A fire penetration occurs when a service (such as electrical conduit, piping, ductwork, or cabling) passes through a fire-rated wall, floor, or ceiling. To maintain the fire-resisting integrity of these barriers, the gaps around the services must be sealed using tested and approved fire-stopping systems, such as fire-resistant polyurethane foam.
As outlined in AS 1851 Clause 12.2.4, routine inspections are essential to check whether any new penetrations have been added, or if existing ones have been modified or damaged. These inspections must reference the building’s structural or fire compartmentation drawings to verify the location and condition of each penetration and confirm that it continues to meet the required fire performance level.
Properly sealed penetrations are critical for limiting the spread of fire and smoke, helping to protect lives and property by maintaining compartmentation within the building. Fire stopping around penetrations must be regularly inspected, maintained, and documented as part of your building’s fire safety compliance obligations.
A penetration register is a formal record used to document all fire-rated penetrations within a building where services (e.g., pipes, cables, ducts) pass through fire-resistant walls, floors, or ceilings. Its primary purpose is to track the installation, maintenance, and compliance of each fire-stopping treatment to ensure the building’s passive fire protection systems remain effective over time.
In order to satisfy the requirements of AS 1851, a register of penetrations should be created (if one does not already exist). The purpose of the register is in conjunction with the structural drawings or appropriately marked general drawings and any associated schedules, to identify or locate all structural elements and penetrations that require periodic (Yearly) inspections.
AS 1851:2012, Clause 12.2.4.2
An inspection shall be conducted, using the structural drawings or appropriately marked general drawings and any associated schedules, to identify or locate all structural elements to determine whether there are any areas that may require repair to an existing fire protective covering.
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