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.

 

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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.

A Day in the Life: Morgan Allen

Smiling woman in a got fireblock? shirt with text: Get to Know: Morgan Allen in front of a collage background.

Meet our Marketing Specialist Morgan Allen and learn about her role at Tenmat, as well as what she does in off time.

Give a brief overview of your key responsibilities.

Upholding the position as a marketing specialist tends to have an assortment of responsibilities. From curating illustrative elements for all of Tenmat’s promotional campaigns to tracking the latest trends in the construction industry, it’s fair to say that I don’t have a dull day in my role. One of my favorite key responsibilities that I personally enjoy is creating all of the illustrative elements in our promotional campaigns. Recently, I developed a chocolate bar wrapper for our FF102/50 Samples – like c’mon how fun is that!

If you could describe Tenmat in one word, what would it be?

Innovation. At Tenmat, our entire team is always striving to offer the latest technology in passive fire protection to the nation’s leading construction professionals. From developing a fire-rated speaker enclosure for audiophiles to engineering an intumescent fire block to help maintain the optimal performance and fireblocking requirements of a rainscreen cavity, Tenmat always strives to be one step ahead when it comes to enforcing life safety.

What does a typical day look like in the office?

Honestly, the best part of my job is every day different; however, the one consistent thing is making sure I have my second cup of coffee. Even though one day, I will be designing our next exhibition banner or organizing a live webinar with my colleague, Mirka – I religiously check my emails first thing every morning and review Tenmat’s social media feeds. Other than that, my day is filled with endless possibilities – but it is definitely always exciting.

During your time at Tenmat, what has been your favorite core memory?

One of my favorite core memories is visiting our headquarters in Irlam, UK and sister company, Permali in Gloucester – which I will note this was my first time traveling aboard. From getting a grand tour of our full-scale factory to simply meeting my team in person, it is simply a story I love to talk about again and again. I look forward to the next time I can give my team a visit – hopefully, in the near future!

And lastly, what do you like to do in your spare time?

If you know anything about me, I am an avid music lover, and genre does not matter. Some of my favorite concert highlights include Fall Out Boy, Rascal Flatts, The Weeknd, and most importantly, Bring Me the Horizon. Questioning my dedication to music? Once, I drove from Delaware to Pontiac, MI to see several of my favorite bands – which was 18-hour road trip.

Get to Know Tenmat’s Charles “Charlie” Alfieri

Man in a pink shirt stands at a Tenmat booth with display items; text reads Get to Know: Charlie Alfieri.
Today, we sat down with the man, who can be in three different places at once, Tenmat’s Sales Manager – Charles “Charlie” Alfieri. Whether he is exhibiting at this month’s Fire Protection trade show or connecting with our loyal customers on active job sites, Charlie is always on the go. However, he was able to allocate some of his time to sit down with us today and share his experience in the industry, his daily routine, and what he enjoys doing in his downtime.

Fire Protection

Passive Fire Protection Products are ideally installed in critical junctions of both walls and ceilings, sitting idle, unless called upon by heat or fire to react and expand.  Products like Tenmat’s Ventilated Fire Barriers (FF102-50) are low profile intumescent strips, applied directly to exterior walls, behind the cladding in rainscreen assemblies. Because of the thin profile of the FF102-50 the cavity is still open, allowing for drainage and airflow, which is critical for the performance of rainscreen assemblies.

Charlie Alfieri 

Sales Manager – Fire Protection

Get to Know Charlie Alfieri

Well, to start off this conversation, how long have you been with Tenmat?

 I have been with Tenmat for about 20 years now.

Wow, 20 years. Well, out of those 20 years, what is one piece of information you would give to someone on their first day at Tenmat?
The best piece of advice I could give to someone on their first day at Tenmat would be to be patient with themselves while learning the many features and benefits of the different passive fire protection products that Tenmat offers.  Passive fire protection products sit idle unless called upon, so proper product selection and placement are critical in order for the products to work as they were intended.
Now, from my understanding you have been representing the Tenmat name at the nation’s top construction conferences and exhibitions for several years now, what is your favorite memory from one of these events?
My favorite memory from the conferences and exhibitions would have to be from the 2022 ICC (International Code Council) Conference & Exposition in Louisville, KY.  Smokey The Bear was walking around the conference floor and decided to stay at our booth, taking pictures with delegates, and showing off our line of fire stop products.
Other than being known as the frequent traveler at Tenmat, what does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me starts off early replying to emails from the night before.  Then into the office and fielding calls offering products that can be specified and quoted for projects that are going out to bid across the country. Afternoons are pretty busy getting all project quotes out and fielding calls from customers in the field who have come across fire rated assemblies.
And finally, what do you do in your down time when you are away from the office?
I really enjoy spending time with my family, so I spend most of my weekends at the baseball or football field watching my boy’s play.    My daughter is on the dance team, so if I am not on the ball field you will probably find me watching my daughter at her dance competition.

