A penetrant is the cause for a service penetration firestop.

Penetrants are the mechanical, electrical or structural services, such as:

• pipe
• electrical conduit
• ducting
• cables
• cable trays
• structural steel beams

which are traversing a wall or floor assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating, thus creating an opening, consisting of the space(s) between penetrant and surrounding structure, which must be firestopped.

Penetrants are typically accommodated by plumbers and electricians, who prepare for them by installing sleeves in concrete walls and floors, before they are poured. In the case of masonry walls, electricians and plumbers tend to be there first and hang sleeves around their piping, ductwork and conduit, where they know from their drawings that blockwalls will be erected.

See also

• Firestop

Fire