Most services in high rise buildings feed various floors via a vertical riser which, unless contained within a fire resistant shaft, requires sealing at each floor level. These are often large areas, accessible by doors to enable maintenance personnel to gain access to equipment and services. Horizontal penetration seals must therefore be capable of withstanding, at the very least, the point load of a ladder and a maintenance engineer with a full load of tools.
Different materials and systems obviously provide different physical properties and it is therefore very difficult to provide a definitive method for supporting such seals. Generally, support is achieved by fitting a secured metal grid system under the penetration seal, or by fitting reinforcement within the thickness of the material. When specifying a load-bearing seal, it is always better to specify the anticipated loading requirement. The relevant seal can thus be designed accordingly..
Please also refer to the test of Euro Standard EN 1366: Part 5 relating to the use of seals for service shafts and ducts.