Resolving the “Cavity” between the East and West Coast.

Logos of Tenmat and Facades Northwest overlaid on the background of a modern glass skyscraper.

Learn more about the blooming partnership of the US’s leading passive fire protection manufacturer and the Northwest’s top exterior technologies expert.

Exterior Cladding. Aluminum Panels. Rainscreen Systems. Façades. Recently, these terms have become popular in construction conversation, regardless of if you reside in the skyscrapers of Manhattan or the earthy, modern terrain of the Pacific Northwest’s cities. With its strong correlation to energy conservation and recently adopted energy codes, exterior cladding systems have been an attractive choice for construction development in cities, like NYC and Seattle.

But there’s one recurring issue in developing new façade-based structures – finding a fire-rated solution to accommodate stringent building regulations, life safety measures, and the benefits of energy efficiency. One of the most critical life safety hazards of a façade application is the interior cavity, designed to allow ventilation and energy efficiency, acts like an open chimney, in the unfortunate event of a fire. The void allows the fire to spread at an accelerated pace throughout the rest of the building – endangering lives and property. As a result, a variety of fireblocking solutions have been developed to reinforce this life safety hazard – however, when these solutions are implemented, they block off a majority of the cavity which greatly depreciates the level of energy efficiency, air circulation, and water drainage.

So, the question is “When there is no fire, why should the cavity be blocked”? In response, Tenmat has developed a variety of fireblocking solutions, which have been designed to enable the maintenance of an open ventilated cavity, preserve the energy conservation and building science benefits associated with cladding systems, while concurrently serving as a formidable fire barrier in the event of a building fire.

Here at Tenmat, we specialize in the development and manufacturing of intumescent technology – allowing us to meet the demands of construction professionals, based on application, thicknesses, shape, expansion rate and char formation after heat interaction. An intumescent is a material which reacts and expands aggressively when exposed to heat. In addition, this technology is designed to react and expand to fill all the gaps and changes in an opening, and therefore, can maintain a high-performance fire barrier for an extended duration. With this type of technology, it allows the construction application to shape a fireblocking solution to accommodate its demands rather than the opposing. Furthermore, Tenmat has worked closely with ventilated rainscreen professionals and building code officials to develop the optimal intumescent-composed fireblocking solutions for façade application.

Composed with a rigid, high expansion intumescent, Tenmat’s FF102/50 Intumescent Fire Block are used as fire blocks at slab lines, fire blocks around windows and as fire blocks at changes in occupancy (horizontally and/or vertically) and for larger openings, Tenmat’s VFB+ Ventilated Fire Barrier is composed of a high expansion intumescent seal fixed to TENMAT High Density Mineral Wool. Both of these intumescent solutions are designed to maintain the open, ventilated cavity in normal conditions, but will expand to seal off the cavity gap when exposed to heat. Therefore, the FF102/50 Intumescent Fire Block and the VFB+ Rainscreen Fireblock allow construction professionals to receive the full benefits of façade systems, while maintaining the appropriate level of life safety, in the event of a fire.

About Facades Northwest:

Facades Northwest is an architectural product representative, specializing in exterior technologies. Based in the Pacific Northwest, their primary business focus is to assist Architects, General Contractors and Owners in finding the right product and designing an exterior facade for their projects.

Facades Northwest partners with worldwide producers of building systems, leveraging the strength of each producer, for superior building envelope protection. As a part of the work they do, they provide value engineering, competitive alternatives and market leading technologies. Most importantly, they align multiple trades for specialization and time effective construction.

Specialties Include:
  • Phenolic Cladding
  • Rainscreen Façade Fiber Cement
  • Aluminum Panels
  • Weather Resistant Barriers
  • Structural Insulated Sheathing
  • Thermally Broken Subframing
  • Digitally Printed Aluminum Cladding
  • Sintered Stone Cladding
  • Stone Wool Insulation
  • Louvers and Sun Shades

Tenmat Joins RAiNA: Building a Stronger Future for Rainscreen Technology

Logos of Tenmat and RAINA, with flames visible in a building wall section on the left side.

Tenmat becomes a member of the RAiNA, the leading authority on rainscreen design and construction

Tenmat, a leading manufacturer of advanced intumescent fire block solutions for ventilated rainscreen systems, is excited to announce its membership in the Rainscreen Association of North America (RAiNA).

