Passive Fire Protection Supplies Ireland: Firestop Products & Intumescent Systems
QBM is a specialist supplier of passive fire protection products in Ireland. We are the Irish agents for the Safire® range of materials.
Safire® has more than 20 years of experience in the fire protection industry. We work closely with contractors, architects, local authorities and building owners to bring you the correct solution to protect your valuable buildings.
Our products have been used on many large scale, high profile projects in Ireland, such as Dublin Airport and Amgen Pharmaceuticals.
All of our materials have been tested and surpassed the highest fire standards. All of our products are certified and backed by comprehensive warranties and technical support.
To learn more about our passive fire protection, we have a dedicated site: https://www.passivefireprotection.ie/
Proud Stockist of:
Complete Fire-Stopping Solutions for Irish Construction
Fire doesn't wait for convenient moments. When it breaks out in a building, the difference between a contained incident and a catastrophic spread often comes down to how well the passive fire protection systems perform. These products work silently in the background, no alarms, no sprinklers, just physical barriers that slow fire and smoke from moving through a structure.
QBM supplies a range of passive fire protection products across Ireland. We stock materials from manufacturers such as Fischer, which have developed, tested, and certified systems for various building applications. Important to note: we supply these products only. We don't manufacture or install them, but we can connect you with specialists who handle installation.
Passive fire protection refers to building elements and materials that contain fire or slow its spread without requiring activation or human intervention. Unlike active systems such as sprinklers and alarms, passive measures are built into the structure itself through fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings. These barriers get compromised whenever pipes, cables, or ducts pass through them, which is where fire-stopping products become essential. They restore the integrity of breached barriers and maintain the required compartmentation under building regulations.
Our product range covers the key categories that contractors and specifiers need for fire-stopping work. Intumescent pipe wraps and collars expand under heat to seal gaps left by melting plastic pipes. For larger openings and service risers, firestop boards and blocks provide protection whilst allowing access for future maintenance. Penetration seals and sealants fill gaps around single cables and small pipes, with various formulations suited to different substrates and conditions. Backing materials provide essential bulk fill for deeper voids before surface seals are applied.
Fire-stopping requirements appear in virtually every construction project, from residential homes and apartments through to complex commercial and industrial buildings with multiple service risers and extensive cable runs. Industrial settings may involve additional considerations around chemical exposure or extreme temperatures that affect product selection. Existing buildings often lack adequate fire stopping and require retrofit solutions that can be installed with minimal disruption, making proper assessment by a competent person essential before any remedial work.
Product selection depends on what passes through the barrier, the barrier's composition, the required fire resistance rating, and installation conditions. Fire-stopping products are tested to achieve specific resistance periods (typically 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes) that must match or exceed the barrier being penetrated. Products should carry appropriate third-party certification, and proper documentation is increasingly expected by building control and fire officers. We supply passive fire protection products to contractors and installers across Ireland, offering technical support for specification questions and holding stock of commonly specified products for quick turnaround.
Got a Question? Find the Answer Here
What's the difference between active and passive fire protection?
Active systems require activation or operation to function; sprinklers require water pressure; alarms require power and detection; and fire doors require someone to close them. Passive protection is built into the structure and works without any trigger or intervention. Both types work together in a complete fire safety strategy. Most buildings need elements of each, with passive measures providing the underlying compartmentation that active systems protect and support.
How often should fire stopping be inspected?
Building regulations don't specify fixed inspection intervals for fire stopping, but periodic checks make sense, particularly in buildings where services change frequently. Annual visual inspections catch obvious damage or deterioration. More thorough assessments every few years can identify degraded sealants or compromised installations that might not be immediately visible. Whenever services are added or modified, firestopping around them should be inspected and restored as needed.
Can fire stopping be installed as a DIY project?
Technically, anyone can purchase fire-stopping materials. However, achieving certified fire resistance depends on selecting the correct product, preparing it properly, and installing it exactly as tested. In commercial buildings, installations typically require trained contractors to perform or verify them and to document compliance. Even in domestic settings, incorrect fire stopping can create false confidence; it looks right, but may not perform as intended.
Do intumescent products expire or degrade over time?
Most intumescent products have long service lives when installed correctly and protected from damage, moisture, and excessive UV exposure. Manufacturers typically state expected service life in technical documentation, often 25 years or more for quality products in appropriate conditions. Physical damage, paint coverage with incompatible coatings, or exposure to chemicals can compromise performance. Regular inspection helps identify products that need replacement before problems arise.