on a red and cream background.Treating the Tumor of Through-Penetration Openings.

In parallel with unprotected ceiling openings, through penetration openings pose as a major threat as well. Even though cables, wires, and optical cables tend to be minor in size; once melted – these openings become anything but minor.

With these components being necessary for building functionality, it is imperative that architects specify proper passive to ensure the highest levels of building functionality and fire protection.

At Tenmat, we offer a wide range of firestopping solutions and materials – applicable in a multitude of through-penetration applications. Explore Tenmat’s Intumescent Through Penetration Solutions below:

Red banner showing fire protection products, a checklist, and text highlighting intumescent firestop solutions.

In Recovery.

In the realm of healthcare, every second counts – and so does every layer of proper passive fire protection. Fires, while rare, can create devasting consequences in facilities filled with vulnerable patients, critical medical equipment, and around the clock operations. Therefore, addressing passive fire protection isn’t just a building code requirement – it’s non-negotiable.

Unprotected openings, whether in the form of ceiling fixtures or through-penetrations, can turn a minor incident into a tragedy in minutes. Our Fire-Rated Light Covers and Through-Penetration Solutions provide essential, code-compliant defense mechanisms that preserve the integrity of fire-rated assembles and buy time in emergencies.

When it comes to protecting healthcare spaces, Tenmat provides peace of mind – preventing smoke and flame spread before they ever have a chance to spread.

“Reconstruct” the Way You Do PFP.

Text reads Passive Fire Protection in Reconstruction with building, pool, and construction material images.

Explore the process of specifying appropriate passive fire protection solutions into active and future reconstruction projects.

Opening Up the Floor.

In the modern world of construction, we always discuss the latest practices and technological innovations for new construction – so, what about pre-existing buildings? From preserving historical structures to repurposing outdated buildings, redevelopment projects have become an increasing trend in the landscape. However, construction professionals are facing a huge challenge – specifying appropriate passive fire protection systems into these modernized infrastructures – especially when it comes to relighting renovations and audio additions.

To address this growing safety issue, Tenmat will be reviewing the following in this article:

  • The purpose of implementing passive fire protection, and how it coordinates with previously installed active fire protection systems,
  • Why passive fire protection is essential when renewing the lighting and/or audio systems in pre-existing buildings, and the
  • Key strategies and common mistakes that arise when specifying passive fire protection in ceiling upgrades and renovations.

By examining the purpose, benefits, and key strategies of specifying passive fire protection, this discussion aims to equip construction professionals with the insights needed to enhance safety and efficiency in relighting renovations and beyond. Let’s dive into the essential considerations that will allow our present and future buildings to provide true peace of mind for their occupants.

Understanding the Balance of Passive and Active.

Often, when curating the plans and specifications for new construction projects, architectural engineers ensure all 1) building code regulations are properly met, and 2) the appropriate technology and/or solutions are accurately installed. However, if you are a member of the construction landscape, you understand the turnaround of amending building regulations – an almost everyday occurrence. Therefore, it is fairly common that when remodeling a pre-existing building, parts of the structure aren’t aligned with the current version of the building code. Due to this typical complication, the project’s construction team will need to update the structure to meet the current building code requirements – especially when it comes to life safety.

Regardless of whether you are standing present-day in a late 19th century or 21st century building, you will be able to easily detect standard, updated active fire protection systems, such as fire sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers. On the other hand, the rapid adoption of various passive fire protection requirements creates a high level of difficulty for recently built infrastructures to even meet the most up-to-date code. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that these passive fire protection systems are updated properly when a pre-existing building is experiencing a remodel.

Why Does It Matter.

Why? Well, it resides with one the main reasons on why we specify passive fire protection systems in the first place – the safety of lives and property. Often, during remodeling projects, a variety of                 violations of the fire code arise; however, there is one single safety issue that flies under the radar– unprotected ceiling openings. Intermittently, architects and developers tend to be unfamiliar with or overlook Section 714.5.2 of the 2021 IBC, which addresses the significance of properly fire rating unprotected ceiling openings. When installed into a fire-resistance rated ceiling/floor assembly, recessed ceiling fixtures, whether it be a lighting or audio, allows a clear pathway for an active fire to travel. When exposed to the high temperatures of a fire for several minutes, the ceiling fixture is reduced to nothing – allowing heat, flames, and smoke to rapidly accelerate throughout a building.