Modern constructions often require external cladding and rain screens be held away from the building structure to allow ventilation and improve the building energy efficiency. This resulting cavity creates a serious fire protection threat to structures and people. The void can act as an open chimney and allows the fire to spread quicky around the building. Modern building codes, such as the 2022 New York City Building Code, have identified this issue and are now requiring fireblocking in these concealed draft openings behind the cladding.

In response, Tenmat has developed a quick acting intumescent fire block for ventilated rainscreen and cladding systems, the FF102/50. The Innovative FF102/50 Fire Blocks were designed to allow the benefits of the practice of cladding systems, such as energy conservation, air circulation, and moisture dissipation; however, eliminating the “chimney effect”.

In recent events, Tenmat’s FF102/50 had successfully passed the NFPA285 test. The FF102/50 fire block was expertly deployed around window openings and at all slab lines, meticulously adhering to the position requirements for fireblocking material in the updated building code. Under normal conditions, Tenmat’s rigid and highly expansive intumescent fire block enables the maintenance of an open ventilated cavity, preserving the energy conservation and building science benefits associated with cladding systems, while concurrently serving as a formidable fire barrier in the event of a building fire.

With joining the Rainscreen Association of North America, Tenmat is enthusiastic to educate other fellow members of this fire hazard in rainscreen systems and the potential solutions to help protect lives and property, in the unfortunate event of a fire.

Fighting Fire and Sound

Ceiling cross-section with recessed light fixture and Vanco and Tenmat logos, highlighting passive fire protection.

Tenmat announces partnership with A/V manufacturer, Vanco International, LLC

Tenmat is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership between two industry leaders in passive fire protection and A/V, Tenmat and Vanco International LLC.

With a 60-year legacy of serving the AV industry, Vanco International engineers, manufactures, and sells premium audio/video products and electronic accessories that are 100% QC tested from their U.S. headquarters. Tenmat, on the other hand, has been a leader in the development, engineering and manufacturing of intumescent materials that offer advanced passive fire protection and fire blocking capabilities.

Together, Vanco International and Tenmat will be joining forces to provide passive fire protection for Vanco’s Beale Street speakers in a way that has not been accomplished before.

With this partnership, individuals will have a flexible, lightweight, and easy install fire-rated solution for Vanco’s Beale Street speakers.

We are thrilled to be partnering with Vanco International and look forward to the exciting new opportunities this collaboration will bring. Together, we are committed to protecting our present and future communities from the unfortunate event of a fire.

Interested in learning more about Vanco International? Click Here.

Tenmat puts the sound back in fire rated ceiling assemblies

Two blue fire-rated ceiling speaker enclosures, one upright and one showing the inner side, with text above and below.

Tenmat announces new fire protection cover for in-ceiling loudspeakers.

Over the past few years, Delaware-based Tenmat has altered the way builders, contractors and architects deal with the problem of maintaining a ceiling’s fire rating when installing recessed light fixtures. With the introduction of the FF109-FRSC, the range of application of this highly effective product has now expanded to loudspeakers with dimensions up to 10”.

Recessed speakers in ceilings are widely used in residential and commercial buildings.

Each ceiling is subject to fire regulations and where applicable the ceiling construction needs to be fire rated. However, once a hole is made in the ceiling for recessed speakers, as well as lighting, the integrity of the construction and its ability to perform in a fire is reduced significantly. This is the reason why the NEC states in Section 640.25 about Loudspeaker Installation in Fire-Rated Partitions, Walls, and Ceilings:

“Loudspeakers installed in a fire resistance-rated partition, wall, or ceiling shall be listed for that purpose or installed in an enclosure or recess that maintains the fire resistance rating.”

In the past, sound professionals relied solely on custom-building sheetrock or drywall enclosures around speakers to maintain a ceiling’s fire-rating, which is costly and time consuming to build.

In response, Tenmat developed the FF109-FRSC, composed of an intumescent material, which allows for 60 minutes of protection from heat, flames, and smoke. In addition, the sound absorbing properties of this propitiatory intumescent material enhances the acoustic performance of the structure for crisper and clearer sound.

With the product’s easy installation and its resulting labor-savings, sound professionals worldwide value the FF109-FRSC. Additionally, the lightweight covers do not require any additional maintenance and are unaffected by moisture after installation.

