Cavity Barriers

Cavity barriers are designed to protect timber, cladding, and masonry cavity walls by inserting a strip of non-combustible mineral fibre into the cavity. This barrier restricts the movement of smoke, hot gases, and fire, limiting their spread within the building. In the event of a fire, cavity barriers prevent fire from traveling through structural voids, thus reducing the risk of further damage and saving lives. These barriers can be installed to provide varying levels of fire protection, with options offering 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes of additional fire resistance 

Cavity barriers are crucial for maintaining the integrity of fire compartmentalization within a building. Installed between different floors, these barriers ensure that fire cannot spread freely between compartments. They play a vital role in protecting both the building’s structure and its occupants. As approved providers of fire protection products, Ignis Praesidium works with top-tier suppliers who offer regularly updated test data on cavity barriers, ensuring that each installation meets the necessary fire rating and compliance standards for each project.

Buildings often include open roof spaces or structural voids, which can provide unimpeded pathways for fire and smoke to travel. Cavity barriers are installed across these voids to act as fire-resistant barriers, preventing the spread of flames and smoke throughout the building. They also help limit heat transfer between compartments, reducing the risk of combustion in adjacent materials.

Cavity barriers are often installed both horizontally and vertically, depending on the building’s design. They are mechanically fixed to a solid substrate, such as concrete soffits or timber trusses, and then lowered into place before being secured to the appropriate fixture. This simple yet effective installation process is particularly valuable in hard-to-reach spaces, such as roof voids, where traditional partition walls are difficult to install.

When cavity barriers are installed in roof and ceiling cavities, it’s important that any mechanical or electrical services within these spaces are properly wrapped in fire-resistant materials to ensure the barrier’s integrity is maintained.

Cavity barriers are critical components in building construction, designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through concealed spaces within walls and ceilings. They provide essential fire safety by sealing off voids and gaps, ensuring that fire is contained, which helps protect both the structure and its occupants.

• Fire-Resistant: Provides essential protection against the spread of fire and smoke.
• Maintenance-Free: Once installed, cavity barriers require no ongoing maintenance.
• Compression Fitted: Ensures a secure fit, preventing gaps where fire could pass through.
• Easy Installation: Simple to install, reducing disruption during the building process.
• Water Repellent: Helps maintain performance in various environmental conditions.
• Long-Lasting Fire Protection: Up to 120 minutes of fire resistance, enhancing safety.

Design: These barriers are designed to allow for ventilation and drainage in normal conditions.    

Fire Performance: When exposed to fire, they expand rapidly, sealing the cavity and preventing the vertical spread of flames and smoke.    

Common Applications: Rainscreen cladding systems, where ventilation is crucial for moisture management. 

Design: These barriers are designed to completely seal the cavity, creating a fire barrier. 

Fire Performance: They maintain their fire-resistant properties throughout their lifespan, preventing the spread of fire and smoke. 

Common Applications: Solid wall constructions where ventilation is not required.