To tackle this life safety hazard, modern day architects have begun specifying proper passive fire protection measures to certify that these openings are sealed properly, and the assembly’s integrity is reinstated. Alas, this reinstatement process has only been regulated into modern-day construction – which opens the concern surrounding relighting renovations in prior existing infrastructures. In these relighting projects, contractors are being faced with the task to reinforce the ceiling’s unprotected openings. So, how would a contractor go about rectifying this life safety hazard?

Key Tools to Successful Relighting Projects.

When determining your initial steps to confirm the integrity of your fire-rated ceiling, you need to detect if your ceiling needs to be properly fire-rated. As previously stated, it is common for contractors to not recognize the demand for passive fire protection for in-ceiling fixtures – especially if there isn’t any current passive fire protection present. Therefore, it is extremely critical to review your project’s plan and the International Building Code to determine if your relighting project will need a proper passive fire protection system. After this determination, it is critical to select the most appropriate fire-rated solution for the project itself. To name some of criteria to ponder in this selection is:

  • Does the fire-rated solution align with the stringent building code requirements in the Internation Building Code?
  • Has the fire-rated solution been properly tested and certified by an accredited third-party laboratory?
  • Will the installation of this solution meet the project’s personal demands, such as expected lead times and retrofitting demands?

When deciding on which fire-rated solution you will specify into your project, it is important to recognize if the solution can be installed into a pre-existing ceiling. Majority of fire-rated solutions, such as traditional fire-rated drywall boxes, are unable to installed into a pre-existing ceiling – adding major delays in project lead times and astronomical labor costs. Here at Tenmat, we have acknowledged these universal complications and have designed a line of fire-rated solutions to meet not only the building code; but, the demand of the individuals, who will be specifying and installing these solutions. Explore the benefits of choosing Tenmat’s Fire Rated Covers for relighting upgrades in pre-existing ceilings below:

Passive Fire Protection for Recessed Lighting Fixtures.

  • Universally, pre-existing buildings are looking to decrease their monthly energy costs – opting in for energy-efficient light fixtures. Some of the popular lighting fixtures used to complete this request include LED downlight wafers and troffer luminaires. At Tenmat, we have formulated a line of fire-rated enclosures to properly fire rate either an LED downlight or troffer. Understanding that these solutions will need to be placed into a pre-existing ceiling, Tenmat’s Fire Rated Covers for LED downlights and troffer luminaires can easily be retrofitted into the ceiling. To further explore this fire-rated technology, please click here.

Passive Fire Protection for In-Ceiling Loudspeakers.

  • As interior ambience and environment become an essential part of modern-day design, implementing in-ceiling loudspeakers have been a common upgrade in commercial spaces. However, the installation of these loudspeakers does expose the integrity of the fire-rated ceiling’s composition. Engineered to be retrofitted into a pre-existing ceiling, Tenmat’s FF109-FRSC 1 Hr. Fire Rated Speaker Cover is tailored to fire rate a wide range of in-ceiling loudspeakers, regardless of manufacturer or model. To learn more about the FF109-FRSC and its additional benefits, please click here.
If you any additional questions about Tenmat’s technology, please feel free to contact us.

Common Mistakes in Relighting Projects.

With a clear vision on how an individual should proceed when working with passive fire protection in ceilings, it’s time to address some of the common mistakes one can face during installation. One of the most common mistakes during relighting upgrades is failing to maintain the integrity of specified fire-rated solutions. Cutting through fire-resistant ceilings to install new lighting fixtures or in-ceiling loudspeakers often leads to gaps or penetrations that are not properly sealed afterward. This oversight can significantly compromise the compartmentation of a building, allowing smoke and fire to spread more rapidly in an emergency. Contractors may also use incorrect materials for sealing penetrations, such as non-rated sealants, which do not meet fire protection standards. Ensuring that all penetrations are sealed with tested and approved fire-stopping systems is critical to maintaining the fire-resistance rating of the structure. To avoid this common issue, all Tenmat’s Fire-Rated Solutions do not require any additional tools or materials upon installation.

