What is the term for a device that seals around penetrations to resist fire spread?

• A. Fire stop
• B. Smoke damper
• C. Fire shield
• D. Fire sealant

Answer: (A)

Sealing around penetrations to resist fire spread is handled by a fire stop. A fire stop is the system that blocks flames, smoke, and heat from moving through openings in fire-rated walls or floors where pipes, cables, or ducts pass through. It can include rated sealants, collars, wraps, and other components chosen to restore the assembly’s fire-resistance rating. A smoke damper, by contrast, is an HVAC device that stops smoke movement in ducts during a fire, not a general seal for penetrations. A fire shield protects structural elements from heat, not the penetration sealing itself. A fire sealant is a material used within a firestop system, but the overall term for the device that seals penetrations is fire stop.