Cori-Seal Systems Ltd was founded by Steve Cunningham, owner of Thameside Fire Stopping Ltd.

The issue of missing smoke plugs in the inner perforated lining sheets which Cori-Seal Systems Ltd is the solution, was first discovered by Steve Cunningham back in 2015 when Thameside was invited to survey a school to clarify compartmentation along the fire walls, which was highlighted in the schools  fire strategy plan.

Thameside first noticed the inner perforated lining trays going across the ceiling of the library of the school, then into the assembly hall, corridors and classrooms throughout the school building.

Upon further inspection it was noticed that only the exposed trapezoidal gaps had been fire stopped, meaning that only 50% had been protected from smoke therefore the other 50% had not been fire stopped, which allowed smoke to flood through the internal gaps, dropping down into the corridor as it is cooling due no fire stopping or smoke plugs being installed along the stray lengths above the ceiling. These smoke plugs should have been installed during construction at time of build as explained in “How It Works”.

After the above was identified and following a number of meetings, Steve shares the in-house tests he considered and completed. These are laid out below.

Steve originally considered a solution of smoke chimneys mechanically exhausted through the roof, with insulation into the inner deck. This was rejected, not only because of the cost of installation and maintenance but also included a thought of cutting holes into the roof.

Steve thought about venting from the side walls mechanically, but the runs from the corridor to the existing outside walls is usually a long distance, again, this would be costly due to the installation process.

Realising the above proposals would not work, Steve rebuilt the test set as per manufactures details, (excluding the recommended smoke plugs), where the majority of buildings he identified were missing). Steve drilled two small holes in one side of the steel sections and injected PU foam. The following day the “Concept Colt 4 “smoke machine was run to demonstrate how ineffective this method was. The only benefit to this test was a slight slowing of the smoke spread.

Following this, a further two holes were drilled on the reverse side of the fire wall, with PU foam injected, he then recreated the above test which gave the same outcome but it also lifting the mineral fibre insulation on top of the trapezoidal, this left more air voids allowing increased smoke to enter.

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