The benefits of the FF109-FRSC Fire Rated Speaker Cover include:

• 1 Hour Fire Tested
• Only fire tested solution for retrofit applications
• Easy Installation – can be fitted in seconds – no screws, drilling or additional sealant required
• Ultra flexible (Ideal for remodel and retrofit applications)
• Fits most in-ceiling loudspeakers up to 10″
• Significant Labor savings
• Lightweight (1.5 lbs.)
• Flexible material enables the cover to be fitted around obstructions or retro-fitted
• In a fire, the intumescent material expands 5 times of its original thickness, closing the vent hole and preventing flame spread
• Easy to remove and re-install for light fixture maintenance
• Enhances the acoustic protection of the ceiling
• Maintenance free
• 60-minute fire protection

Tenmat is the market leader in the production of Fire Rated Recessed Light Covers which satisfies the International Building Code (IBC), as well as the National Electric Code (NEC).

Tenmat Fire Rated Speaker Covers are used in various applications throughout the entire United States and Canada; from multi-residential homes to retail spaces, hospitals, and assisted-living homes. To learn more about the Fire Rated Speaker Covers please visit the product page on tenmatusa.com .

Tenmat Inc on the Move

Black-and-white photo of a building with text announcing Tenmat Inc.s move to 500 Water Street, Newport, DE.

As Tenmat’s business in North America is growing, we are also physically expanding and moving our North American sales & distribution center to accommodate our growth.

Starting February 2022, our new address is:
Tenmat Inc.
500 Water Street
Newport, DE 19804

All other business contacts, including website (www.tenmatusa.com), email (info@tenmatusa.com), telephone (1-800-821-3436), and fax (302-633-6838) remain the same.

Please update your records with our new address.

All of our other contact information will remain the same and we are looking forward to continue servicing you from our brand new location.

Tenmat acquires PFC Corofil

Tenmat acquires PFC Corofil Passive Fire Protection Solutions, uniting two industry leaders under the iconic red flame logo.

Tenmat (part of the Diamorph Group) are delighted to announce the acquisition of PFC Corofil, from The Encon Group, effective from close of business on Tuesday 30th November 2021.

PFC Corofil is a UK based, family run business, trading in the passive fire protection industry since 1962. Their reputation, technical expertise and quality of products will be a welcome addition to the Tenmat family.

The addition of PFC Corofil will assist with the establishment and introduction of Tenmat into international markets, as well as new product areas, ensuring that trusted passive fire protection products are available and accessible to more communities.

Tenmat are pleased to have also secured, through this acquisition, a supply agreement with Encon, a specialist distributor of building products in the United Kingdom, that will help to maintain PFC and Encon’s long standing and successful relationship.

“Joining Tenmat with PFC will provide a great platform to further service the Passive Fire Protection market across all customers and markets in the UK and across the globe, both businesses have a strong basis in robust test data as well as a history of innovation.” Ed Peltor, Managing Director

Join TENMAT at WABO’s Education Institute

Red and white Tenmat ad: “We are exhibiting. March 15-18th, 2021 Annual Education Institute.”.

Join TENMAT’s  fire protection team at the WABO’s Annual Education Institute from March 15th to March 18th 2021.

The Washington Association of Building Officials’ (WABO) Annual Education Institute will be held online from March 15th to March 18th and TENMAT’s representatives will be available to answer any questions at our virtual booth. If you are an inspector, plans examiner, permit technician, code enforcement officer, building official, architect, engineer, manager, leader, director or are otherwise working or interested in a safe built community, please join us from March 15-18 online and meet us virtually in the exhibitor market place.  The event offers a virtual meeting room where building safety professionals, code enforcement officials and inspectors go to learn about the latest products and services needed to keep buildings safe and meet and maintain compliance with accepted codes and standards.

TENMAT as a leading manufacturer of fire protection products and materials is proud to join other professionals, such as local tradesmen, architects, engineers, and fire safety professionals to exchange critical information on the latest technologies for building a safer, more resilient world.

TENMAT will be virtually exhibiting and answering all questions about our product portfolio consisting of fire rated enclosures for recessed lights, luminaires and troffers, cavity barriers for ventilated façade and cladding systems, joint seal protection, fire barriers and range of intumescent materials. A large proportion of TENMAT’s business is working with other passive fire protection manufacturers to design, develop and fire test products for them with TENMAT intumescent material as its functioning component.

Our innovative line of UL fire rated light covers for recessed lights and troffers are an easy to install and cost saving option to maintain the required fire resistance of the ceiling. TENMAT’s wide product variety gives electrical contractors, architects, and electrical engineers more freedom in fixture selection as the covers are suited to fit a wide range of recessed fixtures and fluorescent luminaires.

We are looking forward to meeting you at our virtual booth!

#tenmat #tenmatfireprotection #lifesafety #fireprotection #passivefireprotection #wabo2021 #icc #iccsafe #buildingcodes #buidlingcodeeducation