Glenn Hutchins: Firestopping Manufacturers Support Building Safety and Compliance

Beyond the Factory: Redefining the Role of Firestopping Manufacturers

The traditional perception of construction manufacturing is undergoing a sharp pivot. For years, firms simply fabricated components and shipped them out alongside standard paperwork. Today, however, regulatory shifts demand a much deeper technical partnership. Glenn Hutchins, Technical Client Relations Manager at Quelfire, highlights how modern fire safety requirements push manufacturers to step into broader support functions.

Because these companies possess intimate knowledge of their own systems, they serve as a critical bridge between architectural design and regulatory compliance. Ultimately, products are not standalone components; the test evidence supporting them and their installation is critical to their overall performance in the event of a fire. Selecting a fire collar simply because it boasts a four-hour rating means little if the actual installation strays from the tested scope of application.

The Power of RIBA Stage 2 and 3 Design Integration

Waiting until late in a project lifecycle to consider firestopping often spells disaster for compliance. Engaging manufacturers early—specifically during RIBA Stage 2 or 3 while mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services are actively coordinated—allows teams to align their designs directly with verified test evidence. If builders lay out openings and substrates without checking these parameters first, manufacturers may lack a compliant solution.

Early collaboration brings all key stakeholders to the table to iron out grey areas while design flexibility remains intact. To streamline this process effectively, Quelfire utilizes a specific four-part inquiry framework known as the ‘what’, ‘what’, ‘what’ and ‘how’ process:

• What substrate will be used? (E.g., single-skin wall, solid wall or hollow core)
• What services penetrate those substrates? (E.g., CPVC pipes, insulated copper pipes or steel conduit)
• What is the required fire rating?
• How are those services going through the substrates? (E.g., direct seal, letterbox or builders’ work in connection)

Providing these precise details eliminates unnecessary delays, enabling technical teams to issue accurate responses rather than vague assessments based on generic queries.

Establishing Clear Boundaries of Responsibility in Building Design

As manufacturers take on more consultative roles in design discussions, project teams sometimes mistakenly assume that supplier liability extends into actual design ownership. Hutchins clarifies that manufacturers must recognize the strict limits of their competence. While firms like Quelfire supply extensive documentation—backed by over 700 tested firestopping details reflecting diverse market scenarios—they do not replace certified professionals.

Manufacturers should be able to support customers every step of the way by explaining their test evidence, identifying relevant systems, clarifying limitations and answering questions about service penetration sealing – but that doesn’t make them designers.

Glenn Hutchins, Quelfire

Project-specific design authority remains firmly with the fire consultant, principal designer, architect, and MEP contractor. By maintaining these boundaries while offering detailed evidence and training, manufacturers provide the resources needed to support smooth Gateway 2 submissions and improve overall building safety.