Still and all, there is one last major mistake that curates an improper fire-rated resistance ceiling– specifying improperly fire tested and certified products and materials. Repeatedly, contractors and specifiers have failed to recognize the difference between a solution that holds a proper vs. improper fire rating. For a solution to uphold a proper fire rating, the solution needs to undergo proper testing and certification from an accredited third-party testing facility, such as UL and Intertek. To review a product’s testing and certification, simply visit the manufacturer’s website, and review the solution’s listing, test report, or certification. If you are unable to locate the certification or questioning the authenticity of the certification, you can visit one of the national and international acclaimed independent third-party testing laboratories, such as Underwriter Laboratories (UL) or Intertek, and verify the solution’s testing. If you are unable to find the proper certification, the “fire-rated solution” is not properly fire tested. All of Tenmat’s Fire Rated Covers are properly tested and certified testing laboratories, such as UL and Intertek.

Conclusion

To wrap up this entire article into one statement, passive fire protection is a critical and often overlooked aspect of relighting renovations in existing buildings. As urban infrastructure evolves and renovation projects become more common practice, ensuring the safety of both the structure and its occupants must remain a top priority. Properly specifying and installing fire-rated solutions is essential for preserving the integrity of fire-resistance rated assemblies, particularly in ceiling upgrades that are often subject to unprotected openings caused by recessed lights and in-ceiling loudspeakers. By understanding the importance of both curating a cohesive fire protection system that incorporates both passive and active fire protection, construction professionals can not only comply with current building codes but also enhance the overall safety of redevelopment projects.

 

Avoiding common mistakes—such as failing to properly seal penetrations, using untested materials, and neglecting to verify fire ratings—can significantly reduce risks and ensure compliance with the latest safety standards. By taking the time to select high-quality, certified fire-rated products, like Tenmat’s Fire Rated Covers, construction teams can streamline the installation process, reduce delays, and ultimately provide greater peace of mind for building occupants. As the industry continues to innovate, combining modern technologies with reliable, passive fire protection will remain a cornerstone in ensuring the safety and longevity of both existing and future buildings.

“Re-Wiring” Your Brain on Through-Penetration PFP.

Red text reads “Passive Fire Protection for Through-Penetration Applications” above fire safety products and a brick.

Discover how properly fire-rated through-penetration openings play a pivotal role in protecting our current and future communities.

Passive Fire Protection in Modern Construction

“Are these ceiling openings properly fire rated?” “Do I need a one-hour or two-hour fire rating for this recessed can light?” “Are you installing intumescent material into your ventilated rainscreen system?” Over the past several construction seasons, these various questions have been asked on active job sites and in planning rooms: however, all of these questions circle back to one popular topic – passive fire protection. With its prominent impact on life safety, passive fire protection has overtaken the construction landscape by storm – especially with unprotected openings. Often, we associate unprotected openings within ceiling assemblies, which have been penetrated by recessed can lights, LED downlights, troffer luminaires and/or in-ceiling loudspeakers. However, let’s think smaller. Let’s talk about through-penetration openings in fire-resistance rated assemblies.

Thinking it “Through”ly.

With the surge of technology, new construction infrastructures are home to hundreds of running wires, cables, and pipes running through the wall, ceilings, and walls of these buildings. As a result, when these fire-resistance rated assemblies are penetrated by one of these elements, the assembly is compromised – regardless of how small the magnitude of the opening. Even though these penetrations tend be relatively small, it still creates a pathway for heat, smoke, and flames to rapidly consume the infrastructure of the building. As a response to this life safety hazard, the IBC (International Building Code) regulated that proper firestopping measures are required for through-penetration applications. For a reference, in Section 714.3.1.2 of the 2012 IBC, it states,

“Through penetrations shall be protected by an approved penetration firestop system installed as tested in accordance with ASTM E814 or UL 1479, with a minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01 inch (2.49 Pa) of water and shall have an F rating of not less than the required fire-resistance rating of the wall penetrated.”

Identifying Where Proper Firestopping is Required.

As this building code adapts to the modern construction scene, it is critical to educate construction professionals on where this code will apply. With 100% of US buildings containing at least one wire, cable, or pipe – this requirement is universal. However, here are some common construction practices that will potentially require firestopping solutions for through-penetration openings:

  • Multi-Family
  • Data Storage Facilities
  • Modular
  • Façades
  • Healthcare (Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centers, Medical Centers)
  • Hospitality
  • Commercial
  • Industrial

Tried, Trusted, Tested, Through-Penetration with Tenmat.

With our commitment to protect the lives and property of our current and future communities, Tenmat has designed a full line of firestopping solutions for through-penetration openings. All of Tenmat’s Firestopping Solutions and Materials are accurately assessed and certified at third-party testing laboratories, such as Underwriter Laboratories (UL) and Intertek (ETL). To learn more about Tenmat’s Firestopping Solutions for Through-Penetration Systems, please continue reading below!

