Standard B3 expanding foam is the most common type of expanding foam. There are other types of foam on the market which act in similar ways but have different properties. An example is firestop - FR or B1 foam - which is fire rated.

Fire foams are usually tinted pink to distinguish them from other non-fire rated foams, but they’re all different and have varying functions and properties - make sure you’re using the right one. There is not a one standard does all for expanding fire foams, as they have been tested differently. Expanding foam is a substance made up of various chemicals, including polyurethane. It usually comes in a can, which is either: Nullifire FF197 foam is also well known in the industry and can be used in fire door and concrete applications.Note that these products are very different to expanding foam in a can, and as such have other properties and uses not discussed here. Make sure you’re using the correct product for your project. Expanding Foam Uses In this Bitesize CPD we will be looking at expanding fire foam used for filling gaps between frame and substrate. Depending on the product and conditions of the fire it can also produce toxic fumes causing permanent health damage. I am sure that we have all seen this before: Expanding pink foam squirted into oversized gaps around fire doors

Far better to insist that installation complies with the certificate’s installation instructions unless the installer can prove that their proposed method is better than that certified by the door manufacturer. Claims made in leaflets given out with boxes of expanding foam do not cut it. Expanding foam is not a miracle cure. While it is hugely useful, it should not be used to solve all problems. How many of your projects are fitting fire doors into metal stud and plasterboard partitions? Are all metal stud walls the same? Insulation is hugely important for homeowners, keeping buildings warm during the winter while also reducing energy bills. Fire rated foam is usually pink in colour, to identify it as different from other types of expanding foam which don’t have the non-combustible qualities. When would you need fire rated foam?

Types of fire rated foam

If you need advice on the fire rated foam or sealant you need for your project, get in touch with our expert team who will be happy to help you. As it is non-combustible, it won’t catch fire and therefore won’t contribute to the spread of fire through a building. It is the responsibility of the installer and individual responsible for the property to ensure that the product selected is suitable for its intended purpose. The only way to know for sure is to ask for certification that testing was carried out (and passed) on full sized installations rather than small scale test rigs. Have the tests behind the claims been carried out on a 2.8m high stud wall with expanding foam? While fire rated foam expands on application, it sets hard and will not expand further and seal up a hole when a fire breaks out.

Use (of mastic or expanding foam) is conditional on the mastic or expanded foam having test evidence for the structure that is being used (e.g. timber to concrete, concrete to concrete, flexible partition to timber, flexible partition to concrete). Restrictions apply unless appropriate test evidence is available.* Expanding foam is a hugely useful tool for contractors with many potential uses. Primarily, it is great for closing gaps, helping to improve insulation for buildings. You should also think about how you prefer to apply the foam. While most will feature a straw that directs the contents, others will include a separate gun that you screw the canister into, and which provide much more control and precision. How We Evaluated I have written to many foam manufacturers asking what is the situation with a door frame into a 2.8m high metal stud and plasterboard partition and am yet to receive an answer. We have to draw our own conclusions. It wasn’t well received when I made it,” she says. “The comments are like: ‘it looks like intestines’, ‘it looks like guts’.” Ahenkan was not put off, describing the result as “jolie-laide”: “I made it to make my house look cute.”Compliance Issues: Reputed organisations such as ASFP, BMTRADA, FIRAS, and IFE strongly recommend the removal and replacement of pink foam installations with authentic fire-rated alternatives. The primary concern lies in the difficulty of accurately tracing the product without conducting chemical composition testing. To ensure reliable fire safety measures, it is advisable to opt for fire-rated materials with suitable test data that can be easily identified and verified for their intended use. When pink foam has been used on a timber structure the results will bf foams in timber structure the results will be un achieve satisfactory fire-resistant results. If we had to stand up in a court and state why we had made a decision that allowed the fire doors to be fitted contrary to manufacturers testing and certification, what would we say? It was easier for the installer? A common mistake is for fire rated foam to be used in situations where intumescent sealant is better suited.