Investment in additional CNC technology at its Crawley manufacturing facility has increased AIM Acoustic & Insulation Manufacturing’s Fire Stop Block production capacity by 50 per cent.
“This significantly greater CNC capability supports AIM’s position as a Fire Stop Block category leader,” says commercial director Ian Exall. “Earlier spend on further testing means we have one of the most comprehensive ranges of fire tested FSBs in the market.”
Used to maintain fire compartment lines and act as a barrier to the movement of smoke in floors, walls, partitions and roof construction, Fire Stop Blocks are also known as Trapezoidal Fire Stops.
Typically, a Fire Stop Block is installed at the junction of a metal deck concrete floor and a wall that has a fire resistance requirement. The Fire Stop Block is used to fill the space under the floor where it is located on the wall. They also contribute to acoustic performance.
AIM uses CNC technology to produce precision, compression fit Fire Stop Blocks with 60- and 120-minute insulation and integrity options. The blocks can be manufactured to the depth of the required fire rating (100mm for 60 minutes or 125mm for 120 minutes) or as 1200mm long items for cutting on site as required.
Blocks cut from an ablative batt are also available and are typically used where fibre migration from the blocks (or other items in the vicinity of the wall) has to be eliminated, such as in the construction of hi-tech buildings, for example data centres.
The acquisition of new plant and a major refurbishment of existing capacity follow AIM’s 2024 investment in additional test evidence to cover a wider range of applications. Tested to the principles of BS EN 1366-4:2021, AIM’s Fire Stop Blocks achieved IFC Certification Ltd third-party certification.
AIM’s Fire Stop Blocks are available in CNC cut standard profiles to suit major metal deck producer profiles or are cut to customer specifications. The latest CNC technology ensures accuracy even for more challenging profiles with rounded shoulders. Compression fit means sealants are not required for most applications.
“We manufacture Fire Stop Blocks to pretty much any profile, or customer defined dimensions. Indeed, we often get the proverbial “back of an envelope” drawing from which to create the CAD files required for production of the finished item” adds Ian Exall.
AIM’s Fire Stop Block technical datasheet explains the application scope and test evidence. It is available at: https://www.aimlimited.co.uk/solutions/fire-stop-blocks-2/
AIM’s specification team is on hand to advise specifiers, fire consultants/engineers, metal deck system holders and installers, including cladding and bricklaying contractors, dryliners and fire protection contractors.
Part of the Performance Technology Group, AIM Acoustic & Insulation Manufacturing has over 30 years-experience in the design, testing and manufacturing of high-quality fire, thermal and acoustic barriers. The company produces a wide variety of bespoke insulation products to customer specification and a range of standard fire, thermal and acoustic insulation products.