FF260 Fire Protection Block

Formulated to protect openings caused by cables, pipes, or mixed penetrations, the FF260 Fire Protection Block is an optimal solution for a majority of through penetration systems. Composed of a rapidly expanding intumescent foam, the FF260 is able to halt the spread of flames, heat, and smoke for up to 120 minutes. To learn more about this solution, please click here!

Key Benefits Include:

  • 120-minute fire protection
  • Easy retroactive installation
  • UL Classified

FF360 Fire Protection Foam

UL-Classified. Properly fire rates membrane penetrations in walls and ceiling assemblies. Designed for irregular, hard-to-access, and large penetrations. Meet the FF360 Fire Protection Foam. Tenmat’s FF360 Fire Protection Foam is the optimal firestopping solution for through-penetration applications, due to its composition flexibility, hassle-free installation and proper testing certification for up to 120 minutes. Interested in learning more about this advanced intumescent product? See how the FF360 Fire Protection Foam Works.

Key Benefits Include:

  • 120-minute fire protection
  • Quick Curing Formulation – Offers clean application and strong adhesion.
  • Easy Retroactive Composition – Allows for additional wires, cables, and pipes post-installation.

FF365 Fire Protection Sealant

Trying to properly fire rate a small, irregular penetration opening? At Tenmat, we offer a specialized firestopping solution, designed to fire-rate the most irregular and smallest openings, and composed of the latest in intumescent technology. Tenmat’s FF365 Fire Protection Sealant is a red, one-component, gun-grade, intumescent firestop sealant for use in a variety of UL through-penetration firestopping. In addition to its firestopping abilities, the FF365 can be used in combination with other TENMAT products, such as the FF260 Fire Protection Block. To learn about the true capabilities of this fire-rated solution, start exploring here.

Key Benefits Include:

    • 120-minute fire protection
    • Easy Application with Conventional Caulking Equipment
    • Adaptability to fill unprotected openings, regardless of size, shape, and depth.

Take Action.

In the great words of Benjamin Frankin, he stated “A small leak can sink a great ship” – just like how a small, unprotected penetration opening can destroy an entire infrastructure. By properly specifying passive fire protection in through-penetration applications, you are taking the steps to protect our communities from the “scorching” consequences of rapidly evolving fire outbreak. If this article didn’t answer all your questions about passive fire protection for through-penetration systems, please feel free to contact one of our on-site specialists at +1-800-821-3436 or email us at info@tenmatusa.com.

Timber, Steel, and Life Safety: Passive Fire Protection in Modern Construction.

Text Passive Fire Protection in Modern Construction overlaid on collage of modern buildings and construction sites.

Learn More About the Standards of Passive Fire Protection in Modern Construction Practices.

Growing popularity for a major state university. Families relocating to the suburbs outside a rapidly developing city. Going demand for energy conservation practices in construction applications. For the past several decades, the United States has been swiftly developing its cities and towns, whether its repurposing outdated building structures, or constructing new facilities. Resulting from the rapid development, a multitude of modern construction practices, such as modular and mass timber construction, has emerged into the construction landscape.

As these practices appear in the construction scene, it is imperative that building code and life safety requirements are enforced and met. With passive fire protection upholding the safety of the lives and properties within our communities, building professionals and code officials need to properly identify the required firestopping solutions for each construction practice. In response, Tenmat has formulated an easy guide, which provides an overview of current construction applications and its associated passive fire protection requirements. Explore below and be proactive in protecting our communities from the disaster of a fire outbreak.

Overview

Testing 1, 2, 3 – Do You Have Life Safety? Advanced Passive Fire Protection in Audio Applications.

Whether you are installing in-ceiling loudspeakers in a newly renovated home cinema or mounting in-ceiling intercoms in new construction healthcare facilities, it is crucial that a high level of life safety is maintained. When these ceiling openings are left unprotected, flames, smoke, and heat are able to travel at an increased rate – jeopardizing the lives and property of these infrastructures. In response, passive fire protection solutions, such as Tenmat’s Fire Rated Enclosures, are designed to reinforce the integrity of the ceiling/floor assembly – causing the fire to be contained and allowing for additional evacuation time for occupants.

