Firestopping is an essential element of building safety, serving as a fundamental part of passive fireproofing. This passive fire protection method involves sealing openings and joints between walls and floors with fire-resistant materials. These materials help prevent the spread of fire between compartments within a building, providing protection where it’s most needed.
By creating barriers around openings, such as where pipes, wires, or ducts pass through walls and floors, firestopping limits the spread of fire and smoke to a specific area. By containing the fire to its point of origin, firestopping helps protect the building’s structural integrity, giving occupants more time for safe evacuation. This also reduces the risk of extensive fires and gives firefighters a better chance of effectively controlling a fire.
The Dynamic Duo: Metacaulk 150+ Sealant and Joint Strip
Balco’s Metacaulk 150+ Sealant and Joint Strip offer a versatile and efficient solution for various firestopping needs. Appropriately referred to as the “Dynamic Duo,” these products simplify the firestopping process and meet the highest safety standards.
Metacaulk 150+ is a water-based firestop sealant with elastomeric and intumescent properties designed for various applications, including through penetrations and construction joints. It works effectively with materials such as concrete, gypsum, wood, and CMU. When exposed to heat and flames, this sealant expands, stretches, and maintains the bond from the penetrating item or joint to the structure, resulting in a protective seal blocking heat, flames, and smoke away from adjacent areas.
Complementing the Metacaulk 150+ is the Matacaulk’s Joint Strip, a flexible, pre-cured intumescent roll. The Joint Strip is designed to address various joint types, including control, expansion, and tilt-up precast conditions. When used together, these products also allow for larger through penetrations in non-metallic pipes, expanding from 2-inch to 6-inch diameters for a more effective installation.
Versatility in Firestop Applications
The Dynamic Duo of Metacaulk 150+ and Joint Strip addresses various firestop applications, offering solutions for:
Through Penetrations:
- Metallic pipes (cast iron, copper, flexible metal)
- Non-metallic pipes (PVC, CPVC, HDPE)
- Insulated pipes (mineral fiber, glass fiber, EPDM insulation)
Construction Joints:
- Head-of-wall joints
- Wall-to-wall joints
- Floor-to-wall joints
- Tilt-up precast concrete joints
By offering a comprehensive solution for both penetrations and joints, Metacaulk 150+ and Joint Strip simplify the firestopping process, saving contractors time and money while ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations.
Tested and Proven Firestop Performance
Metacaulk 150+ and Joint Strip have been rigorously tested, earning over 350 UL listings and meeting the highest fire protection standards. They comply with International Building Codes (IBC), ASTM standards, the International Fire Code (IFC), NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, and Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) standards.
These products also meet environmental regulations, including the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, ensuring they are free from harmful substances that could pose long-term risks to both people and the environment.
Testing for Reliability
Metacaulk 150+ and Joint Strip undergo extensive testing to ensure their reliability and performance, including:
- Hose Stream Testing: Simulating high-pressure water streams after fire exposure, this test evaluates the products’ ability to withstand physical stress while maintaining firestopping effectiveness, an essential feature for firefighting scenarios.
- Cycling Tests: These tests replicate building movements, such as thermal expansion and contraction, to ensure that the products maintain integrity in dynamic environments.
Additionally, Metacaulk 150+ and Joint Strip are chemically compatible with common construction materials, so they can be used safely without damaging sensitive components, such as CPVC pipes.
A Field-Friendly Firestopping Solution
The versatility and simplicity of Metacaulk 150+ and Joint Strip provide significant benefits for contractors:
- Simplicity and Cost-Effectiveness: By addressing both penetrations and joints with just two products, these solutions reduce the number of firestop materials needed on-site, leading to faster installation times and fewer logistical challenges.
- Multiple Packaging Options: Metacaulk 150+ is available in tubes, sausages, and pails, with red and gray color options to meet aesthetic and functional needs.
- Long Shelf Life and Wide Storage Temperatures: Metacaulk 150+ offers excellent storage capabilities and practical durability, making it a reliable go-to solution for firestopping in construction projects.
The Dynamic Duo for Modern Firestopping
Balco’s Metacaulk 150+ and Joint Strip offer a comprehensive and reliable firestop solution that simplifies the process for contractors while ensuring the highest building safety and compliance levels. For more information about MetaCaulk products and how they can support your firestopping needs, visit www.balcousa.com.