The Intumescent Fire Seals Association was founded in 1982 and is the only trade association dedicated to the science and application of intumescent sealing materials.
Our objectives:
To promote the life safety benefits associated with the use of intumescent and smoke seals & to promote research and development into extending the areas where these benefits can be utilised.
To participate in the development of test procedures for fire protection products in BSI, CEN and IS0 that are relevant, repeatable and reproducable.
Influence:
IFSA has representation on the main fire standards committees and is a regular advisor and commentator on proposed fire related legislation matters. The association has close links with the fire community, including legislators, test laboratories, insurers, certification/approval organisations and other trade organisations.
R & D Activities:
Over many years IFSA has led, or been closely involved with, many research programmes and the development of standard test methods including:
BS 476 Part 23: 1987 (small scale testing of intumescent fire door seals).
A programme of aging tests, monitored by an independent body, which demonstrated that intumescent seals did not show any detectable decline in performance over a ten year period in a variety of controlled environments. Further testing will be carried out after twenty years storage.
A joint programme with the DOE/BRE to produce a standard configuration for fire testing pipe penetration seals, which formed the basis for CEN test EN1366-3.
BS 82 14: 1990 Code of Practice for Fire Door Assemblies, with many references to intumescent and smoke seals.
Cooperation with the Loss Prevention Council for the preparation of the LPC Design Guide, and also various product and performance schedules.
The development of IS0 standards for penetration seals and fire dampers.
The EOTA Committee for standards on intumescent materials and fire sealing systems/products.
Code
The IFSA CODE is a comprehensive design guide entitled "Sealing Apertures and Service Penetrations to Maintain Fire Resistance". This Code of Practice sets out ways to ensure that fire stopping and sealing at all types of gaps and penetrations perform the required functions both in normal use and in fire. Advice is given on design factors, materials, specifications, avoiding pitfalls and encouraging good site practice. Based on the long experience of the IFSA members, the IFSA Code is the definitive document on this important subject for architects, designers, fire prevention officers, building services engineers, building control officers and all concerned with safe building practices.
Technical Information Sheets
IFSA publishes a series of Technical Information Sheets, which are regularly updated, to provide advice on critical subjects in passive fire protection. These provide essential data for all involved with fire protection systems and materials. Click here to view the Technical Information Sheets
Copies of the current Members List are available from the Secretariat. Companies achieving membership have all been assessed for quality management and product performance to the correct standards. Specifiers of their products can therefore be assured of product quality and performance.
Technical Advisory Service
IFSA provides a Technical Advisory Service for all users and specifiers of intumescent sealing products and smoke seals.
The association offers speakers for appropriate professional, technical and industry meetings. All enquiries to the Secretariat based at International Fire Consultants.