A blend of sound isolation, easy installation, and passive fire protection, TENMAT created the FF109-FRSC, a one-hour fire rated speaker cover. The FF109-FRSC 1 Hour Fire Rated Speaker is a dome-shaped intumescent enclosure which has been specifically designed to help maintain the integrity of fire-resistance rated ceiling/floor assemblies for one hour when penetrated by in-ceiling speakers. In addition, the sound absorbing properties of the propitiatory intumescent material enhance the acoustic performance of the speaker’s housing – allowing for a level of sound isolation.
If you want to learn more about the additional forms of passive fire protection in audio applications, please visit Audio Sector Page.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete Unsafe Facilities: Passive Fire Protection in Data Centers.

In the Digital Age, power-storage and data centers play a pivotal role in the storage, management, and processing of extensive digital information and computer systems. These facilities boast a sophisticated design, incorporating multiple storage devices, solid-state drives, and optical storage to cater to diverse and high-level client demands.

Given the substantial volume of through-penetration applications in these facilities, involving various electrical cables and wires, Tenmat has developed several UL Classified firestopping solutions to meet these specific demands. The FF160 Fire Protection Plug, a two-hour through-penetration firestop system, can be retrofitted within power and control cables, telecommunications cables, and optical fiber cables through solid floors or systems. UL Classified for a maximum of 60% cable fills in openings up to 5” diameter in concrete, this solution is easily customizable, making it ideal for power-generating energy stations. Additionally, our FF260 Fire Protection Block, a preformed, intumescent firestop block, is formulated to seal penetrations with cables, cable trays, cable bundles, metal pipes, and mixed penetrations, ensuring flame spread and smoke are halted for 120 minutes.

To gain additional knowledge about implementing the correct forms of passive fire protection into date centers, please visit Data Center Sector Page.

Educating Building Professionals About Advanced Firestopping Solutions in Educational Institutions.

Educational buildings, such as elementary and high schools (K12), university lecture halls, and vocational schools, are the starting grounds for the development of our current and future generations. One of the primary and most profound significances of passive fire protection is its capacity to save lives. In the unfortunate event of a fire outbreak, passive fire protection measures, such as fire-resistant materials, doors, and enclosures, act as a barrier, containing the spread of flames and smoke. This containment provides vital time for evacuation procedures to take place, ensuring the safety of students and staff. It is imperative to remember that in the chaotic atmosphere of a fire, seconds can make a crucial difference.

With T-Bar ceilings being fairly normalized in educational facilities, it is essential to develop a firestopping solution, which accommodates this life safety hazard. In line with the industry’s norm of suspended “T-Bar” ceilings, Tenmat engineered the FF130 – 2’ x 2’ and FF130 – 2’x4’ – a UL one-hour, fire-rated enclosure designed for troffer luminaires. With its ability to cater to any luminaire, regardless of any model or/and manufacturer, the FF130 – 2’ x 2’ and 2’ x 4’ allows architects and developers to choose their preferred lighting choice. Additionally, the flexible and lightweight nature of these covers allows for installation quickly and easily, significantly reducing labor costs compared to dry-walled box constructions.

Further educate yourself about the role passive fire protection plays in educational buildings by exploring the following link: Education Sector Page.

Creating the Equilibrium: Passive Fire Protection and Energy Conservation Solutions for Façade Systems.

In modern construction practices, the incorporation of external cladding and ventilated rainscreen systems have skyrocketed, serving as a dual purpose to enhancing a building’s aesthetics and providing effective protection against the elements. However, this innovative approach often leads to the creation of a cavity or void between the cladding and the building structure, a space crucial for ventilation and improved energy efficiency.

While this design strategy brings about notable advantages in terms of energy conservation and thermal performance, it also introduces a significant life safety challenge that demands careful consideration. The resulting void functions as an open chimney, posing a serious threat to the building’s structural integrity and the safety of its occupants. In the event of a fire this void becomes a conduit, allowing flames to spread rapidly both vertically and horizontally throughout the building.

In response to the massive life safety risks associated with this application, building codes, such as the 2022 NYC Building Code, has taken a proactive stance by identifying the challenges posed by concealed draft openings, both in vertical and horizontal orientations, within structures constructed using both combustible and noncombustible materials.
Tenmat’s FF102/50 Fire Blocks for rain screen systems are highly expansive intumescent fire blocks offering industry leading performance as Ventilated Cavity Fire Barriers / ‘Open State’ Cavity Fire Barriers and Façade Fire Block. The products have undergone extensive fire testing, including NFPA285, and are suitable for use within many construction types, enabling the versatile system to be specified with confidence and provide the installer with a simple, time saving and site friendly solution.

