Your professional guide to prevent house fires with Loctite’s Fire Block Foam

Fires can spread quickly through gaps and holes in walls and ceilings. These gaps can also fuel fires by allowing unrestricted flow of air. Properly sealing these openings can stop or slow the spread of flames, gases, and smoke.

Fire blocking involves using various approved materials to slow or stop the spread of fire from one area to the next. It not only eliminates drafts but also ensures a structure is following applicable safety codes.

Fire blocking regulations mostly apply to new constructions. However, if you are running cables and pipes through a plate, adding a new room, or refinishing a basement, you will need to add a fire barrier.

Fire blocking is a must due to the extensive renovations made in the 2nd Chance House. In this article, Fine Home Building pros Tyler Grace and Glenn Mathewson explain the process of fire blocking the previously condemned house to bring it up to code.   

Before you start fire-blocking any holes and gaps between rooms and floors, you must have the right supplies. To get the job done, code expert Glenn Mathewson insists on having the following materials and tools:

• Safety goggles
• Safety gloves
• Step ladder
• Loctite Fire Block Foam

Having all these supplies before you start will ensure you enjoy a smooth working process.

Loctite Fire Block Foam is an excellent option for fire-blocking applications. It is specifically designed to seal gaps around wires that can cause fires with defective wiring installation.  The product is fire-rated and tested to ensure adequate performance. The foam’s bright orange color also makes it easily identifiable during inspections. This product is capable of filling gaps between ¼ and 1 inch and is designed for indoor and outdoor use. In addition to fire blocking, this foam can also be used to seal pest entry points.

Glenn Mathewson follows a step-by-step process when fire blocking small gaps and holes around the 2nd Chance House. The following is a breakdown of his refined process.

1. Identify common fire-blocking locations. Start by looking for small gaps and openings around plumbing, electrical wires, cables, and HVAC, leading from one room to another or one floor to the next. Common locations for fire blocking include:

• Wires, cables, and pipes
• Bathroom or kitchen soffits
• Utility chases in the attic and basement
• Framing standoffs along stone chimneys
• Plumbing trap holes
• Attic hatches 

While this is not an exhaustive list, fire blocking any small gaps along these areas will go a long way toward air-sealing your home and help stop or slow the spread of flames in the event of a fire. Remember to put on your safety goggles and gloves before you start working on this project.

2. Prepare the workspace. Once you have all the necessary supplies, prepare the work area. Always clear any dust and debris from any surfaces that will come into contact with the fire block insulating foam. Failure to do so will result in a weak bond between the foam and the surfaces in question.

Glenn cleans all work surfaces before applying the foam to ensure that the bonds are strong and long-lasting. You can use a damp cloth or vacuum cleaner with a crevice attachment to remove dirt and dust from the gaps you will be sealing.    

3. Apply fire block foam. Always take great care when applying foam around openings and gaps. To ensure that all gaps are completely airtight, Glenn takes his time during the foam application process. He starts by shaking the can of Loctite Fire Block Foam (for about a minute) before installing the application straw.

After ensuring he can see the wall or ceiling penetration clearly from all sides, he proceeds with the sealing. He positions the end of the straw into the opening and applies a 1/3 bead of foam along the gap or around the opening/hole. Since this foam expands, Glenn moves slowly, watching it grow in size to see whether it completely covers the opening. For larger gaps, he makes a second pass to ensure the openings are perfectly sealed.

Once you seal a hole, avoid cutting or shaving any excess foam protruding from the opening. According to Glenn, the fire foam must remain intact to maximize its fire-blocking capabilities.

Repeat this procedure with every air leakage point identified. Once you have sealed all applicable points throughout the house, you can be confident that the entire structure is properly fire-blocked.