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Questions & Answers about Fi-Block

Question: What is Fi-Block?

Answer: Fi-Block is a high performance intumescent laminate that is specifically designed and

approved for use with Thermobreak tube insulation around metal pipes.

Exposed to fire conditions, Fi-Block will prevent the passage of flames and hot gases penetrating

through fire rated floors and walls providing a fire resistance barrier for up to 4 hours.

Question: Why did we need to develop Fi-Block?

Answer: We needed an approved & certified fire stop penetration solution for Thermobreak insulated

pipes penetrating through fire rated walls & Floors.

Question: Are fire rated Mortars, Mastics, Sealants, and Fire Collars suitable for use with Thermobreak insulated pipes?

Answer: No. Many fire sealants, mastics, fire mortars are only approved for metal, PVC, and plastic pipes,

but are NOT approved for Thermobreak insulated Pipes.

Note: Fire stop approvals & certifications are very specific for certain applications/penetrations;

If other fire stop products are approved for one similar fire penetration it doesn’t automatically

mean they are approved for Thermobreak insulated pipes.

Always ask for written proof of certification. If the fire test doesn’t specifically mention Foil/PE

insulation tubes, it means is NOT approved for Thermobreak.

Question: What type of certifications do we have?

Answer: Fi-Block is fully certified and approved to international standards:

BS 476-20

AS 1530-4

AS 4072-1

Fi-Block is fully certified and approved for the following construction:

Solid Masonry Walls.

Hallow Masonry Walls.

Plasterboard Walls (Drywalls).

Concrete Floors.

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Question: Is Fi-Block approved for other types of insulation tubes?

Answer: Yes. Fi-Block is certified and approved for the following insulation materials:

PE foam.

NBR Rubber ( Armaflex )

EPDM Rubber ( Aeroflex )

NBR Rubber/ PVC ( K-Flex )

Question: Can you use a fire stop product that is approved for Elastomeric foams insulation?

Answer: NO, there are other fire stop products that are only certified and approved for the designated

Elastomeric insulation materials.

Note: Always ask the Engineering Consultant to verify the approvals & certifications of other

fire stop products.

Question: Are there any other important features of Fi-Block?

Answer: Yes. Fi-Block offers the following features/benefits:

Unlike other fire stop products, no metal sleeves are required.

Easily installed over in-situ piping.

Easily installed as the wall is being build.

Question: What types of Fi- Block can we offer our customers?

Answer: Fi-Block is available in 3 types/products to suit the designated insulation wall thickness and

penetration (Wall or Floor):

ST30 – 4mm Fi-Block for use with Thermobreak wall thickness 13-30mm.

ST40 – 5mm Fi-Block for use with Thermobreak wall thickness > 30-50mm.

DC20 – 2.5mm Fi-Block disk for use in the flooring section only with Thermobreak wall

thickness > 30-50mm.

Question: How is each unit of Fi-Block product supplied to customers?

Answer: Each unit of ST30 or ST40Fi-Block is made of 2 layers of intumescent material:

ST30 – One unit (total thickness of 4mm ) is made of 2 layers x 2 mm thick x 50mm

width x length.

ST40 – One unit (total thickness of 5mm ) is made of 2 layers x 2.5 mm thick x 50mm

width x length.

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Question: What type of Sealant can be used in Fi-Block installation?

Answer: FireSound by H.B. Fuller or any 4hrs fire rated Sealant.

Question: What type of Mortar can be used in Fi-Block installation?

Answer: Standard Mortar M3 or M4, or any fire rated Mortar.

Question: What is the approved minimum wall or floor thickness?

Answer: The approved minimum thickness is dependent on the type of wall & floor as follows:

Solid or Hollow Masonry walls - minimum 120mm thickness.

Plasterboard walls- minimum 128mm thickness (each side 16mm x 2 boards + 64mm

steel stud).

Concrete floor- minimum 120mm thickness.

Question: What types of Fi-Block and how many units are required for wall penetrations?

Answer: The type of Fi-Block is dependent on the specified wall thickness of Thermobreak:

Thermobreak wall thickness 13-30mm => requires 2 units of Fi-Block ST30.

