Fire protection in modern construction goes far beyond fire-rated walls and doors. One of the most critical, yet often overlooked, components of a building’s passive fire protection strategy is firestopping, specifically the use of fire-resistant sealants in joints and penetrations. These materials play a vital role in slowing the spread of fire, smoke, toxic fumes, and heat, giving occupants valuable time to evacuate and first responders time to act.
Firestopping systems incorporating fire-resistant sealants are commonly used in schools, hospitals, high-rise office buildings, hotels, and other public-use facilities, where orderly evacuation and smoke containment are essential to life safety. By sealing joints and penetrations effectively, these systems help prevent fire from spreading beyond its point of origin, supporting safer buildings and more resilient structures.
At Pecora Corporation, fire-resistant sealants are engineered and tested for use in firestopping systems. They are designed to restore the fire-resistance rating of walls and floors where they are breached. Any penetration or joint in a fire-rated assembly, whether for piping, conduit, cable trays, or expansion movement, creates a potential pathway for fire and smoke. Firestopping systems are designed to re-seal these openings, maintaining the integrity of the rated barrier. Properly designed firestopping systems can contain fire, smoke, toxic fumes, and even water, depending on the tested design and installation method. This containment is essential for life safety, property protection, and code compliance
Fire-resistant sealants in firestopping systems, work in combination with fire safe materials such as mineral wool or Ultra Block® to provide heat and flame protection. Pecora’s UL-classified joint designs rely on this dual-component approach to ensure tested, predictable performance. One example is Pecora AC-20® FTR, an acrylic latex fire- and temperature-rated sealant that is UL® Classified for use in expansion joints and through penetrations. When installed as part of a tested system, AC-20® FTR helps maintain fire ratings of up to four hours, depending on joint configuration. Fire-resistant sealants must do more than simply fill a gap, they must perform under extreme conditions. Pecora firestopping systems are tested in accordance with industry-recognized standards such as UL 2079, ASTM E814, and UL 1479, ensuring both flame (F) and temperature (T) ratings are met. In addition, Pecora AC-20® FTR meets ASTM E84 Class A requirements, demonstrating low flame spread and smoke development, critical factors in reducing fire growth and maintaining tenable conditions during evacuation.
Not every field condition matches a pre-approved UL system exactly. For those situations, Pecora offers the ability to develop project-specific Firestopping Engineering Judgments, allowing design teams to maintain compliance while addressing unique construction challenges. These engineering judgments are based on tested systems and sound fire protection principles, helping ensure safety is never compromised.
Every building and joint condition is different. That’s why Pecora offers fire-resistant sealants in multiple chemistries, including:
- Acrylic
- Urethane
- Silicone
This range allows contractors and specifiers to select the appropriate sealant based on movement requirements, substrate compatibility, environmental exposure, and fire rating needs, all while remaining within a coordinated, single-manufacturer firestopping system.
Fire-resistant sealants are not just a code requirement, they are a critical investment in occupant safety and building performance. When paired with tested fire safe materials and installed in accordance with UL-classified systems, Pecora firestopping solutions provide reliable, proven protection when it matters most.
To learn more about Pecora’s firestopping systems, fire-rated sealants, and engineering support, visit www.pecora.com.