Expand your knowledge about the building code requirements and available solutions for façade systems by visiting Facades Sector Page.

A Band-Aid Won’t Fix the Aftermath: Implementing Passive Fire Protection in Healthcare Facilities.

Healthcare facilities play a vital role in our communities, serving as essential hubs for medical care, healing, and wellness. These facilities often cater to individuals who may have limited mobility, cognitive impairments, or other medical conditions that hinder their ability to respond quickly to a fire outbreak. Passive fire protection acts as a critical line of defense by compartmentalizing fires and preventing the rapid spread of flames, heat, and smoke. This containment allows for more time for evacuations, reduces the risk of smoke inhalation, and provides a safer environment for both residents and healthcare staff.

With a large-scale sanitary drainage and electrical wiring system within a healthcare facility, through-penetration is one of the key openings for flames and smoke, in the unfortunate event of a fire outbreak. As a result, Tenmat offers a full line of fire-rate solutions, designed for the small, irregular openings of through-penetration applications. Tenmat’s UL-Listed FF160 Fire Protection Plug is a flexible and lightweight material – ideal for retrofitting installation, as well as new construction of power and control cables, telecommunication cables, and optical fiber cables through sold floors or ceiling systems. For even smaller, irregular openings, Tenmat’s FF360 Fire Protection Foam can fire-rate irregular, hard-to-access, and large penetrations fast and effectively.

To broaden your understanding about the correct forms of passive fire protection required in healthcare facilities, please visit Healthcare Sector Page.

Shopping for Life Safety? Discover Various Forms of Passive Fire Protection in Hospitality Structures.

From luxury, all-inclusive resorts to your local shopping mall, the significance of maintaining high levels of life safety is crucial. With large volumes of people underneath a single structure, the outbreak of a fire possesses the potential to be catastrophic; therefore, implementing various forms of passive fire protection is essential.

Passive fire protection systems, such as TENMAT’s intumescent materials and solutions, serve as the first line of defense by containing fires, allowing more time for evacuation, and minimizing property damage. This not only protects the lives of guests and staff, but also helps preserve the reputation and financial stability of the hospitality industry. TENMAT offers a wide range of pre-designed solutions to reinforce the compromised integrity of fire-resistance rated ceiling assemblies in hospitality and retail applications.

With the affordability and design freedom of LED downlights, hospitality structures have grown to include these type of lighting fixtures in renovations and new construction of this form of application. TENMAT’s 109-200 and FF109-250s are designed to accommodate the future of lighting – LED downlights and with this solution’s retrofitting capabilities, it accommodates the bustling environments of hospitality and retail environments.

To discover more about the appropriate passive fire protection in hospitality structures, please visit Hospitality Sector Page.

The Age of Industrialization and Life Safety: Implementing Firestopping Technology in Industrial and Commercial Applications.

Whether you are developing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for a growing industry leader, or building additional warehouses for a consumer good giant, the importance of protecting its occupants and property is critical. In the unfortunate event of a fire, the lives of the structure’s employees and the physical assets of the facility are in danger of being consumed by smoke and flames. With the implementation of passive fire protection, it provides additional time for building occupants to evacuate, and an increased response time for first responders to extinguish the fire outbreak.

Many of these applications have irregular, hard-to-access, and/or small penetrations, which poses a threat when an outbreak of a fire occurs. These small, irregular openings allow for the flames, heat, and smoke to travel faster within a building, causing the number of lives and costly property damage to significantly increase. In response, Tenmat has formulated a line of pre-made solutions that cater to these irregular, hard-to-access openings.

Tenmat offers a wide range of pre-designed solutions to reinforce the compromised integrity of fire-resistance rated drywall or concrete wall and/or ceiling assemblies in industrial and commercial applications. Whether you are trying to fire-rate power and control cables, telecommunication cables, optical fiber cables, cable trays, cable bundles, metal pipes, or/and mixed penetrations, Tenmat offers a readily available solution.

To explore further about advanced passive fire protection for industrial and commercial applications, please visit Commercial Sector Page.

Master the Trade of Mass Timber and Passive Fire Protection Technology.

