What Is a Cavity Barrier?
A cavity barrier is a fire-resisting component installed within concealed voids such as:
- External wall cavities behind cladding systems
- Voids within timber frame construction
- Ceiling and floor voids
Without cavity barriers, these spaces can allow fire and smoke to spread rapidly through a building, often undetected.
Approved Document B requires cavity barriers to be installed at key points, including:
- Compartment lines
- Around openings such as windows and doors
- At junctions with floors and walls
- At the edges of cavities
Types of Cavity Barrier
Cavity barriers are typically classified by:
- Ventilation requirement (open state vs full fill)
- Installation direction (horizontal vs vertical)
Open State (Ventilated) Cavity Barriers
Open state cavity barriers are used within ventilated façade systems, maintaining airflow during normal conditions while providing fire stopping when exposed to heat.
When activated by fire, the intumescent component expands to close the air gap, preventing fire and smoke spread through the cavity.
PFC Corofil Open State Range:
These systems are designed specifically for ventilated rainscreen and façade applications, supporting airflow, drainage and moisture control while maintaining fire performance.
Horizontal Cavity Barriers
Horizontal cavity barriers are installed at floor levels within external wall cavities, preventing vertical fire spread between storeys.
PFC Corofil open state systems such as COSB barriers are suitable for horizontal applications within ventilated façades, while full-fill barriers such as CCFS are used where cavities are closed.
Vertical Cavity Barriers
Vertical cavity barriers are installed at party wall lines and compartment walls, preventing horizontal fire spread within cavities.
PFC Corofil full-fill systems such as CCFS are suitable for vertical installation across a wide range of substrates, including masonry, steel frame systems and timber constructions.
Non-Ventilated (Full-Fill) Cavity Barriers
Full-fill cavity barriers are designed for closed cavity applications, where ventilation is not required. These systems fully seal the cavity to maintain compartmentation.
PFC Corofil Full-Fill Range:
CCFS (Cavity Fire Stop)
- Stone wool cavity barrier
- Suitable for horizontal and vertical installation
- For cavity widths up to 600mm
- Provides up to 120 minutes fire resistance (integrity and insulation)
CCFB (Cavity Fire Barrier)
- Stone wool barrier for masonry cavities
- Designed for cavities up to 300mm
- Allows compression during installation in brickwork
- Provides fire resistance in line with EN 1366-4 testing
Full-fill systems can also be supplied:
- Cut to specification
- With foil facing
- With integral DPC where required
Fire Performance and Compliance
PFC Corofil cavity barriers are:
- Tested to relevant EN fire resistance standards
- Third-party certified (including UL-EU certification on CCFS)
- Designed for real-world applications across multiple substrates and wall types
The range provides:
- Up to 120 minutes fire resistance
- Protection for cavities up to 600mm wide
All products are supported with:
- Technical datasheets
- Certification documentation
- Specification guidance via NBS Source and the PFC Corofil website