Cavity Barriers | Cavity Barrier

Welcome to the Cavity Barriers category at Insulation4Less, where we cater to your specialised needs by providing a comprehensive range of cavity barriers and sealant products. Let's delve into understanding the essential products in this category and their pivotal role in ensuring fire safety and structural integrity.

What Are Cavity Barriers?

Cavity barriers are fire-resistant materials designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through hidden cavities within building structures. They are installed within walls, floors, and ceilings, especially where voids or gaps exist between building components such as timber frames, masonry, and cladding systems. By compartmentalising these cavities, cavity barriers help to maintain the fire integrity of a building and protect escape routes during emergencies.

Timber Cavity Barriers (TCB)

Provided by ARC, our range of Timber Cavity Barriers, available in variants such as Red, Yellow, and Orange TCBs, as well as Party Wall TCB White, plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of fire within the cavity walls of timber-framed constructions. These barriers:

• Hinder Fire Spread: Specially designed to restrict the movement of fire through concealed spaces within walls.
• Versatility in Sizing: Available in various sizes, ensuring suitability for different structural and design requirements.
• Colour-Coded for Use: The colour variations (red, yellow, orange, and white) facilitate easy identification and ensure correct installation in diverse applications.

Practical Uses and Selection Guidance

• Red, Yellow, and Orange TCBs: Effective for impeding fire and smoke in the cavities of external walls.
• Party Wall TCB White: Often utilised in party wall applications to obstruct fire and smoke between adjoining properties.
• Choose the right TCB by considering the construction type, cavity size, and specific fire resistance requirements.

Sealants and Fillers

Explore an array of sealants and fillers, engineered to seal gaps, joints, and crevices, offering varied functionalities such as fire resistance, acoustical insulation, and robust bonding.

Fire Resistance Sealants

Including products like Fire Mate Intumescent Sealant and AC95 Intumescent Acoustic Sealant, these sealants expand when exposed to heat, providing a fire-tight seal, crucial in:

• Enhancing Fire Safety: Augmenting the fire resistance of walls, ceilings, and floors by sealing gaps and voids.
• Acoustic Insulation: Particularly the AC95, offering additional benefits of soundproofing.

General and Special Purpose Sealants & Fillers

Engage with a variety that includes Everflex 115 General Purpose Mastic, Flexible Decorator's Filler, and others, offering:

• Gap Filling: Bridging gaps and cracks, preventing water ingress and enhancing insulation.
• Adhesion: Ensuring robust bonding between diverse materials in construction and decorative applications.

Industrial and Heavy-Duty Sealants

Explore options like Industrial Puraflex 40 Sealant to address needs in challenging and demanding environments, ideal for:

• Heavy-Duty Bonding: Securing materials in industrial applications.
• Durability: Providing a long-lasting seal in challenging and variable conditions.

Pinkgrip Range

The Pinkgrip product line, including options like Pinkgrip Dry Fix, Solvent-Free Cartridge, and standard Pinkgrip Cartridge, is formulated to provide:

• Strong Grip: Offering formidable adhesive strength across various materials.
• Versatility: Ensuring application in diverse construction scenarios, from wall plastering to material bonding.

Expanding Foam Fillers

Products like Fix & Fill Expanding Foam Filler and Fire Foam Hand Grade Aerosol are vital for:

• Cavity Filling: Expanding to fill gaps, providing insulation and stability.
• Fire Stopping: In the case of Fire Foam, it offers a barrier against fire and smoke.

How to choose the right Product

Selecting the correct product requires a thorough understanding of the application, desired functionalities, and compliance with relevant building regulations. Ensure to consider factors such as:

• Fire Resistance: Crucial for structures where enhancing fire safety is paramount.
• Application Area: Differentiating between needs like wall gaps, window framing, or industrial bonding.
• Material Compatibility: Ensuring the chosen product adheres well to the materials in use.

 Installation & Technical Insight

• Measure accurately—the barrier must compress snugly into the cavity.
• Position correctly at partition junctions or every 10 m of cavity wall.
• Seal edges with approved intumescent sealant to ensure gap-free protection.
• Install airflow barriers only where ventilation is critical; otherwise, use full-fill variants.
• Maintain records and comply with NFPA/ASFP guidance for warranties and inspections.

Benefits of Cavity Barrier

• Enhanced Fire Safety: Slows the spread of fire and smoke, allowing more time for evacuation and fire service intervention.
• Compliance with Building Regulations: Meets key UK standards such as BS EN 1366-4 and Part B of Building Regulations.
• Thermal & Acoustic Performance: Many barriers offer insulation and soundproofing benefits in addition to fire protection.
• Versatile Solutions: Suitable for a range of construction types—from timber-frame houses to ventilated rainscreen façades.
• Moisture & Airflow Control: Open-state barriers allow ventilation where needed while still offering fire resistance when activated.

Applications of Cavity Barriers

• Timber Frame Construction: Positioned between studs and wall cavities to contain fire spread.
• Party Wall Junctions: Used in separating walls between attached dwellings or flats to maintain fire integrity.
• Rainscreen Cladding Systems: Open-state barriers support ventilation while offering critical fire-stopping.
• Compartment Floors & Ceilings: Installed horizontally to break fire paths between storeys.
• Service Penetration Zones: Placed around ducts and pipework where cavities might allow fire ingress.