In recent years, the push for a smaller carbon footprint and faster lead times in construction practices resulted in the development of mass timber. Mass timber construction is built using a category of engineered wood products typically made of large, solid wood panels, columns or beams often manufactured off-site for load-bearing wall, floor, and roof construction. It offers sustainability, design flexibility, efficiency, structural performance, and myriad other advantages position it as a frontrunner in the movement towards more responsible and eco-conscious building practices.

For joint and gap sealing applications in mass timber, cross-laminated timber (CLT), and glulam, Tenmat has developed a line of state-of-the-art intumescent materials and solutions, each designed with the capability to be versatile in various applications. Tenmat’s FIREFLY 107 is an exceptionally powerful intumescent which combines fast reaction with high expansion and pressure generation – producing a solid char of good integrity. With its composition, the FF107 is applicable in construction joints and gaps. If the application requires a highly flexible firestopping material, Tenmat’s Firefly 104E is the optimal building block for this function. Its flexible nature allows for its ability to be applied into door and glazing seals, door hardware and ironmongery protection, damper seals, gap sealing or a variety of gasketing applications.

To gain additional knowledge about implementing the correct forms of passive fire protection into mass timber structures, please visit Mass Timber Sector Page.

Be The Role Model in Off-Site Construction: Explore the Demand for Passive Fire Protection in Modular Construction Practices.

Over the past several years, there has been a sharp increase in demand for more effective and efficient building processes within the construction industry. This heightened demand primarily stems from the limitations associated with traditional construction practices, including issues related to safety, construction quality, and project timelines. The answer to this problem is modular or off-site construction.

Modular, or off-site, construction practices have an assortment of benefits, compared to traditional construction practices; however, the demand for passive fire protection is equivalent to the demands in traditional construction practices. By building in passive fire protection at the point of manufacture, off-site structures offer builders a vast range of benefits making final construction an easier task.

From edge protection to through penetration, Tenmat offers “no build” UL fire-tested solutions, which have the ability to be installed in a matter of seconds and the flexibility to cater to the most difficult openings with no additional assembly or tools. Tenmat’s Firefly FF107 is an exceptionally powerful intumescent which combines fast reaction with high expansion and pressure generation. This material allows for an additional thickness for construction joint and gap sealing applications where the high expansion characteristics lead to economical material usage. If you are seeking to fire rate smaller wall penetrations, Tenmat offers a fire protection foam, the FF360. This sealant is recommended for blank openings, metal pipes, conduits, wires, and mixed penetrations in solid floors and ceilings.

To become an expert about passive fire protection standards in modular construction, please visit Modular Sector Page.

Multiply the Use of Passive Fire Protection in Multi-Family Complexes.

Conforming with the standards of implementing energy efficiency and accelerated construction practices, Type V-A construction has taken root in our modern, new communities. With its wood composition, these buildings provide excellent design flexibility, allowing for diverse architectural styles and layouts, making this practice optimal for residents, developers, and architects. Common applications of Type V-A construction include apartment complexes and condominiums. These structures house a multitude of families and individuals, which heightens the level of importance of installing passive fire protection solutions. By containing the smoke and flames, slowing their spread, and providing a longer evacuation period, passive fire protection not only reduces the loss of life but also ensures the integrity of the multi-family structure.

One of the main causes of the rapid spread of flames, smoke, and heat is the unprotected ceiling openings, caused by recessed can lights, LED downlights, and in-ceiling loudspeakers. When penetrating a fire-resistance rated ceiling with a lighting or speaker fixture, it compromises the integrity of a fire-resistance ceiling/floor assembly. Once a fire begins, the composition of the in-ceiling fixture melts within 15 minutes, allowing for heat, flames, and smoke to travel at a swift pace throughout the structure. In response, Tenmat has created a line of fire-rated enclosures, designed to fit over standard recessed can lights, oversized can lights, LED downlights, and in-ceiling speakers.

To learn more about applicable passive fire protection solutions and materials for multi-family structures, please visit Multi-Family Sector Page.

Wrapping It Up

To conclude, it is essential to keep our current and future communities safe from the unfortunate event of a fire outbreak. Here at Tenmat, we offer a full product range of firestopping solutions and materials, ranging from recessed can lights, in-ceiling loudspeakers, through-penetration systems, and so much more. To learn more about our full catalogue, please visit Application Overview or contact one of our specialists at +1-800-821-3436.