GRP Riser Protection and Fire Stopping in Multi-Storey Buildings
Riser voids in multi-storey buildings need to combine access for building services with fire separation requirements between floors. Here we cover how GRP is used as riser protection and what needs to be verified.
Summary
- Riser voids in multi-storey buildings often need to combine access for building services with fire separation requirements between floors.
- GRP-based riser protection offers a lightweight solution that can also meet documented fire requirements for the specific void.
- Penetrations for pipework, cables and other services must be managed without compromising the void's fire-separating function.
- An international reference project (Shard Place, London) shows how a complex triangular riser void spanning 26 storeys was solved using GRP throughout the building.
- The fire requirement for riser protection must always be verified for the specific structure by the project's fire engineer, not assessed from the product's material class alone.
Why riser voids present a particular fire engineering challenge
Vertical voids running through a building represent a potential route for fire and smoke to spread between floors if not correctly fire-separated. Penetrations for pipework, cables and other services must be sealed using approved methods so as not to break the void's fire-separating function.
GRP as a riser protection solution
GRP's low weight simplifies installation across multiple floors, particularly when retrofitting existing buildings where heavier materials would require more extensive handling equipment. Combined with the right resin system, the product can achieve a documented reaction-to-fire classification to EN 13501-1.
Penetrations and services without compromising fire requirements
Any penetration for pipework, cables or other services in a fire-classified riser void must be sealed using a method approved for the specific structure. This should always be coordinated with the project's fire engineer before the work is carried out.
Example from practice — Shard Place
At one of London's major property developments, a complex triangular riser void was solved across all 26 storeys, with penetrations for building services completed without compromising the void's fire safety. Read more among our international reference projects.
Important to verify before design is finalised
A product's reaction-to-fire classification to EN 13501-1 is not the same as a structure's fire resistance. Read our guide to GRP fire classification for the difference, and always verify the specific riser void's fire requirement with the project's responsible fire engineer.
Frequently asked questions
Is GRP riser protection automatically fire classified?
No. The fire requirement for a riser void must be verified for the specific structure and penetrations by the project's fire engineer.
Can penetrations be made later for new services?
It depends on the structure's original fire verification. Any changes to a fire-classified riser void should be approved by the responsible fire engineer before work is carried out.
Does GRP suit tight or complex-shaped riser voids?
Yes, the material's light weight and ability to be custom-processed make it well suited to complex geometries, as shown in the Shard Place reference project where a triangular void was solved across 26 storeys.
Who is responsible for verifying the fire performance of the riser void?
Byggkomposit can provide product documentation, but the final fire requirement and verification of the complete structure are handled by the project's responsible fire engineer and structural engineer.
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