Thermobreak wall thickness > 30-50mm=> requires 2 units of Fi-Block ST40.

Question: What types of Fi-Block and how many units are required for floor penetrations?

Answer: The type of Fi-Block is dependent on the specified wall thickness of Thermobreak:

Thermobreak wall thickness 13-30mm => requires 1 unit of Fi-Block ST30.

Thermobreak wall thickness > 30-50mm=> requires 1 unit of Fi-Block ST40 plus one

disk of DC20.

Question: How do you determine the required Fi-Block length for each metal pipe diameter & Thermobreak wall thickness?

Answer:

Refer to the following tables for the required Fi-Block Size & Performance Matrix.

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Fi-Block Size & Performance Matrix Tables

I.P.S sizes (Inches) 1/2 " 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 2" 2-1/2" 3"

copper sizes (inches) 1/2 " 5/8" 3/4" 7/8" 1" 1-1/8" 1-1/4" 1-3/8" 1-1/2" 1-5/8" 1-7/8" 2" 2-3/8" 2-1/2" 2-5/8" 3" 3-1/2" 4"

copper sizes (mm) 13 16 20 22 25 27 32 34 38 42 48 51 54 60 64 67 76 89 102

10 130 139 152 158 168 174 190 196 208 221 240 249 259 278 290 300 328 369 409 250mm

15 161 171 183 190 199 205 221 227 240 252 271 281 290 309 322 331 359 400 441 330mm

20 193 202 215 221 230 237 252 259 271 284 303 312 322 340 353 362 391 431 472 500mm

25 224 234 246 252 262 268 284 290 303 315 334 344 353 372 384 394 422 463 504 670mm

30 256 265 278 284 293 300 315 322 334 347 365 375 384 403 416 425 453 494 535

35 293 303 315 322 331 337 353 359 372 384 403 413 422 441 453 463 491 532 573

40 325 334 347 353 362 369 384 391 403 416 435 444 453 472 485 494 522 563 604

45 356 365 378 384 394 400 416 422 435 447 466 475 485 504 516 526 554 595 636

50 387 397 409 416 425 431 447 453 466 479 497 507 516 535 548 557 585 626 667

Fi-Block ST30 : Fi-Block ST40: Fi-Block DC20: Performance Matrix:

Type Type Type

ST30 250mm x 50mm ST40 250mm x 50mm DC 20 13mm to 25mm ≦ 30 mm ≦ 40 mm ≦ 30 mm ≦ 50 mm ≦ 30 mm ≦ 50 mm

ST30 330mm x 50mm ST40 330mm x 50mm DC 20 27mm to 51mm -/120/- 1 -/90/- -/120/- -/120/- 2 -/120/- -/120/-

ST30 500mm x 50mm ST40 500mm x 50mm DC 20 54mm to 76mm 2.0 HRS 1.5 HRS 2.0 HRS 2.0 HRS 2.0 HRS 2.0 HRS

ST30 670mm x 50mm ST40 670mm x 50mm DC 20 89mm to 102mm 2 units 2 units 1 unit

ST30 1000mm x 50mm ST40 1000mm x 50mm 2 units 2 units 1 unit

ST30 : for use with insulation wall thickness 13mm- 30mm 1 Disk

ST40 : for use with insulation wall thickness> 30mm- 50mm ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

DC20: for use in floor section with insulation wall thickness> 30mm- 50mm ○ ○

○ ○

NOTE: Each unit of ST30 or ST40 is made of 2 layers of intumescent material ○ ○ ○ ○

FRL Performance

Insulat io n wall thickness

(mm)

Pro

du

cts

ST30

ST40

DC20

Tape (Ex. Craft, Vinyl,

AL)

Softlon foam Tape-

3mm

Fire-Rated Sealant

(Up to 4 Hrs)

Normal/ fire-Rated

M ortar

Su

b-m

ate

rials

Concrete Floor Solid Wall Dry Wall

Th

erm

o b

rea

k

thic

kn

ess

(m

m)

Size Size Copper ID Size Condition